A Chink in the Armor- Log homes inspections - Chelan and Leavenworth Home Inspections

Log home are beautiful and can add a sense of charm in the environment that they are built.

But they also come with some of their own unique challenges.

Performing a log home inspection will come with some extra work to be done when evaluating a log home.  Being that they are made with, well logs, they are much more of a dynamic material than most traditional building materials.

The logs have a tendency to move and shrink during the first few years after construction.  This is to be expected. The amount of shrinkage that takes place in wood depends on several factors such as the amount of moisture loss, the tree species as well as grain orientation.The location and design of a log home is a major contributing factor to long-term maintenance costs and upkeep.

Here is some examples of an upward checks, one that is allowing some moisture intrusion into the home.

The two major areas of concern will be staining and caulking. Your log home will require some sort of stain or sealant between 6 months and 1 year after construction and every 3 year or so depending on the environment.  Logs can become deteriorated by weather. Stains and coatings are designed to protect log surfaces from UV damage and excessive checking caused by log drying.

Special attention should be given to exposed log ends. End grain absorbs twelve times more water than the rest of the log surface. If left unprotected, end grain is particularly susceptible to fungal attack and deterioration.

Here is a example of weathering of the end grain in a log home.

Chinking will need to be performed to prevent air, moisture and bug intrusion. Special attention needs to be used on upward facing checks/cracks. They can be a pesky source of air and water infiltration. The wider and deeper they are, the greater the potential for problems. Sealing the checks with a caulking /chinking material will usually cure the situation.  It is a good idea to saturate the checking first with a wood preservative prior to caulking. This extra precaution will greatly reduce any chance of any rot.

Maintenance will be critical in keeping your log home in tip top shape.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                               509-670-9572