Having a log home is a delight, but they do require some upkeep to prolong their lifespan. Below, we’ve listed a few important steps to take when considering how to take care of your log home.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Your gutters serve a unique purpose in keeping water from damaging your logs over time, but they need some TLC routinely. Especially during the fall months because of falling leaves and debris. If your gutters become clogged, they become a breeding ground for all kinds of detestable things and create a mess.
However, if you neglect to clean out your gutters and they clog it will allow water to overflow and run down the exterior logs of your home. This overflow can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, and premature decay. Cleaning out your gutters may be messy, but it is critical that you do it.
Wash the Exterior of Your Log Home
Because cleaning out your gutters is a messy task, that is why we suggest you do it first before washing the exterior logs of your home. Here at WNC Blast/Wash & Stain, we have found that pressure washing your logs with hot water and customized treatment solutions is the best way to get your exterior fresh.
Thoroughly cleaning your exterior is the first step in any process of treating your logs. Once your logs are clean and dry, it is the perfect time to conduct an inspection to look for any issues that need attention.
Inspect Your Log Home Exterior
Take the time to walk around each side of your home and look for areas such as missing chinking, damage from mold and mildew, and even damage from insects and birds. If left untreated, these areas can create opportunities for water to seep in and destroy your logs. If you are unsure about anything, hire a professional like WNC Blast/Wash & Stain to help you.
Once your exterior is clean, it will also allow you to see the condition of your stain and if it needs additional work. Water and sunlight are your main enemies when it comes to keeping the exterior of your logs looking great.
Sealing Your Log Home
Protecting your logs with sealant is imperative to prolonging the life of your log home. Sealants keep water from seeping into the various crevices within logs and allows water to bead up and roll off. As the temperatures get, colder this is extremely important because as water freezes, it expands and can create cracks within your logs.
Even if you notice areas of cracking that are small in your inspection address them now as opposed to later to prevent further damage from happening. This is just as important for your log chinking and caulking because it is what makes your home airtight. If you ignore any of these issues, it will have a direct effect on your heating costs throughout the winter.
Other Areas to Check
Finally, your logs should not be the only thing you check as we move into the winter months. Heating costs in the winter typically rise, and it is best to be proactive in keeping those costs down as much as possible with a little pre-planning.
Take the time now to be sure that all the stripping around your windows and doors is in good working condition. Unwanted winter drafts bring chills but also insects and rodents, even they get cold and will look for places to stay warm when the temperatures drop.
Last but not least, at all is to check for leaks and damage to your roof. Even the smallest of leaks can cause an unimaginable amount of damage. Seal any areas that could be leaking off before they cause more significant issues that will cost you more out of pocket later.
However, you can save yourself valuable time by hiring a reputable contractor such as WNC Blast/Wash & Stain to handle all of this for you. We have the right equipment, contractor grade products, and expertise to complete maintenance of your log home quickly and efficiently. We are here to help you keep your home looking the best that it possibly can throughout every season. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a quote today!