Can you feel it? The days getting longer. The air feeling warmer. Leaves budding on the trees. Be prepared for what needs to come!
Your log home spring maintenance checklist should begin at the top. From the roof, then working your way down along the walls, here is what you should look for:
- Gutters or downspouts clogged or stopped up
- Shingles missing or loose
- Damage caused by severe winter weather (snow or freezing water)
- Flashing loose at the chimney
- Stain erosion or damage on exposed rafters
- Log checks or cracks
- Alterations to deck railings or stairs
- Stain flaking or peeling off
- Areas of mildew or mold, water staining, algae growth, or soft wood
Prepare to clear out gutters if necessary, and re-treat rafters as soon as you can. Contact a professional for any roofing concerns and who can safely repair any roof damage.
Observe the log walls for checks or cracks. Checking becomes less frequent as the home ages but tends to happen more often in the first few years of a new home. If you’ve noticed checks in the past, re-examine those areas, looking for further cracking.
Contact our experts to see whether or not caulking is the solution to keep water out of your logs. In areas you’ve already caulked, check to be sure the caulk is sound, with no splits or gaps. Sealing cracks could create an opportunity for water to seep in, become trapped, and create an environment for rot to develop.
If you find spots where the stain is flaking or peeling off, take a photo for reference or mark them with painter’s tape. Also photograph or mark any areas of mildew or mold, water staining, algae growth or soft wood that may be a sign of rot.
If you have noticed any problem areas, contact us to speak with someone about the best solution to remedy your log home. Log homes can cause quite the headaches, and we are here to relieve you of the pain! You do not have to be alone in maintaining your log home!
