Log cabins, with their warm cozy atmospheres and feeling of being closer to nature can be very appealing. However, they require a certain amount of maintenance and damage prevention. Any noticeable areas of concern or damage should be addressed right away. Wood rot is a big concern with log cabins, if left untreated it can lead to total log deterioration and expensive restorations.
To easily detect where repairs are needed, you need to know the warning signs of log damage and be diligent in your routine home inspections. Identifying these factors will help you salvage damaged wood immediately and apply proper repairs or replacement before the problem becomes extensive. Below are some examples of the warning signs that you need to look for when it comes to maintaining your log cabin:
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- Your stairs and floors are no longer level with each other. This is due to wood shifting, which is a structural issue, or wood warping, which may be caused by external factors that you will need to address.
- Cracks exist in your logs. Unless you are using reclaimed wood, which will have cracks from the start, cracks in your logs are signs that they are gradually weakening.
- Sawdust, cobwebs, and bite marks are evident in the wood. This tells you that it is being eaten or chewed by animals or bugs. You will need to execute proper pest control around the house.
- Already visible wood rot. Check the area immediately to determine what is causing it.
- Mold and mildew are present. This signals that your wood could be damaged by water. Unless you implement proper repair or replacement, it will contaminate the logs and spread quickly. It’s worth noting that rot, or decay, is different than mold. Mold and mildew affect the surface and can be removed with proper cleaners. Rot on the other hand grows within the wood causing it to lose structural integrity and strength. However, mold and mildew are a sign of potential water problems. It can also make the wood more susceptible to the bacteria that causes rot so it should be removed.
When looking for signs of rot it will be helpful to understand the three types of bacterial causing log rot. Being able to properly identify the rot will help you decide the best plan of action for rectifying the situation and helping prevent future issues.
Brown Rot
Visible Signs: Brown rot is often referred to as “dry rot” because overtime the affected wood will become so deprived of nutrients that it will take on a dry or powdery appearance. Brown-rot fungi comes in different forms: dry rot, mine fungus, and cellar fungus. Softwoods like pine, spruce, cedar are among the most susceptible to this fungus and the most common wood used to build cabins.
White Rot
Visible Signs: This rot gets its name because affected wood will get white spots where rotted. It can range from whitish to gray or yellowish in color. Wood with white rot will feel spongey. Unlike brown rot, white rot typically feasts on hardwood such as oak and birch. White rot, under the right conditions, can damage an entire wood structure.
Soft Rot
Visible Signs: This is the rarest type of wood rot. The cavities it forms are within the wood. However, you may see cracking and discoloration similar to brown rot. Soft-rot fungi is a very interesting fungi as it typically only grows in extreme conditions where brown and white rot cannot thrive.
Prevention Tips
Problem areas retain moisture like window seals and logs touching the ground. Look for moisture contributors such as sprinkler system placement, minimal overhangs, and damaged gutters, for instance. Be mindful of northern sides of your home for objects (like shrubbery to close to the home) blocking the sunlight which dries the logs after getting wet. And do not forget to look for already effected areas. Rot needs to be removed early to avoid more extensive damage and costly restoration. If the rot is above any logs, you can guarantee that the ones below will also begin to rot as water travels downward by gravity.
Finally, it is a good idea to have regular maintenance from a professional. The team at 888 Log Guys are here to help. Contact us today to get added to our client maintenance checklist
