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.

Once the old finish (paint) was removed (media blasted) the wood was reconditioned and neutralized. An oil based sealer/ preservative was applied to the point of refusal by brush and “worked” into the wood.  This was a custom mix to match the existing finish on the garage.  The garage  finish is  latex with a clear top coat. The house finish is  oil  with a clear top coat. We prefer to use penetrating oils that not only absorb deep into the logs but will not crack, blister or peel.

The best way to know what a color is going to look like on your log home or in this case cedar siding,  is to brush on some wet samples. During this cedar siding home restoration, a section of the cedar siding was cleaned and allowed to dry. Then several stain samples were applied. This is the only good way to determine what a color is going to look like on your home. Pictures and paint chips are not a very accurate way to determine  colors. Each house is going to be different. The type and age of the wood will dictate the shade of a stain so to really know and be sure about the color, wet samples are the best way to determine what your house will look when a new finish is applied.

When this wall is stripped, the samples will be removed and a clean bare surface will be left perfect for applying a new finish. And you will know exactly how the new finish will look.

Log home restoration sometimes requires more than one stripping method. On this log home, we stripped multiple coats of latex paint from the fascia but there was still a tent left from the engrained pigment. #40 grit sandpaper on orbital sanders was used to remove the engrained pigment.  #40 grit paper will leave a somewhat rough profile ideal for penetrating stain to absorb. Sanding the wood smooth leaves the woodgrain tight not allowing the finish to penetrate properly therefore preforming poorly.

A new log home restoration video is available for viewing @ www.youtube.com/taskmasters3

You can see that we apply an oil stain to logs by spraying with a corse low pressure spray. We then back brush to assure the oil is worked deep into the logs. It is worth mentioning that a low moisture content of the logs is important when apply any stain but critical  when applying an oil based finish.

Spring is almost here. So what does that mean to log home owners? Well, just like interior “spring cleaning” the exterior of the log home needs cleaning as well.

After a long harsh winter battling the elements, the finish can really take a beating. UV rays from the sun can do just as much danage in the winter as in the summer months and maybe more. At least in the summer, most log homes have some amount of shade from trees around the house. In the winter when all the leaves have fallen, the sun has more direct contact on the logs.  The sun can actually cause more damage to the finish as well as other wood than water by drying out the wood causing it to crack and split. The sun takes its toll on the finish as well.  

Pollen, dust and dirt builds up over time. This build up is perfect food for mold and mildew which can erode the finish in a realative short period of time. Moreover, mildew will keep growing having the potential to cause some major log rot problems.

To keep your log home looking its best and protected, it is a good idea to wash the home with a mild detergent at least once a year.  Be careful what you use as some cleaners can cause major damage to the finish. Clean wood not only looks nicer, but will help the finish last longer. And that  extends re-coating intervals and more importantly, major Log Home Restoration. 

Before any sealer is applied, plastic is laid out where needed to protect anything not recieving a finish. In this log home restoration, plastic is laid down on the roof below the shed dormer.  After that, canvas tarps are put on top. This helps absorb any overspray or drips and adds extra protection to the shingles.

When using a parrifin oil based sealer, it is imperative to not allow any to get on the asphalt shingles. It will soak  in so fast that it can not be removed. If this happens, it will actually desingrate the shingle causing the shingle to have to be replaced.

If using a “film-formimg” sealer (linseed oil), it is not as important as these finishes will not distroy the shingle like parriffin sealers. It will however soak in discoloring the shingle leaving a  permanent stain.

Taking a little extra time to protect surfaces from unwanted  overspray or drips can save time  by eliminating extra work having to clean these up or replacing damaged shingles.

Over the years since pressure treated lumber come onto the market, most every home constructed including log homes has a deck of some type. Large or small, exotic woods or just the typical Southern Yellow Pine, decks have become very popular. From using them for family cook-outs, lounging or using them as a screened enclosure to keep out insects, decks are an asset that adds value to the home. That is if they are maintained.

We have all seen decks that have turned gray, mildewed and have warped, split and splintering handrails and decking boards. Sometimes they have been neglected to the point that wood replacement is the only option. Oftentimes however, many of these decks can be saved through  Deck Restoration and used for many years to come.

Deck construction, repair or replacement is costly and as an extension of your home, it only makes sense to maintain it. However, because most decks in the southeastern United States are pressure treated lumber, many people consider them to be almost indestructible. They do hold up well in inclement weather especially in damp locations.  Pressure treated lumber is very resistant to water. That is why it is used almost exclusively in dock construction. But the drying effect of the sun is what really does the damage. UV rays dry the natural oils in the wood allowing it to split cup and warp prematurely. This is the main reason for keeping a quality sealer applied.

A good analogy is to compare it to dry skin. When your skin gets dry, it can crack and split so you apply a moisturizer. This rejuvenates the skin by adding essential oils. It is the same with wood. The sun’s UV rays dries out the wood and a good oil based sealer replenishes it.

Keeping the wood coated or conditioned with a quality sealer is imperative to the longevity of the deck.  If maintained properly it can add value to the home and can be enjoyed for many years to come.

STAIN TEST

One way to check the existing finish on your log home is to do a stain test. Take a pice of masking tape and place it firmly on different areas of  the logs. Press it firmly so to be sure it has adhered well. Then, quickly pull the tape off and examine the tape. If much of the stain come off with the tape, the stain is failing. If only a little come off, it is probably alright for another year but should be watched and tested again in a few months. When it gets to the point much of the tape is covered, it’s time to think about maintenance coats.  Don’t wait too long to recoat. It is better to do maintenance coats too soon rather than too late.