Log Home Maintenance

If you have built your log home from scratch, or if you bought one that was preexisting, it is very important to keep it properly maintained.  Log homes and log cabins are not maintence free, which is a very common misconception.  Even though the maintence is relatively less in a log home or log cabin, in comparison to other homes, it is still necessary to perform routine duties.

Depending on how the home is designed will play a big factor in the maintence requirements.  For example, a log home with drywall will require more maintence than one with tongue and groove wall coverings installed.  Here are some basic tips to get you started:

1. Routine inspections of the foundation where termite control chemicals were introduced at the time of backfilling are necessary to see if another treatment is necessary.
2. Treat the exterior logs with a sealant designed specifically for log homes, or wood siding.  The manufacturer will advise how often to perform this task.
3. Caulk knotholes as soon after construction as possible, and then inspect it regularly.  These areas tend to collect water and decay quickly.
4. Caulk any new insect holes that appear as soon as they are noticed.
5. Follow any adjustments schedules the manufacture provides to account for settling.

These tips will get started, but are by all means not the end of the checklist you should be following to properly maintain your log home.  In addition to good communication (ask a lot of questions) with the log home manufacturer, there are numerous publications and web sites geared toward extensive log home maintence plans.