Are your properly offset? -  A Wenatchee and Leavenworth Home Inspector

During many home inspections a common issue that comes up is during the exterior inspection is that the door threshold to deck or door threshold to patio offset is not ideal.

Doors thresholds should be offset from 1-1/2 to 6 inches so the interior floor level is higher the the exterior surface level. This allows for a proper waterproof membrane/sill pan to be installed and to avoid wind-rain from getting inside. Often, the weather stripping or the threshold doesn’t create an effective seal, allowing water to pass through.

The issue with these installations is that any water that pools at this intersection can weep under the threshold into the home or allows debris to collect at the threshold. Many times this is causing issues with the interior finishes, subfloor or door jambs.     

Here is an example of this condition. The door jamb has started to rot from water and debris collect at the door threshold.

Here is an example where moisture is wicking into the door and door frame

This can be exasperated in areas where snow can dam water towards the home.

A proper offset would help eleviate this issue and of course all decks and patios should be properly sloped away from the home.

“The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance."

Benjamin Franklin

“Inspecting the World-One Home at a time”

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…