Log Home Maintenance Checklist.

Log homes are truly pieces of art and worth every penny. Since log homes are different from other types of homes, they require a different type of maintenance. This checklist will guide you through maintaining your log home and making sure that it will last you many years. 

What is log home maintenance?

Log home maintenance is the process of protecting your precious log home from weather and insect damage, in order to make your log home last. 

Here is a checklist for your maintaining your log home.

The more maintenance you do every year, the more money you will save and the longer your log home will last. Neglecting to maintain your log home will lead to rot and other damages that can be extremely costly to fix.

• Fill in checks as they appear.

  Checks are cracks that open up in logs as they move and cure, the quicker that you fill them in with either caulk or chinking, the more protected you will be. Any chance of the weather, bugs, or moisture getting inside, is putting you at risk for larger problems down the road.

• Check for and treat insects.

  Insects such as carpenter bees can drill tiny holes that let weather inside and create structural problems. Using things such as insecticides, getting rid of carpenter bees, and other insects is a key to keeping your log home safe.

• Check for and treat water damage.

  Water damage can occur in places where chinking or stain was not applied correctly and around windows/doors. Water damage is cheap to fix if caught early, but expensive if let go. Water damage on a log home can result in having to replace logs. Check for water stains and follow fix the source. A big cause of water damage is not having gutters or having clogged gutters. Water damage also occurs around windows and between logs where caulking and chinking needs to be replaced. Check your caulking and chinking for spots that are cracked or falling away from the wood. You can cut these spots out and replace them.

• Clean before staining or caulking.

  Lightly cleaning your log home before staining, caulking, or applying a clear coat is very important. Dirt and debris can prevent these from sealing and create space for damage to occur. Using a log cleaner is a good idea. We recommend cleaning your log home every two years, often people choose to clean it once a year, as cleaning will give you a good chance to you inspect your log cabin, for chinking or gutter damage. Remove moss, and dirt from all spaces on your cabin. These things will increase the probability of rot happening.

• Stain your cabin every 3 - 5 years.

  Check your stain for fading or damage. Depending on the stain that you use and the climate, stain may need to be replaced more often. Look over your stain and check for faded spots or peeling. Any spot that isn’t covered by stain is open to rot and can result in a more expensive problem.

• Check for and treat Mold/Mildew

  Log homes have plenty of opportunities for moisture to set and create mold/mildew which can make you sick. Be sure to check in damp, and shaded areas for mold/mildew. 

• Inspect and repair the roof

  Log cabins often have unique roof designs. As with any home, a damaged roof can result in costly problems with walls and more. The most important feature that you should have on your roof is a gutter. Gutters will help protect your log cabin from water damage as long as they are kept clean. We have noticed that log homes without gutters on them tend to be more prone to water damage. Be sure to keep your roof clean, maintained, and your gutters clear.

• Buy new weather stripping.

  Weather stripping is very important in log homes. It keeps the weather out, keeps your heating bill down, and protects from insects. Log homes flex and often are not as well sealed as normal homes. It is also very important to prevent nature from coming inside you log home. Weather stripping tends to age quickly and should be replaced often to ensure you are well protected from the elements.