Sometimes, when a door isn’t used very often, little problems can turn into big ones without anyone noticing. That’s exactly what happened on this project!
The homeowner told us they almost never used this side door. One day they walked by it and saw that the trim around the door was rotting and falling apart. It had gotten bad – really bad! The wood on both sides of the door was soft and crumbling, and the outside brick mold (that’s the trim that frames the door on the outside) was completely rotted out.
That’s when they gave Mansfield Handyman Services a call.
When we arrived, it was clear that water had been sneaking in over time. Moisture and Texas weather had done a number on the wood. Both door jambs – the vertical pieces on each side of the door – were rotted about 8 inches up from the bottom. The brick mould trim was in even worse shape.
This kind of damage is common when water sits at the bottom of the door or splashes up from the ground. If the trim isn’t sealed well or is made from regular wood, it can soak up water and start to rot.
Our job was simple:
🔨 Remove the damaged wood
🔨 Replace both door jamb ends (about 8 inches on each side)
🔨 Install new brick mould trim that will last
We got to work removing the old materials. We carefully cut out the bad sections of jamb, cleaned everything up, and made sure the door was still sitting square in its frame. Then we installed new, solid jamb pieces to match what we removed.
Next, we turned our attention to the trim. Instead of using wood again, we used PVC brick mould, a rot-proof material that looks just like wood but holds up better over time. The one we used was from Royal Mouldings – you can check it out here on Home Depot’s website.
PVC trim is a great option, especially for areas exposed to rain and weather. It won’t swell, crack, or rot like wood does – so it’s a smart choice for a long-lasting fix.
Normally, we’d prime and paint everything to seal it up and make it look fresh. But in this case, the homeowner told us they had plans to have the whole house painted in a few months. So instead of painting now and risking a mismatch, they asked us to leave the new materials unpainted for now.
That’s no problem at all – we always work with our clients to meet their needs and schedule. The important part was stopping the rot and replacing the damaged wood before it got any worse.
This repair project came in at $589. That price included removing the old rotted materials, cutting in and replacing both door jamb ends, and installing new PVC brick mould all around the door. It also included all materials, caulking, and cleanup.
For homeowners dealing with similar rot issues, this is a pretty typical cost for a small repair that can prevent much bigger problems later on.
This was a great example of how a small fix can make a big difference. The homeowner didn’t even realize how bad the rot had gotten because they rarely used that door. But left alone, rot like this can spread and even cause structural issues or water damage inside the home.
We’re glad we could step in and take care of it quickly – and now, with the PVC trim in place, that door will be protected for years to come.
If you’ve got a door that’s soft around the bottom or you notice cracked, flaking paint or spongy trim, don’t wait! A simple repair now could save you a lot later.
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