Using quality products and properly maintaining your home is the first step in preventing log decay or rot and eventually log replacement. It's inevitable though, you may end up with log rot at some point in the ownership of your log home.
Don't panic! There are plenty of ways to repair or replace logs and when left to the experts it's not really that complicated of a job. It's not recommended that you try and replace logs on your own. It's best to leave that to the professionals!
This article is all about checking over your home to determine the condition of your logs. Checking for log rot often is important in order to catch it at an early stage. Replacing a small portion of a log or even using methods to repair a small area is always the less expensive option.
Common Problems That Can Cause Log Rot:
Logs too close to the ground - Be sure to check logs that are in contact with the ground or even within 6-12 inches from the ground. If the logs seem to be okay it would be best to dig these logs out or try and lower the grade around them. Make sure water is draining away from your walls and not towards the logs.
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| These logs are just too close to the ground. We ended up removing the bottom two logs on this portion of the cabin and installed a block foundation under the remaining logs. Notice these logs are also lacking stain and sealant and the chinking is failing. This building needs some major restoration! |
Shrubs planted too close to the building - This can cause water to splash onto the logs and usually also blocks sunlight preventing the logs from drying out. It usually creates a wet environment with mold and mildew love. Make sure bushes and trees are cut back at least 3 feet from the house. Larger trees in your yard that are away from the house can be beneficial to block harsh sun during the summer but make sure the logs are getting good air flow and that you're not ending up with discoloration.
Poor rain gutters - Rain gutters help out a lot on log homes. The problem is keeping them clean and in good working order. A leaking rain gutter can cause major problems if water ends up running down a corner or wall on your log home. Make sure your rain gutters are working properly by going outside in a rain storm. It doesn't sound like much fun but you will see where the water is ending up and it may be on your logs!
Improper flashing around dormers - Make sure you have proper flashing along dormers to prevent water from getting in the wrong place causing major damage.
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| These logs are obviously discolored and have some mold/algae growth from water. The flashing is also not done properly. This house also did not have gutters above this area so water would splash off the roof onto the log siding in this area. |
Flat surfaces on the topside of logs - Many log homes were made by cutting a flat on the top and bottom of the logs and then stacked on top of each other. For a traditionally peeled log this can create ledges where the logs stick out too far. It's best to cut these back or make sure they are beveled outward.
Vines growing on the walls - This is the same scenario as bushes being too close. It just doesn't let the logs breathe and the last thing you want is stuff growing on your log home!
Sprinkler systems - This is one that many people don't think of. Are your sprinklers pointing in the right direction? We have seen this several times where the sprinklers are pointed right at the house. Although the logs probably stay nice and clean it's not what you want for your log home. Make sure they are pointing in the right direction.
Decks built up against the logs - We replace logs along decks all the time. Water comes off the roof and drips down onto the deck splashing back onto the bottom courses of logs. If you have rain gutters installed you will limit the splashing to a minimum that probably isn't causing any problems. Make sure to check these logs and also make sure your rain gutters are working properly.
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| Water splashing on the deck rotted these logs out. They are showing significant discoloration too. Notice the fact that the railing is also cause some splashing and algae growth on the logs. These logs were not rotted yet but were being affected. |
Short roof overhangs - You want a minimum of 24" overhang on your log home and more if you can have it. The bigger the overhang the less water will be exposed to your logs. Gable ends can get hit the worst with weather since the roof overhangs can't protect the entire wall.
Not having proper sealant - Make sure you are keeping up on the maintenance of your log home. Once the sealant fails you are going to be more more at risk for log rot. If your stain has been failing for many years you might have several logs that are rotted.
Chinking failures - Chinking and caulking are important to not only save money on heating and cooling but also to prevent water from getting in between the logs. Chinking around the log ends on your home is an important place since water can hit the log ends and travel down the logs from there.
