Here at Prolog we’ve worked with log home owners throughout California for more than 30 years. And during that time we’ve noticed that some of the most common – and costly – issues that come up can often be avoided. Instead of making you learn these lessons the hard way, we decided to share the 6 most common issues here with you, along with how to avoid them, to help you avoid the stress and expense of facing them down the road.
Mistake #1: Stacking firewood next to log walls. Woodpiles stacked against the side of your log home, or bushes and trees that brush up against the logs, will trap moisture, attract destructive insects and animals, and hide damage to the wood until it’s too late. Excess moisture held in by wood piles or shrubs that are touching the walls also accelerates the rate at which logs will rot. When finally discovered, the damage may have progressed to the point that logs will need to be replaced.
Mistake #2: Irrigation that sprays log walls. Check your irrigation system to make sure it’s not soaking the sides of your home, which will encourage rot to set in. Rot can damage wood logs faster than termites if the conditions are right, and eventually lead to expensive log repairs and replacements.
Mistake #3: Little or no maintenance. If you own a log home be sure to mark your calendar for seasonal inspections. Regular checks for damage, insects, and all the little issues that can often be handled on your own will help prevent restoration and repair nightmares in the future. For easy maintenance guidelines and checklists, be sure to download the free ebook from our website at www.prologrestoration.com. The tips and tricks for creating a low maintenance log home you’ll find in our book will help save a vast amount of time, money, and effort, leaving you with plenty of space to relax and enjoy your home.
Mistake #4: Applying the wrong kind of sealer or paint. Not all sealers are made alike. Logs are different than regular wood because they expand, contract, and don’t act like flat lumber, so make sure you use a stain and sealer that is designed specifically for log homes. You may pay a little more for log-home specific sealer or stain, but you’ll have to apply it less often, it will protect your logs much better, and save you money in the long run by not having to replace damaged logs that weren’t protected from the elements.
Mistake #5: Painting a log home. Covering the logs with traditional house paint is an open invitation for log decay as the paint actually traps moisture in the wood. Using a proper log stain designed for use on a log home allows the logs to properly breathe and release moisture.
Mistake #6: Work with someone who is not a log home professional. Choosing the right expert to help you build or maintain your log home may be the most important decision you make. Log structures are unique and therefore require specialized skills and experience. When it’s time for building, maintenance, renovation or restoration for your log home or place of business, click here to learn more about what qualities you need to look for in order to choose the right person to work on your log home.
