Home Improvement Today?

So what would you do if you just pressure washed your house and found this at the top of the garage door??

 

I’m thinking more dry it out and putty it in then paint over it.
Unless I can just saw out a block and put a small section in without it looking all janky.

I’m just hoping its not dry rot thats going to start eating away the header.

 

Replace the header. Do it once..Do it right.

 

The header is on the inside correct?

Or should I be ripping out my drywall inside the garage to check that its not all like this?

 

you need to replace it. its rotted. probably goes out at least 8' maybe longer. they have some higher grade pressure treated wood that is really smooth or put some cedar in there.

 

I wouldnt do that, you can cut the header back a foot or so, and look at the rot damage, see how far it goes. but in the small picture you have the caulk is seperating from the header letting the elements in causing that rot to accur.

 

is there a seam on the underside where that 2x6 ends or does it go all the way across?need more pics

 

You could also grab a screwdriver, then poke the edge of the header, see if it brakes away or soft, but like said above replace the header. Water has been getting in there for a while to cause that rot. looks like the caulk has shrunk and failed to do its job.

 

Pull the siding above it and investigate. There should’ve been some flashing to divert the water, not just caulking.

 

Hard to tell, but that siding looks like 4x8 plywood panel siding (older style) easier to cut the header back. No flashing is used on the garage header, you can cap it, but this looks older. On doors and windows flashings yes. better picture is needed.

 

There is flashing above it and the header extends all the way across the door.

The caulk has shrunk and has been sucking in water for awhile. The previous owners had their head so far up their butt they couldn’t tell to recaulk it.
I found it washing it to recaulk and repaint it.

 

That 2x that is rotten is just “trim”, just remove it, the header is above it. You’ll be able assess the damage then, probably isolated to the 2x. Add some flashing when you replace it. You will most likely have to remove the leg to get it out.

 

If u do decide to cut thru the header ur gonna want to block it up from underneath lol those things can carry some weight. Hopefully it won’t come to that and the damage is limited to the bottom trim
Definitely flash it in good like @23Skidoo said

 

Thanks.

The header seems solid but you know its always one of those things where you don’t know what you are getting into until you are too into it to back out.

Its frustrating because I’m also dealing with this:


Rotting on the inside of the door... the inside out it looks like.
The joys of homeownership...

 

Lol no doubt

 

A good read.
https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/pan-flashing-for-exterior-wall-openings

 

Wonder where that water’s coming in at?

 

I’d assume from underneath. It looks close to grade and doesn’t have a water drainage system. It’s also an in swing door and is relying on the sweep to keep water out, could be entering that way.