Cabin repair can be a major task if regular log home maintenance has been neglected. This introduction to the causes of cabin deterioration will save you money and show you how to have trouble-free log home living. Some of the main causes for a log home to need repair are storm damage, fire damage, insect damage, failure of the finish (sealant, stain, or varnish), incomplete information on how to maintain your log home or simple neglect.
Are you contemplating a cabin restoration or log repair project? It’s important to educate yourself on what may be involved to get a realistic estimate of your time, money and resources.
This introduction to cabin restoration will give you a background on the causes of wood decay, as well as remedies for improper building practices that may have led to your log home’s deterioration.
Any home requires regular care and attention and log homes have their own unique cabin maintenance requirements. If you build a log cabin or buy one that’s in good shape, you can easily keep it in top shape with regular maintenance, providing, of course, that the cabin design was correct in the first place.
Problems arise when log homes are left alone for too long and the inevitable decay sets in. We’ll look into how we can stop the decline, reverse the damage done and complete a cabin repair you can be proud of.
Many people think that the primary issue with log homes would be fire, but massive logs and timbers are actually quite difficult to get burning – not that we needn’t be careful with open fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and other sources of ignition.
But the real enemy of log homes is not fire, it’s water. If we can keep the logs dry and well-ventilated they will last indefinitely. The best way to do this is with large overhangs on the roof. This gets back to having a proper cabin design to begin with, because this can be very hard to remedy later.
Recommended overhangs by ILBA (International Log Builders Association) call for one foot of overhang for every eight feet of log wall height. If you have to replace your roof or open it up for insulation, consider adding longer eave and gable overhangs.
In particular, structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are great for the large expanses of a typical cabin roof. Their rigid nature allows you to run them long to provide shade and protection for your logs and they provide excellent insulation and a tight roof shell.
Every crack, joint and crevice must be sealed to maintain the air-tight and water-tight integrity of the log cabin and prevent water or bugs from getting into the spaces. It’s much cheaper and easier to prevent the damage than to face an entire log home restoration project simply because the proper building techniques were not followed in the first place.
Proper cabin preservation would provide a barrier of protection for the logs themselves with a good log stain, sealant or finish that allows the wood to breathe naturally while resisting water penetration.
Cabin repairs can be kept to a minimum by keeping mold and mildew cleaned from your logs using a mixture of bleach, water and TSP. Scrub your logs with this mixture and a soft brush, making sure to thoroughly rinse off and let dry for a day or two.
Wash the entire cabin clean of dirt and cobwebs with a pressure washer, being careful to use a pressure setting not greater than 500 psi and use a pressure washer tip of 15° - 20°. For more details on cleaning the cabin see our page on cabin restoration.
Being constructed of an organic material, log homes are a natural haven for bugs of all sorts. Left to themselves these pests can cause long-term damage to your logs and timbers and leave you with a costly cabin rehab. Here are some of the most common pests and what you can do about them:
Cabin repair projects require their own set of unique tools and techniques. In addition to regular log home building tools, you may need to utilize some of these specialty items to properly address the restoration issues:
Further information on cabin repair can be found on our Cabin Library page, with many books on cabin restoration and log home building.
For an in-depth look at cabin restoration and repair, read the National Parks Service Preservation Brief #26: “The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings” by Bruce D. Bomberger.
See definitions and explanations of terms used in cabin rehab in our cabin restoration glossary.
Cabin repair may involve a small project or a complete overhaul and rehab. Once you understand the unique issues and techniques involved, you can adequately plan your approach and budget your resources.
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