If you've noticed water beading up or dripping from the header box above your automatic entrance, that's not a cosmetic issue. The header houses the operator, wiring, and control board that make the door run. Water finding its way in from above the opening is one of the more common reasons we get called out to commercial entrances across Conway, Little Rock, and the surrounding area.
Where the Water Actually Gets In
An automatic door header is not designed to be a waterproof box on its own — it relies on the building's canopy, flashing, and sealant joints above and around it to keep weather out. Water usually finds one of these paths:
- Gaps or failed sealant where the header meets the storefront frame or canopy
- Flashing above the opening that has pulled away, rusted through, or was never lapped correctly
- Wind-driven rain forced sideways under a canopy edge during storms
- Condensation building up inside the header when humid air meets a cool metal surface
- Clogged or poorly pitched canopy drainage that lets water pool and back up over the header
Because central Arkansas sees plenty of driving rain and humidity swings, these entry points tend to show up gradually — a small seasonal drip that gets worse as sealant ages or flashing corrodes.
Why Water and Control Boards Don't Mix
The control board inside the header manages everything the door does: sensing activity, timing the swing or slide, and controlling motor output. Even a small amount of moisture reaching that board can cause corrosion on connections, erratic sensor behavior, or a door that stops responding altogether. Doors don't always fail the moment water gets in — sometimes you'll see intermittent glitches for weeks before a board finally shorts out. Any sign of water staining, corrosion, or a door acting unpredictably after wet weather is worth having checked before it turns into a full operator failure.
Because the header contains live electrical components and safety-critical settings, this is not a spot for guesswork or a DIY fix. Diagnosing whether water has reached the board, and what needs to be dried out, cleaned, or replaced, should be handled by a certified AAADM technician with the right testing equipment.
Canopy and Flashing Problems Above the Opening
Most header leaks trace back to the building envelope above the door, not the door itself. Canopies take a beating from sun, wind, and rain year after year, and flashing seams are often the first thing to fail. Common culprits we find include:
- Sealant joints between the canopy and storefront that have cracked or shrunk with age
- Flashing that was installed with the wrong lap direction, letting water run backward into the wall
- Rust-through on metal flashing near coastal-style humidity or heavy seasonal rain
- Canopy fasteners that have backed out, opening small gaps water can travel through
Because the header sits directly below these building components, even a leak that seems minor at the roofline can end up dripping straight down onto sensitive electronics.
The Slip Hazard You Can't Ignore
A dripping header doesn't just threaten the door's electronics — it puts water right at your entrance, exactly where customers and employees are walking in and out all day. A steady drip onto tile, polished concrete, or entry mats creates a slick spot that's easy to miss, especially for someone walking in from bright sunlight or carrying packages. For retail, healthcare, and hospitality entrances where foot traffic is constant, that's a real liability sitting in plain sight until it's addressed.
Mopping up the puddle is a temporary fix at best. As long as the source above the header keeps leaking, the hazard will keep coming back — often worse after the next rain.
What to Do About It
If you're seeing water at your automatic door header, the goal is to find the actual source before it causes bigger problems. That usually means checking the canopy, flashing, and sealant above the opening, along with an inspection of what's happening inside the header itself. Our AAADM-certified technicians can inspect the header, identify whether the leak is coming from flashing, sealant, or drainage above the entrance, and address any water that has affected the door's operation — all within the manufacturer's limits for safe operation.
Don't wait for a dripping header to become a door that won't open or a slip-and-fall waiting to happen. Give CSC Automatic Doors a call at 501-548-2374 and we'll get a technician out to your Conway, Little Rock, or central Arkansas location to find the source and get it fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a small drip from the header really a problem?
Yes. Even a slow, occasional drip means water is reaching a spot that houses wiring and a control board. Small leaks tend to get worse over time as sealant and flashing continue to age, so it's worth having it looked at before it causes an operator issue.
Can I just caulk the header myself to stop the leak?
We don't recommend it. The area around and inside the header often involves electrical components and safety-critical settings, and sealing the wrong spot can trap moisture instead of keeping it out. A technician can find the actual source above the opening and address it properly.
How do I know if the canopy or flashing is causing the leak?
Look for staining, rust streaks, or gaps at the seams between the canopy and the building, especially after a hard rain. If water shows up at the header mainly during or after storms, the canopy and flashing above the entrance are the most likely source, and an inspection can confirm it.