How to Replace a Rotten Door Sill
- 1). Equip a circular saw with a carbide tip blade. The purpose for using a carbide blade is because you may cut through unseen nails or screws.
- 2). Set the saw blade depth to 1/4-inch and cut through the door sill as close as possible to the doorjamb on both sides of the sill. Increase the blade depth by 1/4-inch and cut along the same cutting path. Continue to increase the saw blade depth by 1/4-inch until you cut through the sill.
- 3). Place a flat pry bar at the bottom of the door sill and strike with a hammer to wedge the bar under the sill. Lift away the sill.
- 4). Chip away remaining pieces of the sill with a hammer and chisel.
- 5). Sand the area lightly with medium grit sandpaper to remove splinters and the rough texture. Fill gouges with an epoxy based putty. Allow the putty to dry and then sand flush with the existing surface.
- 6). Measure the opening and purchase a new door sill in the exact size. Choose a door sill made from a material that will not rot such as stone, aluminum or composite materials.
- 7). Apply a thick bead of construction adhesive to the underside of the new door sill and position in place. Press down on the sill firmly to set the adhesive.
- 8). Place galvanized screws through the pre-drilled holes in the sill and tighten with a power screwdriver if applicable. Door sill materials such as stone, marble and some composite materials do not require screws to hold them in place, construction adhesive will hold the sill.
- 9). Apply silicone caulk into the gaps around the door sill.
