Don’t Let These Ruin Your Log Home!

Many look to their log home as a place of respite from the rest of the world and some call it their everyday home. Yet, that peace can be shattered by a group of common problems that can lead to big headaches if not taken care of.

Arm yourself with knowing the warning signs so you can take the necessary steps to stop the problems in their tracks.

Protect Your Log Home!

Every once and a while take the time to inspect the foam panels in your ceiling. If there are holes in them, you might have carpenter ants creating tunnels to move in and around your home.

To fix and prevent this from happening, use borate infused panels in your log home and if that doesn’t work you might have to invest in a Bug Kit.

Also, take the time to walk around the house and look for any holes in the wood as these are breeding spots for wasps and bees. To prevent this, clean out the holes and fill them with either caulk or chinking.

One common problem with log home could be water spots on the deck. To fix this you could either use a wood cleaner and clean the deck or simply strip the finish and reapply it after everything is dry.

Schroeder Log Home Supply has a wide variety of products to help you avoid any of these issues. There is nothing worse than a pest, so let us help you get rid of them and keep your log home in great condition. For more information on any of our products, please contact us today!

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.

Bugs might be an issue, but dangerous snakes can try to find a home in your log home too…

Everyone can enjoy and appreciate your beautiful log home unfortunately, not everyone you want. Bugs and snakes could potentially become your unwanted roommates and ruin the integrity of your wood. Not only should you be able to control the unwanted guests in your home but you should be able to preserve and take care of your house.

Here are a few products that will keep the bugs and snakes from making a home out of your home!

Armor-Guard Borate Wood Preservative is borate preservative that is dissolved into water and it will protect wood from decaying and from insects that could do damage. The preservative does not affect the color or application of the wood and is very easy to mix and use. It protects wood from a variety of beetles, ants and fungi. 

There are two Carpenter Bee Kits available, one with Delta Dust and one with Drione Dust. Although it says it’s for carpenter bees, it can be used on ants, wasps, cockroaches, and other indoor and outdoor pests. The Drione kills in minutes, while the Delta takes hours; they’re equally effective. Each kit comes with Delta (or Drione) Dust, 4 oz. of Viper, a Crusader Duster and a face mask.

You can buy Delta Dust or Drione Powder as well as the Viper Insecticide separately. For more information about preventing unwanted visitors in your log home, please contact Schroeder Log Home Supply today.

5 DIY Rustic Decor Ideas for Your Log Home

Finding rustic decor ideas that are a perfect fit for your log home can be challenging and costly.

Here are some unique and easy to make DIY décor ideas:

Log Lamp

We all love the look of the traditional log lamp; it’s a great addition for the rustic look of your log home. Not to mention, it’s easy to make. If you’re looking for a more modern look, utilize the natural cracks in the log and install the light inside. Your lamp will have a unique light pattern and a cool look.

Dog Feeder

If you’re tired of Fido’s food and water bowls constantly spilling on the floor or you just dislike the look of the steel bowls on the floor, add a rustic twist. Sand the bottom of a log down flat, cut out two holes and place the dog bowls in the cut outs. You can also use a raised log feeder for your bigger dogs, making a small table with the same two cut out holes.

Tree Stump Vase

For a beautiful addition to your table try making a wooden vase. Drill a hole into the stump wide enough to fit another vase or a jar inside and tall enough that whatever you put inside doesn’t show over the edge. Sand and varnish the outside of the vase to avoid splinters.

Log Path and Garden

Instead of a stone path through your garden, consider using log slices as steps.  After cutting the log into slices, seal them and lay the logs out to decide how they fit best, then glue them together. If you have a large amount of the log left over, remove the inside, add some soil and seeds and you’ll have a garden in the log.

If you’re interested and would like more décor ideas for your log home, contact Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc.  

Pioneers: Log Cabin Perfectionists

Although the true origin is uncertain, the log home has been around for a long time. Back then, they were somewhat easier to build as two or three men could have one completed in a few days.

These were smaller than our current structures as they were only one room and the floor was made of ground beneath our feet. Now it may seem like these buildings are silly to make now, but the people who used to build them lived a prosperous life.

Log Cabin Life

 

Living in these log cabins out in the woods allowed the pioneers to be self-sufficient. After all they built their homes in the middle of forests where they were surrounded by practically endless supplies. If they wanted food, they simply could have went out and searched for berries or vegetation.

Or if they were looking for dinner, they would only need to find a creek or river and fish. Then at night, they wouldn’t need natural gas to heat their home, they would just build their own fireplace and burn wood to heat the house.

They would also use that fire to help cook the fish they caught earlier in the day. Also, if they weather were to turn, they would be able to insulate the space in between logs to help keep out heat and cold.

Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc offers quality products for your log home including stains and finishes, wood cleaners, chinking, caulking, and wood treatments. If you have any questions about our products or services, please feel free to contact us and let someone from our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you!