Frost heave?

[arto98607]

You already know the problem with frost heave is caused by poor drainage in the ground below.
Dig it up, add gravel, drain pipe etc. which ever way no matter, as long as water can drain away - problem solved.

 

[gstrom99]

This is what I have now. There IS a bit of slope, so a drain pipe from under a course gravel doorway channel could work. The opening is 13' x 13', so framing it in to 12' x 12' might work okay. I would move the firewood rack, close off the left door section and put in a 36" walk in service door and put in a roll up door. Like I need another project out here. This may morph into a different thread...

 

[Rustyiron]

Thanks but, if I did something like that, it'd just be filled up with gravel/snow/ice in about a month.

That part is on you, there's no "free lunch" keeping out the critters and weather along with securing your doors in the wind.
Dig it out (deep) and replace the soil with 3/4" or bigger stone for drainage under the door.

 

[Rustyiron]

Good idea, and worth a try!

Definitely! But I'd still use a well draining backfill from the foam to the finished grade.

 

[gstrom99]

That part is on you, there's no "free lunch" keeping out the critters and weather along with securing your doors in the wind.
Dig it out (deep) and replace the soil with 3/4" or bigger stone for drainage under the door.

Sounds like a good plan, which I should do whether I keep the sliding doors or go with a roll up. Thanks.

 

[Rustyiron]

If you're existing doors, track and hardware are in good shape, I'd put the suggested foam, draining/grading solution way ahead of considering an overhead door that I can assure you will be a custom size or require re framing your existing opening and be very costly.
Also an overhead door that's lockable is going to have the similar problems with frost and a similar gap at the bottom.

 

[gstrom99]

If you're existing doors, track and hardware are in good shape, I'd put the suggested foam, draining/grading solution way ahead of considering an overhead door that I can assure you will be a custom size or require re framing your existing opening and be very costly.
Also an overhead door that's lockable is going to have the similar problems with frost and a similar gap at the bottom.

Yep. Think I'll do this first, since the re-frame/new door option is more work than I need to add this coming year. I'll be helping with a pole barn build at the SIL's, starting in the spring.

Priorities here? I need to redo/upgrade the bathroom (and maybe the kitchen ) in the 100 year old farm house before the barn gets a new door.

Oh, the fun stuff we get into living out in the country, eh?

 

[Jstpssng]

Oh, the fun stuff we get into living out in the country, eh?

Just think. If you were living in an apartment you would be posting about how bored you are all of the time because there's nothing to do.

 

[newbury]

Raise the door track and screw on some round baler belting to act as a flexible seal. If there is ice or snow accumulation also blocking the door base, put some water softener salt in the track. Good for 20 deg & above. Or even put a heat tape down there.

I like the rubber belt idea, to try and keep it clear though.

With the other projects seeming more important I'll suggest going with the rubber belt door sweep. But only for the problem door. And make it so it's easy to take off/put on, maybe VELCRO Brand Extreme Outdoor Heavy Duty Tape.

 

[LouNY]

Reducing or eliminating the water from the eves will help and as mentioned a footer down below frost level.