Continuing Wood Treatment Training with Sansin

At the end of February we returned to Sansin University for continued learning on wood science, coating chemistry, and the best solutions for protecting wood and enhancing its beauty in different scenarios. Sansin University (Sansin U) is an in-person learning experience that helps Sansin’s retail, architectural and commercial customers understand best practices on the preparation, application and maintenance of Sansin wood finishes. It all starts with the science behind wood protection. Once you understand the natural properties of wood, one can better understand the keys to protecting wood from weathering and how to balance protection with aesthetics. In addition to log, we are proponents of architectural wood in all its forms and applications, and so find it important to stay knowledgeable on the best ways to enhance and protect wood in different scenarios. We are grateful to Sansin for this training opportunity!

Questions on maintaining the legacy of your wood structure? Give us a call- 1-800-359-6614

Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc.
1101 SE 7th Avenue
Grand Rapids MN 55744

www.loghelp.com

 

Restoration Tips For Making An Old Log Home Look Newer & Stronger

Whether it’s lacking time to keep up with regular maintenance or you’ve just moved into a log home, restoring it’s beautify can be a big project. If you’re interested in doing the repairs yourself, here are a few tips that can help you with your project.

Cracks

Check for large cracks where dirt and rain could accumulate. Use a good quality caulk that allows for your logs to expand and contract. You’ll be able to find a caulk that matches the stain or finish of your home.  However, if it is a large area, you may need to contact a professional.

Discoloration

Mold can grow where finish is coming off of the logs; use a soft brush or one of our buffing brushes and a bleach/water mixture to clean it off. Hose it off thoroughly and let it dry before moving forward with other repairs. 

If there is an area where the finish is wearing off prematurely it is most likely where water is dripping or splashing often. This can lead to mold and wood rot; add gutters or redirect the water away from the logs.

Damage

If there is an area of rot or damage, you can use Penetreat to keep the logs from rotting further and then use Liquid Wood to seal the cracks. Then, use new wood to fill the damaged area. If the logs are painted, then the logs would need to be stripped with a chemical stripper or sanded before starting the rot removal process. 

You can find a more detailed process on our Log Home Restoration Maintenance Products page.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your home repairs or have any questions, please contact Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc. today.

Spring Cleaning: Repairs and Upgrades to Combat Log Decay

 Spring is one of the best times to make repairs or upgrades on your log home. One of the major concerns of log homeowners is the damage caused by moisture due snow. As the snow begins to melt, the home is again highly vulnerable to moisture damage. Here are a few pointers for dealing with wood decay caused by wet winter months so you can enjoy the good weather soon to come!

As snow begins to melt, the wet weather leaves log homeowners at risk of log decay, or the rotting of wood due to moisture. Rotting logs on your home is an issue you should repair in punctual fashion. Do a thorough walkthrough in and around your home, and if you discover rotting wood you should cut the rotten parts out and replace is with new log sections.

Take Preventative Measures Next With Log Decay

 

Once you have replaced the rotten wood, it is essential to coat the new log with insect, mold and mildew repellants. Since rot is a problem associated with moisture, it is particularly important to add a final coating that will give the wood more breathability, allowing water to escape the log, as well as to repel moisture.

It’s also wise to check your roof and make sure that you aren’t having wood rotting caused by water run-off. Cleaning your gutters can help prevent excessive water run-off, and if you don’t have gutters this is a great time of year to have them installed. If you have trees or shrubs that brush excessively against your log home you should trim them since rainwater can be transferred to wood.

For almost three decades Schroeder Log Home Supply has been helping its customers protect their log cabins or homes from pests or other problems. Contact us today and we will show you how we can help you protect your home.

What Melting Snow Can Do To A Log Home And Products To Prevent Damage

Just as with a traditional home built of wood frame and drywall, a log home is susceptible to water damage from melting snow. In areas of the country that receive high volumes of snow, when it melts, water can seep into the home from the soaking ground level and from reaching the interior walls or logs.

Wood has a natural amount of moisture within the logs. This water will not damage the log home's structure, but excessive water can lead to problems that require big fixes.

Common complications caused by too much water (i.e. from melting snow) include:

·         Mold and mildew build up on the logs

·         Log rot and decay

·         Deformation of the logs

·         Insect infestation

When built correctly, logs homes have a protective seal coated on to prevent the above from happening. However, if there is an abundance of snow on the roof of the log home, there is no guarantee the above problems won't occur.

The first step you will want to take is making sure your walls and roof are properly sealed. Water can seep through the logs, but a quality sealant will act as a barrier. We do have a variety of products to aid in the resistance against melting snow.

Energy Seal Textured Caulk by Perma-chink seals gaps around between log joints and around wood trim, windows, and doors.

