Install Door Flashing for your Home
Door flashing was not known some time back. Things have changed now and people have realized how important it is to have door flashing installed in their home. The purpose of door flashing is many, but mainly if you want to protect your walls from mold, pests, rot and any other weather-related problems, then installing door flashing is the solution for you. Another benefit of having door flashing in your home is that it helps to lower your utility bills since your house won\’t have an exchange of air flowing through the doors. You don\’t need professionals to install this, as you can do it by yourself with the right tools. Installation process just takes a few hours to spend. Here are the steps on how to do it.
You will need:
- Peel and stick flashing
- Spray bottle
- Cleaning material
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Dry cloth
- Masking tape
Steps:
- First, remove any old flashing, if available, that is in place. Remove the old flashing just the way it was installed in the first place, as different flashings have its own removal method. This is a very important step so as not to mess the flashing\’s spot while removing it.
- You will also need to cut the house wrap starting at the header with a 45-degree angle. This will create a flap which can be replaced by using a masking tape to place the flap out of the way for awhile.
- Next, take the spray bottle and fill it up with a cleaning material (washing power and water) to clean the place where the flashing will be installed. Cleaning the spot will allow the sticky side of the flashing to adhere better. It also won\’t leave the spot dirty and in this way, it will be cleaned for the new door flashing to move in. Leave the place to dry off after the cleaning process before attaching the flash. Lap the flashing on the door jambs.
- Then, proceed to install the flashing according to the manufacturer\’s instructions in the rough opening of the door. You might want to use the self-stick flash on the side jambs. The flashing needs to overlap the edges of the sill and go down past for at least one inch, and it should extend past the head by at least two-inch.
- Install at least two inches on each side of the door with a drip edge. Tuck the drip edge under the house wrap flap that you made. This step will help to prevent any water from damaging the door\’s heading. Use the peel and stick flashing at the door header by overlapping the edge and the house wrap. In this area, the flashing should be extended at least an inch beyond the jambs.
- Finally, fold the wrap flap over and tape it down to overlap the flashing at the header.
By now you must have already installed your door flashing. If the process is difficult for you, ask for someone to assist you. The process is simple and easy to follow so it shouldn\’t be a problem to have your door flashing installed.
Additional Reading:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-door-flashing
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doortoriver/2993211031/
