Four Tips to Help with Small Repairs and Rotted Wood with Log Homes
If you have a log home, it is something that can last for generations. But in order for you to be able to hand the house down to your heirs, you have to keep up with the maintenance. Part of the maintenance of a log home is repairing insect and water damage that can cause a host of problems. Catching the problems in time can allow you to do these simple repairs. Here are some tips to help with small repairs to your log home and ensure it lasts for many more generations.
1. Sealing Up Cracks and Chinking to Ensure There Are No Leaks
Chinking is the filler that is between the logs in your home. This material can sometimes become dry or fall out in older homes. When you do maintenance, look for these problems and fill in any cracks in the chinking. In addition, you will want to occasional check the caulking around things like windows and entrances, as the caulking can also decay and needs to be replaced from time to time in order to protect your home from water damage.
2. Dealing with the Little Critters That Eat Away at Wood Every Year
Another problem that you may have to deal with is critters that eat wood on your home every year. These critters can be insects like carpenter bees or termites. Some animals, like birds, may even try to make their homes in logs. It is a good idea to have your home treated regularly with a pesticide to keep insects away. For birds and animals, try ways to deter them from nesting in your home such as creating nesting environments for them away from your home.
3. Finding and Addressing Problems with Wood That Has Begun to Decay
Another problem that you will have to address with your log home is wood decay. The decay is often due to minor problems with insects, animals, and water damage. You will just want to remove the rotted material and fill it in with a wood putty. This is something that can be done before you apply a coat of sealant on the logs to ensure the problems do not resurface.
4. Applying a Sealant on Logs When Needed to Protect Them from the Elements
The logs on your home are constantly exposed to the elements. This is why a sealant or treatment is applied to the logs. Sealants should be applied to your home every few years to ensure it is protected. You may want to do regular maintenance and repairs before you have a coat of sealant applied to the logs of your home.
These are some tips to help with the repairs to your log home and ensure it lasts for generations. If you have any problems that have gotten too big for you to handle, contact a log-home repair contractor to help restore the wood and ensure it is in good shape.