Signs a Sliding Door Has Been Leaking
- Carpet wet near the sliding door, even when the tile beside it looks dry
- Baseboards swelling by the patio door, or paint bubbling at the bottom of the wall
- Dark or crumbling grout in the first row of tile inside the door
- A musty smell near the door after storms
- Rust or stains on the track and water standing in the track after rain
- Water on the inside sill after wind-driven rain
Why Sliders and Lanai Doors Leak Here
- Clogged weep holes: the small drain slots at the bottom of the frame fill with sand, leaves and pool-cage debris, so water backs up and spills inside.
- Worn weatherstripping and rollers: the door no longer seals tight against the frame.
- Failed caulk or sealant around the frame, especially on the sun-facing side.
- Wind-driven rain: strong storm winds push water uphill over thresholds that stay dry in normal rain.
- Lanai slope: a lanai or pool deck that drains toward the house sends water straight to the door.
Who Fixes Water Damage From a Sliding Door Leak?
| Job | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Weep holes, rollers, weatherstripping, frame sealing or door replacement | A door, window or glazing company |
| Wet carpet, pad, tile, baseboards and the wall beside the door | Us: water removal and drying |
| Photos and moisture readings for the claim | Us |
| Drywall, baseboard and flooring repairs | Lined up once everything reads dry |
How We Dry Sliding Door Water Damage
- Check the carpet, pad, tile and wall bottoms on both sides of the door with moisture meters and thermal imaging
- Extract water from carpet and remove wet pad near the door
- Pull baseboards and check the wall cavity beside the frame
- Dry with dehumidifiers and air movers, with readings every day; see structural drying
- Photograph and log everything for your insurer
Keep Your Slider From Leaking Again
- Vacuum out the track and clear the weep holes before storm season, and again after storms
- Replace worn weatherstripping and rollers
- Re-seal the frame where the caulk has cracked or pulled away
- Keep pool-cage and lanai debris away from the door
- Before a big storm, lay towels along the inside threshold and close any storm panels or shutters
Does Insurance Cover Sliding Door Leaks?
Water that came in because a storm damaged the door or frame may be covered. Leaks caused by worn seals, clogged weep holes or old caulk are usually considered maintenance and are often excluded, and damage from repeated leaks over time often is too. See storm leak claim questions. This is general information, not insurance advice.
Sliding Door Leak Questions
Why is my carpet wet near the sliding door?
Rain is getting in under or around the door, usually through clogged weep holes, worn seals or failed caulk, and the carpet pad soaks it up. Call (239) 356-5803 to dry the pad and check the wall.
Why is the baseboard swelling by my patio door?
Water has been reaching the bottom of the wall beside the door. The baseboard and drywall behind it are likely wet and need drying before mold starts.
Who fixes water damage from a sliding door leak?
A door or glazing company fixes the door; a water damage company like ours dries the floor and walls and documents the damage.
Slider Leaking Into Your Home?
Call (239) 356-5803. We answer 24/7 for sliding door and lanai leak cleanup across Cape Coral, plus North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. If the storm also brought water in elsewhere, see our wind-driven rain and storm cleanup.