Insect damage - Generally, insects like wet wood so if you have wet logs or water damage you may attract bugs. Bugs will also get into a log home that does not have water issues as well. Doing a good borate treatment to your logs using a product like Shell-Guard is a great way to prevent insects from entering your home. If you notice ants or beetles its a good idea to check the logs around the areas where you see them. You could have a moisture problem.
Log ends protruding past roof overhangs - These will always get hit with the most weather causing the stain and sealant to fail and then ultimately they will rot. You can keep log ends cut back so they are under the roof overhang to protect them better. If you have log ends that stick out make sure to check them for log rot.
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| These log ends need to be replaced. The top one on the left had already had a new piece attached. These need to be cut back under the roof overhang to protect them. Notice the snow sitting on the log end on the right. |
Mold, mildew and discoloration - Make sure to look for discolored logs that are either very dark or have mold or mildew on them. Mold and mildew can be green, black and white and can also have many different shades.
These are several issues that logs homes can have which in turn can cause log rot. Make sure to check over your log regularly by using the above list as a reference. If you notice you have a problem then you'll need to check the logs to determine the extent of the damage.
The Hammer Test - Checking Logs for Rot:
I like to use the "Hammer Test" to determine if logs are rotted or not. This is the method I use while checking log homes during my site visit to provide estimates for clients. All you have to do is tap on the logs lightly using the hammer. Listen for a hollow sound or feel for a spongy feel. All indications that the logs are rotted. If you're having a difficult time determining if the logs sound hollow or feel bad then its a good idea to go to a place where you know the logs are solid. Try under a porch or logs on the inside of your home. This will give you a good source of comparison.
I always put a piece of painters tape on the logs that I think sound hollow or rotted. If you go around to all the areas checking and marking the logs when your finished you can go around and count up how many logs you have that are showing signs of rot. This is great information to provide to a log home repair specialist and can give them a good sense of the extent of the damage on your home.
Logs too close to the ground
Shrubs planted too close to the building, which causes poor air circulation
No rain gutters or the gutter are too small to handle water
Improper flashing around dormers
Flat surfaces on the topside of logs
Vines growing on the walls
Sprinkler system wetting the house, especially when wind conditions are right
Decks built up against the logs
Short roof overhangs
Not having proper sealant
Chinking failures
Insect damage
Logs not borate treated
Room beams and log ends protruding past roof overhangs
Door and window trimming not properly installed
Soil grading sheds water toward the house
Improper venting in the crawl space
Lack of maintenance
- See more at: http://www.logrepair.com/log-home-restoration-inside-look#sthash.BTA6KiTY.dpuf
Logs too close to the ground
Shrubs planted too close to the building, which causes poor air circulation
No rain gutters or the gutter are too small to handle water
Improper flashing around dormers
Flat surfaces on the topside of logs
Vines growing on the walls
Sprinkler system wetting the house, especially when wind conditions are right
Decks built up against the logs
Short roof overhangs
Not having proper sealant
Chinking failures
Insect damage
Logs not borate treated
Room beams and log ends protruding past roof overhangs
Door and window trimming not properly installed
Soil grading sheds water toward the house
Improper venting in the crawl space
Lack of maintenance
- See more at: http://www.logrepair.com/log-home-restoration-inside-look#sthash.BTA6KiTY.dpuf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQeMmou5KBELogs too close to the ground
Shrubs planted too close to the building, which causes poor air circulation
No rain gutters or the gutter are too small to handle water
Improper flashing around dormers
Flat surfaces on the topside of logs
Vines growing on the walls
Sprinkler system wetting the house, especially when wind conditions are right
Decks built up against the logs
Short roof overhangs
Not having proper sealant
Chinking failures
Insect damage
Logs not borate treated
Room beams and log ends protruding past roof overhangs
Door and window trimming not properly installed
Soil grading sheds water toward the house
Improper venting in the crawl space
Lack of maintenance
- See more at: http://www.logrepair.com/log-home-restoration-inside-look#sthash.yB04e5c4.dpuf
