Question:
One of my 18 year old overhead garage doors has recently developed a
bulge or "blister" about 18" in diameter, on the outside surface of one
panel, which my eyes can't help noticing every time I arrive home in the
daytime. The bulge projects about 1/2" at its center, and I can push it
back flat with moderate pressure from my hand. The rest of both doors
appear to be in good shape, no rot or anything else noticable, and I've
kept the outside surfaces well painted over the years.
The garage door panels seem to be simply masonite skins glued to wood
perimeter frames with a centered vertical piece of wood, where the
center hinges and lock/handle are located. The outside skins have an
embossed wood grain texture.
What, if anything, is likely to be inside those panels?
Answer:
Call the local TV station and breathlessly tell the blow dried news idiot
that an image of the Blessed Virgin miraculously appeared on your door while
you were at church last Sunday. Hordes will decend on your house to view
it.but charge them $1.50 to come up your driveway.
I bet in just one weekend, you'll make enough to hire a contractor to come
out and replace that ratty old door you've got on there now
it's time to replace the door. The door is bulging
because water/moisture is inside the door. It probably is inside both
the doors & just hasn't shown itself elsewhere. This type of door will
usually rot from inside out & may fall apart rapidly once the rotting
shows. Look for water stain marks around the hinges on the inside of
the door for clues.
The door is 1/8" masonite glued to a wood fram & the inside of the
door is either a type of styrofoam as you suggest or it may have a
cardboard honeycomb filler. Many of the door mfg's get theirs from the
same company & do not make the sections themselves.
