15 Log Home Maintenance Tips for the Inexperienced

By :- Kate, On November 26, 2015 in ::-Featured, House, Tips

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Usually, people think that living in luxurious hotels and caravans can make a holiday successful. However, they forget that living in a humble log cabin can do the same. In modern times, when life is busier than ever, people need to find peace and for that, they need to visit places that are close to nature. That said, living in the woods for few days could provide a nice break from the hustle and bustle of busy street lives. Henry David Thoreau rightly stated that woods are ecstatic and can teach humans the essential facts of life. Therefore, for a break from mundane life, humans must embrace nature and be one with it.

That said, log cabins could provide vacationers the comfort of luxury hotels. Furthermore, with the help of firms like Zook Cabins, it could be possible to purchase prefab log cabins that are easy to install at any cabin-friendly destination. Moreover, a wide variety of financing deals are also available for buying holiday cabins. Investing money in a log cabin is relatively safe. You do not have to worry about changing prices, especially if you are getting ROI in the form of rent or you are able to save on your personal holiday expenses by having your own vacation getaway. Additionally, log cabins are comparatively inexpensive, so you can invest a bit more. Choosing to invest in a cabin, therefore could be a good idea.

Moreover, holiday log cabins are easier to maintain. You need to properly insulate the cabin so that it can reduce your heating and cooling costs. Additionally, if you follow these below-mentioned tips, you can surely add more years to the life of your cabin.

  1. Height.

Raisethe home’s foundation at least six inches above the ground (some experts recommend raising the house by as much as twenty-four inches in insect-prone areas).

  1. Barriers.

To resist water and insect damage, don’t allow any floor or wall materials which are made of wood to be exposed to the ground. Use inorganic materials, such as rock, within twelve to twenty-four inches of the first course of logs.

  1. Forward Planning.

To ensure consistency for the life of your home, keep a log home maintenance diary to track any problems and your solutions.

  1. Insect Avoidance.

Clear all stumps and fallen trees within fifty feet of your home, since these can harbour wood-boring insects and a variety of pests.

  1. Beware of Insect Camouflage.

Never use wood mulch, pine straw or other ground covers, which will encourage termites and other insects.

  1. Responsible Landscaping.

When planting, keep shrubbery a minimum of three to five feet from the walls of your home. The goal is to enable air to circulate freely around the home to help dry the logs after it rains or snows.

Install a French drain to keep water hazards away from your home. These flexible pipes – set into trenches filled with gravel – draw in moisture from the surrounding soil and channel it away.

  1. Clean the Logs.

Remove mill glaze, road grime and job-site dirt from the logs. You can do this by using a log-wash solution, sanding, power-washing or corn-blasting, depending on the condition of your logs.

  1. Preserve Them Properly.

After waiting for the logs to dry, apply a borate preservative and allow to dry. Next, apply your interior and exterior stains. For a final step, apply external sealants if your house requires them. If you’re having a HVAC system installed, ensure that the vents are secured properly and sealed to avoid any leaks or holes. If unsure how to do this, visit a site like https://ineedcoolair.com/port-st-lucie/ and have a professional come do it for you.

  1. Use Proper Chinking\Caulking\Sealant.

All log homes will need some caulking – regardless of the log profile or construction style – in between log courses, at corners and around windows and doors. The sealant or chinking you use must be compatible with whatever stain you apply to your home. Not sure? Call the manufacturer.

  1. Check for Rot.

If you have exposed timbers on the underside of your eaves that extend flush with the overhang or protrude past it, the ends of these logs are susceptible to rot. Check and reseal annually.

  1. Watch Out for Termites and Other Wood-Eating Insects.

If you see signs of termites, call in an expert. They should be able to use things like Terminix GA, and other places in order to eradicate the pest problem. Some of the indicators of a potential termite problem include a sawdust-like substance and tunnels in the wood.

  1. Beware of Water Build-Up.

Even if your builder sloped the soil during construction, this grading can settle and become flat or even slope toward your home. Don’t use topsoil to increase the slope of the grade, which will only act as a sponge. Use rock or gravel instead, which will shed water.

  1. Plan for Rain.

Make sure your downspouts or splash blocks divert rainwater at least 6 to 9 feet away from the home.

  1. But Hope for Sun!

Try to build around trees which will provide some protection from the sun for your log cabin, without blocking too much light.

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