LOG HOME RESTORATION: Quick Tip
Carpenter Bees will return to their nest the following year if the holes are not plugged. One way to handle this problem is first spray the hole with WD-40. This will kill any bees or eggs. Then fill hole with expanding foam. After it dries, cut off any excess and then insert a 1/2 dowell. I usually buy 3 foot lenghts at the local hardware store. Tap the dowell in using a hammer until it is tight. Then saw off the excess. A hack saw blade works well because it can be bent or bowed to follow the contour of the log. After it has been cut off, tap againg with a hammer a few times and that will flatten the dowell and fill any voids between the dowell and the log leaving a smooth finish. Touch up the repair with sealer and you have almost an invisible patch.
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Quick Tip
After Stripping
During your log home restoration, if the existing stain is going to be removed by stripping or media blasting, it is highly recommended to apply a borate treatment. Borate is an excellent fungicide and insecticide that is applied to bare wood. Every log home should be treated if nothing more than as a safeguard. It is not that costly and the benifits will far outweigh that cost. Remember, it has to be applied to bare wood and usually requires two coats.
It is not a “cure all” but is another tool to stave off what could turn into costly repairs. Remember, log homes are high maintenance. Neglect is not an option.
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