Preserving Old Cabins

All houses need yearly maintenance, but log homes require special care because of the way the building is constructed. Rather than letting your costly investment deteriorate in front of your eyes and fall into disrepair, you can easily stay on top of the small preservation tasks required each year.

1. Pests

Insects love to burrow into unsealed or dead wood. That is why it is important to keep all dead pieces of wood, fireplace logs, and dying brush at least 6 feet away from your home. Check yearly for signs of carpenter bees, termites, and carpenter ants. While wandering around your home, look for signs of squirrels, woodpeckers, and raccoons, too. Even a tiny hole can allow the critters entrance into your home.

2. Moisture

The best way to prevent your log home from soaking up moisture near the ground is to remove garden beds that require a great deal of liquid. By soaking the plant’s roots, the water has the ability to leech into the logs as they touch the wet earth. If possible, make sure the foundation is at least two feet above ground level to make sure drainage is adequate.

3. Rot

Cleaning and staining the logs every three to five years can help protect your home’s wood from the damage UV rays can do. To prevent the problem, call in a log home restoration Breckenridge CO, to see if any microfungi or rot has begun on UV damaged logs. It is also helpful to plant shade trees on the side of your home that gets consistently hot sunshine for several hours a day.

Logs homes are a special type of building with some unusual problems, but they do not have to be overwhelmingly complicated. Maintaining a task list that locates possible pests, removes potential moisture problems, and eliminates UV damage can go far in keeping your log home safe and sound for decades.