Front Door Water Damage

B_Boop

My client finished a renovation 2 years ago. A new front door was installed. The door is now damaged and rotted along the vertical supports on both sides of the door and sidelights. The lintel above the door was never painted and is rusted. Also, a contractor informed her about a "notch" which is supposed to be there to prevent the water from traveling back into the wall behind the brick. I see no notch. Someone else mentioned "weep holes" for her brick,...which I also do not see. She and I live in NYC.
She states she has had a myriad of contractors through there looking at the situation....many of whom are not sure what course of action needs to be taken.
Can anyone direct me on how to best assist my client?...And, how to find a knowledgeable craftsman to correct her problem?

willworkforbeer

Try an introduction first, location etc, you built like Boop?

B_Boop

I have been contracted by my client to assist in her decorating after a very traumatic renovation.
The repair problems seem to be overwhelming her more than the daunting task of decorating 4000 s/f of living space.
Can anyone help me assist her into clarifying the possible alternatives causing the problem above, and how to find a qualified skills-man ...and to be able to recognize the difference? ->
~

OGStilts

Tell your client to hire a contractor, as an interior decorator you are obviously not qualified to assess the problem or to rectify it. As an interior decorator surely you have some contractors you work with on a regular basis don't you? Recommend them to your client. By doing this you are helping your client out and building a better relationship with the contractors you regularly work with.

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dakzaag

Hello Betty,
It is possible you will not get much response here because we tend to eat home owners alive. I will gently suggest you post your question in the DIY section and also encourage you contact a professional mason to look at the problem.

If you dont know a good mason, try a local masonry supply store, they should direct you towards a good mason. Forget about the big box stores, they are probably the source of the water penetration in the first place.

Good luck with your decorationg.

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The maintenance schedule for brick
1. Stand back and say "man that looks nice!"
2. Repeat as often as needed.

B_Boop

She has hired 5 different contractors with many unsuccessful suggestions. I have interior contractors who do work for me. Yes. But none with this field of expertise. I do have some contracting knowledge, and while not able to understand this particular issue, as leaks are difficult for any contractor, I am still able to refer her or add to her and my knowledge base, so she will not get "hosed" any further. She is a single mom who could use all the guidance our resources have to offer. Please do not minimize my attempt to assist her.
Solutions go much farther than negativeness. Thanks.

willworkforbeer

If I waltzed into your office practically demanding free advice that would be rude no?

B_Boop

After careful consideration of your question...I have decided.....um...no, it would not be rude.
Let me explain. I often am asked for opinion on problem areas, and how I would recommend handling certain issues. I spend many hours giving these opinions, and believe this helps me secure the contract. You see, how I handle these problems, or concerns of a client or potential client, enables them to gain a certain amount of comfort and security with my manner and the way I will handle them and their desires.
So, no. I believe how I extend myself to a potential client.....gets me my contracts.....even before they sign on the dotted line...and it speaks to my desire to service them all through the job.
If you consider my question rude, I am sorry. I believed from one contractor to another, that your answer would assist me in better being able to guide my client. And, while it really would not benefit you directly.....why would you answer me any differently than any other contractor on this site?

willworkforbeer

You're a contractor like I'm a ballerina

WarnerConstInc.

Ok fine....

My drapes dont match the rug, what can I do?

After your answer satisfies me, I will see what I can do.

OGStilts

Seriously Betty, I was not trying to dodge your question or be rude to you. I work with interior decorators all the time. If you only work with interior contractors and don't know any G.C.'s at all you are a different breed than I am familiar with. With the information you are providing us, it is hard to suggest any solutions. Without more information such as the architecture around the opening (such as overhangs, windows above this door, etc) it is impossible to answer your question. How was the door and the jamb finished? (FYI the fact that you refer to the jamb as the "vertical supports" makes me question your qualifications as an interior decorator) How was the door flashed?...

I could go on and on with the information needed to better assess this situation but I won't as I don't think you can provide us with the information so like I said before...

Hire a qualified contractor!!!!

