Log Home Restoration:
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Log Home Restoration: Cedar Siding Tip
Cedar siding homes need protection from the elements just like log homes. Some people like the natural look and let them gray out. That may be pretty, but unprotected wood dries out quickly and when that happens it’s only a matter of time before it starts splitting. Then the damage is done. Keeping a good oil sealer applied is the key. Oil keeps the wood plyable, soft and acts as a moisturizer. Want to know more…click here.
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Log Home Restoration:Winter Is Here
Now that it has turned cooler, some people think it’s to late to stain their log home. Actually, cooler weather is somewhat better. The cooler temperatures allow the sealer more time to absorb into the wood before it drys. In the heat of the day in the summer, care must be taken not to apply stains in direct sun because of rapid evaporation. This causes the finish to dry too quickly not allowing proper penetration into the logs. For more information concerning winter restoration click here. 
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Log Home Restoration: and Maintenance
Log home maintenance is a vital part of the overall log home experience. Enjoying the beauty of the rustic setting is very satisfying, but to neglect or postpone regular maintenance could turn rustic into ruin. Too often the homeowner is too busy or maybe just not familiar with what is required to keep a log home protected from the harsh elements.
Periodic inspections should be performed on a regular basis and proper action taken when a problem is found. Unlike stick-built homes, logs that are machine milled, hand hewn, flat faced or beams all have one thing in common. Whether kiln dried or air dried, they will expand and contract when temperature and humidity change. Warping and twisting can occur causing joints to pull apart, sealants to fail and caulking to come loose as well as issues with stain adhesion. If not addressed, air and insects can easily enter the home causing not only a nuisance but making the home much less energy efficient. Moreover, water infiltration can cause mold and mildew problems, unsightly staining of the logs and most importantly, wood rot.
This can easily be avoided. The following check list can be used as a guide to help you keep your log home in good condition, weather tight and beautiful for years to come.
- Walk around your log home and actually take notes of problems or potental problems. You may be surprised at the list you compile.
- If possible, it is a good idea to get up on the roof to check for loose or damaged shingles. Check to see that plumbing vent pipe flashings are tight around the pipe and properly sealed to the shingles. Also, check chimney flashing, rain diverters, gutters and downspouts. Check gutters closely for proper drainage. Clogged and backed up gutters cause fascia boards to rot very quickly and is hard to spot from the ground. These issuse apply to all homes.
- Take the time to examine the logs and siding closely. Look for any mildew growth. Where there is mildew, there is useually a moisture problem. Check to see if there are shrubs or tree limbs that can be trimed back to allow more sun exposure and air circlulation.
- Check the logs, siding and trim for small holes and or sawdust. This is a sure indication of insect activity. Carpenter ants, wood borers, boring bees and a host of other insects can do thousands of dollars worth of damage in a realatively short period of time. Any holes should be saturated with an insceticide and caulked or pluged depending on the size of the hole. If your home has never had a borate treatment, it is highly recommended when the house is stripped and before a new sealer is applied, borate should be used to preserve the logs from rot and insects. This is not a long or hard process, but does require a knowledgable applacator and proper drying time.
- Check corners, log seams, butt joints, window and door trim and other areas such as dryer vents, receptacle covers, HVAC lines and plumbing fixtures for caulking failure. Installed proprely, caulking will hold up well. The problem we find is that most of the time backer rod has not been used where needed and the caulking is either over applied or under applied and not “tooled” in the joint or seam properly. When applied incorrectly, even the slightest log movement will cause the caulk to seperate. The more the logs separate, the greater the possiblity of air, insect and water infiltration. Inspection and caulking of your log home should be a semi-annual project. If preformed on a regular basis, the average home could be kept weather tight in as little as a couple of hours. It will be time and money well spent!
- Test the log finish. Splash some water onto the logs. Does it bead up and roll off, or does it soak into the wood? If it soaks into the wood, the finish is not doing it’s job. A properly sealed log (or any type of wood) should repel water. If not, it is past time to recoat. If your home has gotten to this point, it is advisable to call a professional. An inspection and consultation will reveal the condition of your home and determine what is necessary to re-establish a protective coating.
- What type of stain to apply to your home involves some thought. Depending on what is important to you, your personal preferences and the location of the home will dictate which product will best suit your needs. The best advise is to stay away from the big box store brands. There are a few that in certain circumstances will preform faily well, but in general, retail products will not hold up on logs.
- Consult with a log home maintenance professional. We do this everyday. We have seen products and contractors come and go. We have tried many different products and found some better than others. We only use products that I know work and use on my own log home. I love my work, but after working on my customer’s homes, I really don’t want to spend my time off working on mine replacing inferior products. If you have questions, give me a call, I love to help.
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Log Home Restoration: Quick Tip
If you have an attached deck, be sure the first few rows of logs are well sealed. This area is very prone to rot because of splash back of water off the deck when it rains. It is more susceptible during the winter because the logs will stay wet longer allowing more time for the stain to be damaged. A little extra attention to this area will save a lot of time, trouble and headache.
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Log Home Restoration: Winterizing Tip..
After the pollen has fallen, be sure to wash your log home. Then do a walk around inspection looking for areas of failing caulk joints. Winter drafts, even from the smallest crack, can really cause the heat bill to rise. Take the time to remove any failing caulk, clean the joint and re-apply a quailty caulk. After the caulk is applied, it needs to be “tooled” to ensure good adhesion. Also, don’t use the “big box ” store caulking. Use caulking especially formalated to accommodate log movement. For more information click here.
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Log Home Restoration: Summer is Slipping By….
Almost September and it seems the hottest days may be behind us. That means the cold weather is on it’s way. That means it is time to start thinking about winterizing you log home. We will offer common sense tips over the next several weeks to help make sure your home is not only protected from the sun and rain , but also from the cold.
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Log Home Restoration: Quick Tip
It is a good idea to apply a chlorine solution to the logs after stripping. Although the stripping process will remove any mold or mildew that is visable, the spores can remain in cracks and checks that the stripper may not have reached. Once the new finish is applied it very likely the spores will grow and spread underneath the stain. This is evidenced by black spots appearing. If it can be removed by applying chlorine, then it is on the surface of the log and not a big problem. However, if it can not be removed, it is under the finish. If that is the case, the only solution is to strip again. So, it is well worth the time it takes to apply chlorine. For more log home restoration tips click here.
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Consider This When Sealing a Newly Constructed Log Home
Newly constructed log homes are usually stained and sealed as soon as the “dry in” is completed or shortly thereafter. Nothing wrong with that right? Well here are a few things that should be considered before applying a beautiful natural wood finish to your brand new log home. (Learn More)
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Log Home Restoration: Quick Tip
Mid summer and “the heat is on.” The warmer months are the better months to apply sealers. However, on hot sunny days, the side of a log home, or deck for that matter, can get very hot. Too hot to apply a finish. If the wood gets too hot the stain can ” flash” making the carrier of the stain evaporate to quickly. This will keep the finish from absorbing properly and therefore preform poorly. In these conditions, it is best to always work on the shady side of the log home.
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