There is no doubt that your log home looks its best. It is a unique style of home everyone appreciates owning. However, you must take care of it. Think of a log home in the terms of maintaining your health.
Eating the right diet and exercising helps avoid problems. And, sometimes, you need to consult a doctor for a health issue. Log home maintenance is the same. A well-built log home provides you with a peaceful place to live. If you maintain it right, its life increases to hundreds of years.
Below are the best strategies to safeguard your log home-
Protect The Log Home’s Design
The local climate, design of your log home, and solar orientation determine the potential maintenance issues you may face. Regular inspection is the key to figuring out any problems with the log home design. Check if the moisture is affecting the timber and contributing to its decay. Logs closer to the ground are more at this risk than the farther ones.
You can avoid several problems by simply incorporating a few elements in your log home design. Wrap around the overhangs and porches; it will keep the rain from coming in contact with the logs. Keep the log ends properly sealed for extra protection from the moisture.
If you are living in a snow country, create a foundation such that the first log is around 6 inches above the accumulation. Consider the orientation of your log home so that it is shielded from the sun’s UV rays. For this, look for good quality Colorado log cabin kits and consult with a professional builder.Â
Inspect The Home Thoroughly
The roof system of a log home is the first line of defense against Mother Nature. Any defects or issues with your log home/cabin will stop at the roof first. If the roof system is more complex, it allows more water to penetrate. So, it is crucial to check it regularly for any water stains on paneling or drywall.
Further, the eaves or roof overhangs keep the moisture off the log home walls. If the logs have been exposed to the underside of the roof overhangs of your log homes in Colorado, check the ends of the timber. Since these logs are more exposed to weather effects, they pave the way for decay.
Focus On The Hard Surfaces, Doors, Or Windows
The hard surfaces, such as decks, sidewalks, or driveways, may cause a backsplash onto the logs. Once the moisture penetrates these logs, it may cause mould or mildew. So, check these areas periodically.
Water stains around the log home doors or windows show that water and air are infiltrating the cabin. The log home walls may transfer their weight to the doors and windows unless the shrinkage accounts for the design. So, you won’t be able to open the doors or windows.
If you spot such problems, talk to a professional log home builder for a solution. Also, check flashing around the windows and make sure that rainwater channels down the walls.
Call In The Professionals
You might be a good do-it-yourselfer, but some jobs are better left to the pros to ensure that they are done right. Chinking replacements, stain removal through blasting, enclosing the holes made by woodpeckers, removing severe mould, etc. are the tasks a good log home restoration professional can do right. They may also guide you on DIY home improvement ideas and easy ways to take better care of your log home.
Conclusion
Whether you give your log home annual preventive wash or notice a severe problem in the log home design, don’t ignore it. The longer you let it go, the more costly and difficult it gets. The tips mentioned above can help you take care of your log home and secure it for generations.
