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Thursday, 18 August 2022 05:47

Residential log homes have problems, how to avoid them?

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Residential log cabins are something close to our hearts, and it is a common phenomenon for people who have an in-depth understanding of a subject matter with expertise.

It irks us when people having little to no practical experience regarding residential log cabins not only believe in myths and exaggeration regarding problems of log homes but also spread them to others.

It is not like that I'm living in any utopic world. I have a practical approach. I acknowledge that some problems can inflict problems on your log cabin. But when you realize that saying, "Prevention is better than cure." is fully applicable in maintaining the splendor of residential log cabins, you would hesitate to call them problems. In doing so, it is necessary to understand "what to prevent" and "how to prevent." Along with this, if, unfortunately, some problems have occurred to the residential log cabins, "how to solve them."

Let's look into common and easily preventable log cabin problems and their solutions.

Residential log cabin problems and their solutions

Moisture

Residential log cabins require moisture levels in a normal range, neither too high nor too low. That's the same as the requirement of human bodies. Isn't it? It is a common phenomenon that logs have inter-connected packs of cells that need water in a specific range. If you expose them to a humid environment, they will absorb more water and expand. If there is lesser or no water, then they will shrink. Apart from this, no one would want to keep the surface of their logs wet all the time. So, a simple precaution of keeping excessive humidity away from log cabins will solve all moisture-related problems of residential log cabins, such as mould, wood rot, fungus, and water stains. For your convenience, I've further enlisted some sources causing moisture which you can easily prevent after this.

  • Log homes should be above the ground: Log cabins become susceptible to moisture-related problems such as rain splash, moss, fungus, and wood rot if in constant content with water. So, your cabin's foundation should be drained and above the ground by at least 2 feet.
  • ● Keep bushes are plants away from walls: If you have bushes near your residential log cabin, cut them or keep them at least 6 feet away.
  • ● Gutters, overhanging, and trenches should repel, not collect water: Generally, these are necessary to keep the humidity away from the cabin, but if not renovated, they can direct or collect it inside.
  • Protruding dripline is not productive: Avoid building leaving logs away from drip lines as they are the most susceptible to rot later.
  • ● Do deck flashing: To prevent the log rot, create barriers between the deck and log and attach them to the wall so water cannot come in.
  • ● Check to caulk frequently: Checking is a common feature of the wood. It is incumbent to apply quality sealant and replace it in time to keep moisture away and maintain insulation quality.

Insects can be problematic when:

If you have prevented the surplus moisture from your built residential log cabins for sale or living, then KUDOS, you have already avoided the majority of the problems regarding insects. Boring insects and carpenter bees indeed love eating the log rot.   If you've prevented the log from rotting, they cannot harm. Even if they have entered, if you stop logs from further rotting and remove the rotted ones, they will die because of hunger.

Along with this, there are some common ways to prevent them from causing any damage to your residential log cabin. These can be using stone instead of mulch, keeping firewood away from the log cabin, and keeping trees and bushes at least 6 feet away from the log cabins.

Prevent critters from seeking in:

Critters such as raccoons, woodpeckers, and squirrels love sneaking into the log cabins in various ways to find refuge and food. Be careful, such as avoiding animal and bird food open to prevent them from damaging anything.

UV rays are not for the unprotected wood:

The UV rays directly falling on the outer surface of logs weaken their structure and take their shine and natural appeal. It happens if you do not apply good-quality finishes on the surface. Good quality finishes keep intruding sunlight and moisture away from the log's surface and allow it to breathe simultaneously. You can diminish its effect also by creating shade on the residential log cabins through over hangings, trees, and other coverings.

Log settling: A natural wood character

Log settling is a complaisant problem among residential log cabins that builders minimize during construction. It is a common understanding that logs settle with time when they release moisture. Wood shrinking causes the log structure to settle down a bit. There are many ways to tackle this natural character of wood from becoming a problem. These are:

  • ● Small logs are less likely to settle. So, one can use them.
  • ● Keep the space when adjusting doors and window openings to accommodate settling later.
  • ● Builders adjust the post's heights so that they can later take away the shims, or they can drop screw jacks when the center lowers.

Do Chinking of Caulking on wood checks or cracks:

 As discussed above, checking happens when the moisture level falls in the logs. Mostly checking happens in the middle and moves upward. There was a time when checking was a demotivating factor as it reduced the insulation characteristic of the log residential log cabins.

Today, it is no more a problem. The reason is research and development. Due to advancement, there are many good quality sealants that not also cover the checks at present but also adjust themselves if further cracks appear.

Take Away

Coming to an end, we have discussed nearly all residential log cabins-related problems which people commonly experience. All these problems are easily preventable and curable. Residential log cabin expert construction and maintenance solves many log-related problems which inflict damage later on if not given attention. So, the lack of cleaning regular inspections would be the biggest problem for log cabins which is upon you. So, the ball is in your court, and we believe you will not let any harm come to your residential log cabin.