A log cabin is a unique style of home that people appreciate owning. Strongly built log structures give an energy-efficient and peaceful place to live. And, if you preserve or maintain this property, its lifespan can be several hundred years. If you already have a log home or thinking to own one, here are six best strategies to safeguard it for a long time:
1. Protect Your Log Home By Design
The design of your log cabin, its solar orientation, and local climate determine what kind of maintenance issues you may face. Thus, visual inspection of the log home is the key to detecting any potential problems with the log home design. Check if the moisture is getting a foothold on the timbers, and contributing to the decay. The logs that are closer to the ground are more at risk than the farther ones.
2. Inspect The Roof System
The roof is the primary defense against Mother Nature. Any defects or issues with your humble abode will shop at the roof first. The more complex the root system is, the more opportunities for water to penetrate. Therefore, it is necessary to check the attic periodically for water stains on the drywall, and groove paneling.
3. Check Under The Eaves
The roof overhangs, also known as eaves, helps keep moisture or water off the log walls. If you have exposed logs on the underside of the eaves of your log cabins in Colorado, check ends of the timbers. As these logs are exposed to the weather effects of wind, sun, rain, etc., they pave the way for decay, if not addressed.
4. Pay Attention To Hard Surfaces, Doors & Windows
When hot with rain or sprinkler systems, hard surfaces like driveways, decks, or sidewalks cause a backsplash onto the logs. If the moisture penetrates these logs, it may cause molds, mildew, or decay. So, make sure to check these areas regularly.
Water stains on the logs around your windows or doors indicate that water and air are infiltrating your cabin. Unless the log shrinkage accounts for its design, the log walls will transfer their entire weight to the doors and windows. As a result, you won’t be able to open the doors or windows. If you suspect such problems, contact a professional log home builder for a solution. Besides, check the flashing around the windows to ensure that the rainwater channels out or down the walls.
5. Beware Of The Ice Dams
During the winter months, ice dams may form on the roofs of log cabins that can be costly damage to repair, if not dealt with. Determine signs, such as snow-covered towards the eaves, lots of icicles hanging from the eaves, while bare at the peak. You can prevent the ice dams by preventing the warm air buildup in your house. Try to increase the insulation amount to improve the ventilation; it will help the warm air to escape quickly.
6. Settle The Jacks
In many of the log homes, vertical posts are created to shoulder the weight of the roof system. The builder installs jacks inside the posts that are hidden behind the stylish flooring. This way, one can lower the roof’s center and the roof system to the level of the wall perimeter. As this settlement may take years for the timber to settle, it is important to talk to the builder to know at what rate the jacks need to be lowered.
Whether your log home is aging or freshly built, preventative maintenance is of utmost importance. You need to be a well-informed homeowner who determines the problem areas, take immediate actions, and safeguard the property for years to come.
