Construction Issue - Rain Splash & My Door - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BrierS · #1 06-27-2006, 09:12 PM

I am trying to find an aesthetically pleasing solution. I have a double French style patio door leading from the formal dining room to a deck. The deck is at the same level as the main house floor so only the threshold is higher. It has been suggested that I cut and remove portions of three or four of the Treks decking and replace it with steel grid. This is so most of the rain will fall through rather splash on the door. Now I can possibly see using aluminum for maintenance reasons but . . .

The deck leads to my pool/entertainment area so other considerations would include bare feet, occassionally heels (no I don't wear them

) some occassional inebriated travel, etc.

Has anyone else seen or used some other type of solution?

t walgamuth · #2 06-27-2006, 09:43 PM

i guess i would rather have water spots on my door than a section of mismatched decking.

tom w

kramlavud · #3 06-27-2006, 10:01 PM

Gutters and downspouts are the best solution to the problem of water splashing on your doors and walls.
Mark

TheDon · #4 06-27-2006, 10:31 PM

maybe you can find a plastic grating?

Nate · #5 06-27-2006, 11:42 PM

DONT DO IT

Grates hurt when your barefoot, even if its plastic

Get some gutters, and can you post up a picture of the surrounding area? My uncle had that problem, but he built a garden next to the walkway (so the water doesnt splash up)
~Nate

unkl300d · #6 06-28-2006, 12:45 AM

Reverse the polarity. ..that always worked on star trek.

Well, how about drilling some small holes along that door front area to drain water build up.
Does the rain drop itself splash up onto the glass or is it the rain drop impact on the small puddles that splash up?

If your town receives very very heavy rain, then its all gonna get wet anyway.

OR you can lay a door mat made of recycled tire rubber. The grooves will drain the water to the sides, pritect bare feet and high heels....

BrierS · #7 06-28-2006, 04:55 AM

When I had the 2-story house built in 1985/86 I had gutters and downspouts installed. Problem with those was winter ice. Possibly today's systems are better though I can't imagine how they would be in my situation. My 2-story gets sun on that side (when the sun is up and available) from early morning until mid afternoon. No trees near enough to load the gutters up. During the winter they were getting extremely heavy, at times, with ice. I took them down.

A couple of reputable area contractors I know routinely install steel grate within the decks on new constructions. But that doesn't mean its the best solution.

If I am not prone to other, more costly problems down the road (sill rot, etc.) I would just as soon put up with the water splash.

Just looking for fresh/other solutions.

Thanks,
Steve

cmac2012 · #8 06-28-2006, 05:08 AM

I put a small fixed awning over a guy's back door because he likes to keep it open even on rainy days if it's not too cold, which is about half the time around here. The top of the door (out-swing, don't blame me, I didn't put it in) was getting some water damage, and he wanted to be able to stand in the doorway during the rain and stay dry.

Might be possible to attach some kind of plexiglass overhang above the affected area to send the over-run out a little further. It can be pretty tricky to keep that sort of thing from looking like hell, though.

t walgamuth · #9 06-28-2006, 07:19 AM

now there are some ideas. all sound better than the grate thing to me. now you will have to figure out if you have room and/or if they will look acceptable to you.

i just assumed you already had gutters.

tom w

Carleton Hughes · #10 06-28-2006, 07:37 AM

Here's how they did it in the old days, sheet brass,just took this pic an hour ago in blinding rain.

House is a 1907 McKim,Mead and White boilerplate center hall,nothing spectacular,the blueprints show no overhang which would spoil the rear line,besides, the rear entrance was always used by the staff & tradespeople so let'em get wet,but by all means protect the wood!

jaoneill · #11 06-28-2006, 10:37 PM

Comment on ice was right on target. You can buy gutters that will carry the weight but the real issue is the water that will back up under the shingles and raise havoc with the lower edge of the roof and cornice system.

One or two story structure? If a single story, the most effective, grief free solution is a false gable (on the roof) over the door to direct the water away from that area. Will also work on a two story but generally not as effective.

Good luck,
Jim

jaoneill · #12 06-28-2006, 10:43 PM

Whatever you do don't have the work performed by the fool who built the deck at the same elevation as the house floor. (must be a real joy when you get a foot or two of snow)

I would also suggest a dedicated capital fund to replace the rim joist and associated components in another 5-7 years.

Cheers,
Jim