Log home maintenance tasks are typically done in the summer. Here at Edmunds, we are in full swing and making tracks, maintaining log homes all over Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lots of folks out there need a maintenance coat of stain applied or some caulk or chink repair, and then there are the countless other little “should does” before the snow flies.
Your log home probably needs some sort of maintenance every year to ensure that your family has a quality, north woods retreat for years to come. We recently started a project that needed serious maintenance. Caulking cracks and checks in logs is a very important maintenance step.
This Eastern red cedar log cabin getaway is located near Grand Rapids in north central Minnesota. Because of a lack of maintenance over time, this house was vulnerable to water damage, specifically the top logs that most people never get very close to. Other areas of concern were the hollow ends of the cedar logs that tend to rot because of how they grow in the forest.
Caulking cracks and chinks in the log helped prevent water, insects, and bats from entering the home. Other larger critters, like raccoons and squirrels, can make their way into the roof and walls as well. Preventative log home maintenance, such as fixing cracks and chinks and ensuring the roof is sound, can prevent insects, birds, and animals from damaging the home.
It’s easy to forget that vacation homes need maintenance. Most homeowners only get a few days each year to spend at the lake cabin. If this describes you and your family, here’s a tip. While you’re enjoying your time away, set aside a few minutes to inspect the log cabin or home for potential problem areas. We have a free downloadable log cabin or log home checklist you can use.
This year has brought several significant storms, including three in the upper Midwest that dumped 10 to 20 inches of snow over the span of three weeks at the end of April and into May. Cold temperatures and moisture will surely test the finish quality of any log home.
Upward-facing cracks (checks) can retain water for several weeks, creating the perfect environment for logs to quickly rot. On one occasion, while I was working on a log home, I literally tapped one log with a long 1/8 drill bit, and water drained out for several minutes. I made sure that the homeowner saw this perfect example of why we caulk upward-facing checks in logs.