 

Log Jam Chinking is an acrylic elastic log chinking joint sealant. It can absorbs log movement that happens over time. This product stretches and re-seals itself.

WeatherSeal Stain Log Home Finish is a great barrier against weather elements like melting snow. When mixed together it creates a creamy texture that really adheres to the wood.

Schroeder Log Home Supply, we provide these and other products at great prices. For additional products we have that will work against melting snow, feel free to contact us.

What’s Life Like as a Mobile Log Home Owner?

It’s no surprise to our readers as to how much we love supplying log homes. There’s something so special about building with wood, let alone living under it. It’s that sense of home sweet home you can’t get with other construction materials. And lucky for you (and us), you can bring it on the road.

Now, having a mobile home is a unique lifestyle: You’re constantly resettling, but always settled. But having a mobile log home is even more unique, because you’re combining both the benefits of a log home and a mobile home. You’ll have that space you love with you at all times, but it’ll be different. And we’re here to tell you how to keep yourself equipped for what lies ahead.

By taking your log home on the road, you open yourself up to issues you wouldn’t otherwise have as a settled home owner. Fuel, of course, is one thing. The high costs of travel can add up quickly, and can stump mobile log home owners before they even leave the state. But don’t fret: solar and alternative energies for wood homes are readily available, and can be installed anywhere you go.

Keeping Your Log Home Exterior Healthy

However, keep in mind that the log home will be vulnerable to varied forces of nature, since you’ll be going through different terrains, and may decay or chip. That means you have to be proactive, and keep your wood healthy. In order to do so, invest some time in caulking, coating, finishing, and pest control, all of which can be found on our site.

 

Also, now that you’re on the move, you’ll want to make sure your wood is safely constructed. That said, we offer a wide range of fasteners, screw jacks, and other building tools to keep that home together, no matter the landscape.

The best part of the mobile log home is that it will remind you how durable wood is. Because don’t forget: In the end, it’s born and raised in nature. If anything, you’re putting it up to its natural test. Especially on the road.

8 Things to Look for When Buying a Log Home

 

1) Low Foundations

                The foundation of your log home, like any other building, is fundamental to its construction. Check to make sure that the logs along the bottom exterior wall of the home aren't too close to the ground. Logs in contact with the ground are often subject to extra environmental wear from moisture rot and insect damage.

2) Sloping Floors

                Over time, log homes settle as moisture evaporates from their timbers. This moisture loss results in a cycle of shrinking and settling that can sometimes lead to uneven, sloping floor surfaces. Uneven floors are an indication that the timbers were not adequately seasoned and dried prior to construction. Be on the look out and bear in mind that sloping floors might also signal other issues in the foundation.

3) Roof Overhangs

                Many log homes feature roofs with large, overhangs and deep, broad eaves. This type of roof design doesn't just serve an aesthetic purpose. It also helps to protect the exterior walls of the home from the effects of weathering. This will help to keep your log home looking newer, longer. In general, the bigger the overhang the better.

4) Porches

                Porches can work in conjunction with those long roof overhangs to keep moisture well away from the exterior walls of a home. Likewise, many log homes are constructed with porch space in mind. Consider these porches an added bonus when looking for a log home, both in terms of comfort and utility.

5) Gutters and Drainage

                Your log home will likely need more than a few large roof overhangs to effectively divert moisture. A well designed gutter and drainage system is of vital importance to the longevity of your home. Make sure downspouts are directed away from the foundation, and always consider the influence that the grade of your land will have on drainage.

6)  Carpenter Bees

                Insects are some of the foremost enemies of log homes, and carpenter bees are perhaps the worst offenders. Carpenter bees burrow into the exterior of log homes in order to incubate larvae. Wood peckers, in turn, are drawn to the larvae and will soon proceed to peck their little brains out all over your home. Keep an eye out, both for the cavities drilled by the bees, and for damage from wood peckers. Both are tell-tale indicators of carpenter bee activity.

7) Do-It-Yourself Work

                Back in the second half of the 20^th century, when log homes were especially “in vogue,” a number of manufacturers produced do-it-yourself kits for ambitious folks who wanted to build their own log homes. Unfortunately, many of these enterprising souls were unfamiliar with the finer points of home building, and so they wound up with finished products of rather questionable quality. Watch out for haphazard utility installation and substandard finishing work that might suggest unprofessional construction.

8) Flame Retardants

                Sometimes, log homes are treated with flame retardant products that help to reduce the risk of fire. Be sure to ask about these products when shopping around for a log home. Not only will they keep you safe, they can also help to lower your homeowner's insurance premiums.

These are just a few things to look out for when buying a log home. For more information about log homes, please feel free to call our toll free number, visit our website, or come in to Schroeder Log Home Supply today!