All homes often suffer damage in one way or the other from time to time. If you are a log owner, it is always essential for you to know the signs that could indicate the need to hire a restoration contractor as well as the types of repairs that should be conducted on your log cabin. You should have a clear understanding of what you can do on your own and what should be left to the restoration contractors. When building a log cabin, it is critical to ensure that it is made on a well-drained location, with the lower logs being two or three feet above the ground. The log cabin roof should also overhang the wooden walls by at least three feet. Both of these design features will help keep water off the logs of your home. However, even when you take all these measures, you will need some repairs or restoration at one point in time. Some of them will be minor while others will require some serious attention.
Here are some warning signs that indicate that your log cabin needs some attention from a restoration contractor.
External Structural Damage
If a vehicle or a wild deer was to crash into the side of your log cabin, some of the logs could get damaged to the extent that they will need some replacement. Performing such restoration work is not necessarily beyond the scope of a reasonably handy homeowner, but it is quite a big job. First, you will need to get logs from the company which milled the original ones. And if you cannot trace the original miller, a local sawmill or a particular log restoration company could do the trick. You would also need a powerful reciprocating saw to cut out the damaged section. You will probably need to use some metal-cutting blades to cut through any bolts or spikes that held the logs in place. As you can probably see, multiple high-end tools are required to restore any exterior damage on your log cabin successfully. And if the damage is just too extensive or high above your reach, the only solution might be to jack up the entire wall for all restoration works to be performed, a task that can only be handled by restoration contractors. After the damaged log parts have been removed, new log sections are then installed and toe-nailed into the right position.
Rot
The presence of rot in the logs of a log cabin is a telltale indicator of a severe moisture problem. The visible rot, as well as any other underlying issues, will need to be handled accordingly. With decay, you will need to cut out the damaged section, purchase log sections to match the part and perform the repair just as mentioned earlier. The new log section should then be coated with a finish which resists mold, mildew, and insects, and complete everything with a coating which lets your logs “breathe,” i.e., a layer that allows water vapor in the woods to escape while repelling moisture at the same time.
In most cases, the underlying problem resulting in rot is often the exposure to excess moisture, and the logs do not have enough time to dry up. If you have not installed some gutters on your roof edge, it is essential to have them installed since they can prevent water that splashes onto your logs from the ground. You could also have your leaky gutters fixed as well as trim any shrubbery whose leaves are always rubbing against the woods because rainwater that falls on them could be easily transferred to the logs. A moisture problem could also result in excess of mold in your log cabin, a problem that can only be solved by a mold restoration contractor.
Insect Damage
Carpenter ants and termites are a common sight in most residential areas. Logs that are adequately maintained and treated are less vulnerable to the damage caused by such insects. Some of the most important signs to watch out for could include small sawdust piles beneath the holes these insects bore. Carpenter ants and termites also like a moist habitat, so if you happen to spot them, you should know that there is an underlying moisture problem that you need to address. Once you eliminate the excess moisture, you will not have to worry about these insects invading your log cabin. You could spray the insect holes with some insecticide, insert borate plugs or pour in borates to drive the insects out. In some instances, the insect infestation might be too much for the average homeowner to handle. In such a case, you would need to utilize the services of a restoration contractor.
Cracks in the Logs
While this is often considered to be normal, the truth is that cracks that are too big could have some devastating effects on your log cabin. When ignored, these cracks could cause your home to crumble down. If you notice cracks developing on the logs of your home, you should get in touch with a restoration contractor to have the issue addressed immediately before it gets out of hand.
Paint Peeling Off
If you built your log cabin some decades ago, the chances are that the paint you had applied on the exterior has started wearing out and you need to apply a new coat. In some cases, the color will start coming off as soon as it has been exposed to too much sunlight or water. If you realize that your paint is falling off quite unusually, you should consider hiring a restoration contractor to have a fresh coat on your log cabin. This way, you will give your home a fresh new look. Restoration contractors are well-versed with the kind of paint that is ideal for your climatic region.
Leaky Roof
If it rains and you realize that your roof is letting some water into your fireplace, you should know that you have a leaky roof that needs immediate attention. This should be handled before things go out of hand for you.