ᐅ Leaky Front Door in a KfW 70 Energy-Efficient House

Created on: 27 Jul 2016 22:53
M
MünchnerKindl
M
MünchnerKindl
27 Jul 2016 22:53
Hello,
our house was completed last year. From the beginning, we had problems because it was noticeably cold near the front door. The staircase is right next to it, and when standing there, you can feel a clear draft from top to bottom. At the end of last year, our site manager came and adjusted the door, but he said he couldn’t do more.
It improved but was still not good.

In spring, we had heavier rain, and then water collected inside the house at the bottom of the front door. The entrance is raised by 2 steps (2 steps), so it can only be from the rain and not from standing water. The site manager explained to my husband that front doors are not waterproof. Today we had the same problem again – as has happened several times before.

It cannot be that water runs inside at the bottom of the front door every time there is a storm.
In addition, we have a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. Shouldn’t the door be sealed because of that alone?
I found something online about "wind-driven rain resistant" and tightly sealed joints. But that does not apply to our door at all.

Best regards
L
Legurit
27 Jul 2016 23:16
Is there water standing inside your house? Why is it standing right at the front door in the first place? You should urgently consider installing a drainage channel, steps, or at least a slope...

From a construction perspective, I don’t think our front door would be waterproof either if water were really 5cm (2 inches) deep in front of it – although I do think it would withstand driving rain.
M
MünchnerKindl
28 Jul 2016 07:59
Hello,
apparently I didn’t explain myself clearly. We have two steps right in front of the entrance door.
There is no water standing outside the door; rather, it is inside, probably caused by driving rain running down and then entering through the bottom of the door.
N
nordanney
28 Jul 2016 08:31
MünchnerKindl schrieb:
There is no water standing outside the door but inside, probably coming from driving rain, running down and then entering at the bottom of the door.

This is a clear defect. This must not happen.
P
Peanuts74
28 Jul 2016 08:42
Would it possibly be better if you lock the door?

Ours pulls noticeably against the frame through all the latch points when locking, whereas otherwise it fits quite loosely into the strike plate...
M
MünchnerKindl
28 Jul 2016 10:37
Hello,
after our site manager adjusted the door at the end of last year, he told us that it would be "more airtight" if we keep the door locked. Therefore, the door is always locked, even when we are at home. Since the adjustment, it has become difficult to close properly. In other words, when locking it twice, it only works if you pull or push the door very forcefully.