5 Tips for Maintaining Your Log Home
Like with any home, a log home require routine maintenance to keep it looking good and in good condition. However, there are a few things that are unique to maintaining a log home. Review these five tips to help ensure that your wood surfaces remain at their best for many years to come.
1. Select Optimal Wood Products
Choosing the right wood products when you build your log home will save you time, effort and maintenance costs down the road. Northern White Cedar is a top choice because it’s very resistant to insects, rot, decay, and shrinkage. Additionally, White Cedar’s light, consistent coloring holds finishes well, and much like cork, it will not absorb moisture.
2. Protective Stain
A good wood stain will help prevent ultraviolet light from turning your logs gray. There are many good stain choices that can be used but whatever stain you choose will need to be re-applied periodically depending on how much sunlight your home’s walls are exposed to.
A quick way to determine if it’s time to re-stain is to spray water on a log’s surface and look for discoloring. If the water beads, the finish is still providing protection. If the finish on your log home has begun to wear, it is important to apply another coat as soon as possible in order to prevent the growth of mold/mildew and carpenter bee infestations. Maintaining your exterior finish will exponentially reduce the amount of future maintenance needed.3. Rinse Your Log Cabin
Before applying another coat of finish to your log home, it is important to first remove the buildup of mold/mildew, pollen, pollution, dust, dirt, etc. Depending on the condition of your exterior logs, an inexpensive log cleaner may do the job. A mild bleach solution may brighten your logs and will kill any mold/mildew. A third option is to pressure wash, though if you choose this method, it is vital to ensure any gaps are filled before you begin (foam-backing rod is an effective way to do this). Even if your home doesn’t require refinishing, the simple process of rinsing the exterior will do wonders for preserving your wood and making the exterior of your home shine.
4. Pay Close Attention to Gutters and Downspouts
Having gutters and downspouts that drain correctly are extra important when it comes to a log home. Overflowing gutters or disconnected and damaged downspouts can lead to water damage of your exterior wood surface, leading to early decay and mildew and mold. Make sure to remove all leaves and debris in your gutters, as well as the valleys in your roof to ensure correct drainage. Trim back foliage that may be close to your log home to allow for air flow to help reduce mildew and mold.
5. Insect Control
Thankfully, the use of borate has drastically reduced termite problems of years’ past. The bad news is that today, carpenter bees are the most common inspect problem in log homes. One of the best preventative ways to stave off a bee infestation in your log home is by choosing woods that naturally repel insects such as Northern White Cedar. Additionally, the application of products containing permethrin, cyfluthrin, and/or boric acid will help repel the bees. Be sure to apply these products in late winter/early spring to avoid infestations.
Performing these simple maintenance steps will help ensure that your home is protected for the seasons to come. Our team at Heartwood Mills are experts in quality wood products and would be happy to answer any questions about how to protect and enhance your log home.
