All homes require some exterior care and maintenance, but log houses require a little more than usual. Once a year, the outside of the house should be washed to remove pollen, insect debris and other dirt. At that time, the house should be checked for mold and mildew, which should be removed if present. Log cabin rot is a common problem in log houses and is most often due to fungi.
Timber-destroying fungi survive from air, water and food. It is not possible to eliminate air and they feed on wood in our homes, so the only factor that can be controlled is water. Keeping moisture out of the wood can help prevent log rot. Promoting airflow through your log cabin is important, as it can also prevent mold and mold problems.
Borate preservatives can be applied to wood before staining it to prevent insect infestation. Anti-mold can be added to stain or sealant to prevent mold in high humidity areas. Log cabin maintenance is a task that most people don't enjoy, but it's a necessary part of owning your log home. If you are careful and consistent, you can keep up to date without too much work and it will prevent a small maintenance problem from turning into a costly replacement problem later on.
The natural beauty of log houses attracts many of us to build one, but they also require more maintenance than a typical house. When you know what's needed, there are ways to minimize maintenance. According to an article in Blue Ridge Country magazine, log homes often require a lot more maintenance than people think. This is because, over time, logs are likely to change, expand, and contract with changes in the environment.
Pests can be another nuisance, since the damage they cause is usually not covered by homeowners insurance. Carpenter Bees and Termites Most Common Pests, According to Blue Ridge Country. When buying a log house, learn about the best way to prevent and treat the damage caused by these pests.
Log cabins
are prone to mold and mildew growth, especially without good air circulation outside.Most current log homes feature cathedral ceilings for an open and spacious feel, as well as large stone fireplaces and modern kitchens. Recommend Weatherall UV Guard Premium; Saschco Conceal, Log Builder or Through the Roof; or PermaThink Energy Seal or Woodsman. Either way, the stain will almost certainly darken, which could reduce the aesthetic appeal of the log house. For me, it seems to be in good condition, but I fear that one day the logs will start to rot even with proper annual maintenance.
Termites love wood, but with a log house it's easier to detect them, since they are not hidden in a wall cavity. If you already have gutters, make sure they stay clean so that rain doesn't overflow or splash back on your logs. Cracks, also called checks, are a natural feature of logs and there is nothing to worry about, unless they are at the top of an outer log where rain, snow and dirt can accumulate. The main factors to remember when designing a log cabin are site-specific conditions such as location, weather conditions, exposure to natural elements, the amount of snow or rain the area receives annually, the materials most suitable for the given conditions; and how to use the lines of the roof and overhangs to better protect the outer trunk material.
However, modern chinking is acrylic-based and is more durable, say these experts, because it expands and contracts as logs or timbers move, but still adhere firmly. .
