Failing chemical damp proof course?

[Bruce]

An elderly relative asked me to look at the frame of their front door. It is rotting at the bottom and about 50 cm up. About 12 years ago their house had a chemical damp proof course installed and the door and frame were renewed at the same time. Now it is rotten again.

There's a line of injection points in the wall adjacent to the door. These have not been plugged, and the injection holes are left open to the elements. Is this likely to be the cause of the failure? Is it possible to restore the damp proof course by re-injecting the chemical through the same holes? What should they be plugged with?

Any advice gratefully accepted.

[Phil L]

1) the frame rotting has nothing to do with any dampcourse, chemical or otherwise. 2) the plugs are for decoration only - they serve no practical purpose.

when you renew the frame, give the timber 2 coats of a good quality preserver before it is installed but after it's been cut to size, and don't forget the endgrain.

[NT]

injected dpcs dont do much in the first place, so arent a significant part of the picture

NT

[Cash]

For Phil L,

Or better still use either:

1 Vac Vac (or other) treated timber

2 Replace with UPVC

3 Replace with an IG door and (treated) frame set which usually carries a long guarantee - see:    

[robgraham]

wood windows from a reputable company had been fitted some 8 or 9 years previously. I significant number of these windows are now having be repaired under the 10 year guarantee.

Rob

[Dave Plowman (News)]

About par for the course for 'ordinary' untreated wood.

[Bruce]

will choose. UPVC isn't an option as they are ugly and won't suite the house and area. It isn't in a conservation area but the house is in a terrace of attractive Victorian cottages whose owners take care of them.