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naptown CR

Perhaps rephrasing the original question something like. I am a decorator in the nyc area. I have a client whose front door is rotting. She has had several people out to look but no one can tell her what is wrong. Can anyone here in that area pm me to look at her problem?

By the way the best answer to the survey was omitted All of the above

loneframer

You could be a ballerina

+ YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mYL0N92kC0

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CJKarl

I'm easy going. Post up some detailed pics and I'll give you my best guess. To answer your poll, it could be all of them...or non of them.
How detailed was the artichokes section?
Who installed the door?
I would say the mason would be last on the list because he is just supplying a rough opening in most cases.
Was this a retrofit into existing masonry?

There's no way you can get a real cost of repair without much more investigation.

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http://www.kaufmannmasonry.com/

B_Boop

LOL...very funny guys.
The question was really how to differentiate from one contractors suggestions and qualifications to an other's. All their responses seem plausible. And I am sure if she hired each of them....her problem would still not be fixed.
I only wanted to help her sort through the possible solutions, without her spending a fortune. Her last fellow told her he'd find the leak.....time and materials. I know how costly that could get.
And...If I did pose the question.....anyone in the NY area want to assist,...I am not too sure, from the "beer guy" answered, she'd end up with that great a pool of potential assists.
Too bad you other fellows are not from NY.......as you seem helpful enough and maybe knowledgeable enough to attempt such a complicated water problem.
Maybe I am not winning the bread doing the manual stuff any longer, but I did build decks, lay tile and hang wall paper for a living in my early days.

Yes, I never replaced a door. So I have no clue about the flashing....but it appears to be a one piece door, made of wood, I did not see flashing... only some putty in the seams between the finished wood and the brick morter.
Thank you all for your nice condescending words. I will apply to ballet school shortly.....so, I too can be a ballerina.....instead of the multifaceted businesswoman I have become......Dumb ole' me!

B_Boop

Thanks CJK. I have an appointment there this Friday. I will bring my camera.
Are we allowed to post on this site?
And, do you know anyone in the NYC area who may do this kind of work who u can refer?
Would it be easier for me to just e-mail them to you?
Or do u check this forum often?

neolitic

If anyone wanted to help,
they couldn't without any details.
Your question is too vague.
If any local guys were interested
in looking at it, you haven't added
your e-mail to your contact info so
how could they?
There has already been this parade
of guys who actually saw the thing
and couldn't figure it out, but you
expect to come here and get an answer
in 2 or 3 hours?

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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

B_Boop

OGStilts: Thank you for being nice and answering me the way you did. I have now moved to smaller, less time consuming jobs...yes, drapes, windows carpet and furniture. And, prefer to be called in after the contractors are gone. I have not worked with builders in the last 10 years. The milled work, I sub out. I have my own sheet rock and installers. At this point in my career....I am not interested in pressure.
I guess maybe I've internalized this particular womans problem. If it were mine, having spent all the money she did for her renovation, I wouldn't be sleeping at night! Thanks for your kind words......however, I suspect she is not going to resolve this matter any time in the near future....It's going on 2 years already.

loneframer

Don't sell the Ballerina short, I have a very close friend who danced for several ballet companies before, during and after graduating from Julliard, toured Italy, was on staff at UNLV, danced in a production at Bally's and taught at the Cincinnatti Ballet. She now is co-owner of her mothers dance studio and is the artistic director of a nationally ranked regional dance company which her Grandmother founded. She is also a multifacetted business woman who happens to be a single mother of two.
That doesn't make her a contractor.
BTW, nobody on this planet will be able to troubleshoot a leak like you have described sight unseen, nor would they be able to guarantee to find the leak. It may be that the door jambs are wicking moisture from the doorsill when it rains and there is no leak at all. If you post some pictures of the wall, the area affected by rot, any roofs, windows or other structures adjacent to the door we may be able to offer up some professional opinions.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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B_Boop

TY Kimosabi,
will do so late Friday afternoon, after my visit.
The Former Contractor!......now where are those ballet slippers?