The timeless, natural beauty of a well-built log home is quite stunning and hearkens back to pioneering days. Today’s modern log homes can be quite exquisite and sophisticated, with vast open cathedral ceilings and incredible craftsmanship on full display with exposed timber-framing elements throughout.
However, if I’m being honest, log homes require more maintenance than traditional homes. Why?
Exposed exterior log elements will naturally crack, a phenomenon known as “checking” which, although it’s not a structural concern, renders exterior logs vulnerable to water intrusion. And, with water intrusion comes the increased possibility of water and insect damage. In fact, horizontal “checks”/cracks in exterior logs commonly extend to the interior core of the log and, if you think like a raindrop, guess where that water is going? Yep, right to the interior core of the log.
With repeated exposure to moisture, rot develops inside logs and wood-destroying organisms take root. Interior log core damage generally isn’t visible without log core drilling, and often your first sign of deterioration will be water stains or dark discoloration of logs. When you see this, there’s the real possibility that the entire log may require (very costly) replacement.
Think about it: how do you actually replace a rotten structural log? It requires a specialist, is quite involved, and, trust me, it’s expensive. If you maintain your logs, you’re well-positioned to enjoy the log home for generations to come. But if you don’t, you’re inviting unwelcome and very costly surprises.
- Tim Hance
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