Whats Wrong With This Picture?

Another log home restoration. This home was less than two years old.

The logs and deck were cleaned with bleach to remove mold and mildew by the homeowner. What is left from what was once a honey colored stain is more mold, mildew and water stains.

The bleach removed all the mildew on the surface, however, the homeowner was surprised at the black stains that remained. We were called and found these stains were under the finish! This is not the first time we have seen this. More and more newer log homes are having mold and mildew problems.

Although there is more than one reason causing this problem, the main culprit is high moisture content. Oftentimes log homes are stained/sealed just as soon as they are “dried in.”  Many times the logs may or may not have been properly cleaned prior to sealing. If cleaned, chances are they were too wet when sealed. The only way to know is to test with a moisture meter. If not properly cleaned; mold and mildew spores, dirt, pollen and other contaminants can hold moisture in.

Once the logs are sealed, the encapsulated wood is a breeding ground for not just mold and mildew but eventually log rot and insects. Not good for practically a brand new log home.