Log homes remind us of a simpler time. This unique home style is naturally beautiful, but maintenance is not so simple. Know what you are getting into before committing to owning or building a log home!
To start out, no one enjoys bugs in their home, but log homes are an attractive place for them. Sometimes insects are already present in the wood during construction, and sometimes they find their way into your safe haven after construction is over. Wood needs to be dried and treated properly with preventatives during the construction phase. After moving in, regularly inspect the exterior of your home. At any sign of a possible infestation, investigate and seek professional help. While some insects are more of a nuisance, others have the ability to do serious damage to your home.
Another part of regular maintenance for log homes is re-staining the exterior. As climate and weather elements test your home, the finish will gradually break away and need to be reapplied. Be prepared to refinish your home as often as every three to four years (although some finishes may last longer).
Over time (most predominantly in the first three years), as the logs shrink as moisture continues to dry, small cracks or gaps appear in and in between logs. Also called checking, these cracks happen to every log home, and it’s important to be aware of. The checks to pay attention to face up and are big enough to catch and trap a small amount of water inside the log. As a result, the resting water could cause rot to develop. However, sealing every crack could cause rot as well (not to mention create the “zebra” look), because water needs space to evaporate. Use a professional resource (like 888-LOG-GUYS!) to determine the best way to maintain checks on your log home.
One huge benefit of log homes is their transparency when it comes to their needs. Are you worried carpenter bees have infested? Look for small holes indicating burrowing pests, perhaps with small amounts of sawdust near the holes. Have you noticed a line of wood rot on one side of the home, just underneath the gutter? Sounds like the gutter isn’t installed correctly and allows water to run down the side of the house. Listen to your log home, and the potential issues will show themselves. As long as you’re paying attention, problems aren’t likely to get out of hand and become unfixable.
