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Log home maintenance is something that is a continual project for most log home owners. Typically, it is confined to reapplying log stains and applying a little caulking or chinking material. Log home maintenance does not have to be a headache if you set up a maintenance program. Below you will find some helpful tips for maintaining your log home.

1. Walk around the perimeter of your log home once a year.
2. Look to see if you have any new checks that need to be filled with caulking material.
3. Examine any high moisture areas for possible water damage. If rot is present use a wood restoration product to remedy the situation.
4. Look for any small holes created from wood boring insects. Check with Mountain Home Building Products in regards to fixing this type of problem.
5. Look to see whether your log stain is faded.
6. Lightly clean your wood before applying more stain material. The idea is to remove any dirt, dust or debris from the surface of your wood. The new stain material will only be as good as the surface that it adheres to.
7. It is best to use the same stain that was originally applied to your log home. Switching stains is possible but make sure that the new stain is compatible with the old stain material.
8. Use a quality log home stain. I recommend a product called Transformation from Sashco. The better the stain material, the less maintenance your logs will require.
9. Log home stains should last about 3 years on the southern exposure of your log home and 4-5 years on the other sides of your home. The better surface preparation you do, the longer your log home stain will last.
10. Fill all checks and cracks that are a 1/4” or greater. This will prevent any water or bugs from getting in your home.
11. Look for any tears in your chinking. This material can happen from a poor initial application of chinking or excessive movement in your wood. Fixing the torn chinking can be as easy as re-applying more chinking material to the existing chinking. Most chinking materials adhere to themselves.

In conclusion, the more you stay on top of your log home maintenance, the easier and cost effective it will be. For more information about log home maintenance, chinking or log home stains contact Mountain Home Building Products at 800-490-3695. Mountain Home Building Products is a leading distributor of chinking, log home stains, log caulking, clear wood finishes, log siding, house logs & rustic lighting.

Selecting the right stain for your log home can be confusing and time consuming. Below you will find some helpful hints to guide you through the selection process.

1. Oil based stains typically penetrate into the wood and have a strong odor. Oil based stains can be used on logs, wood siding, decks, hand rails or roofing materials. Not all oil based stains are created the same.
2. Water based stains typically form a coating on the surface of the wood and have a low odor. They can be used on logs or wood siding but can present problems when used on decking surfaces. Not all water based stains are created the same.
3. Always test the stain on a wood sample from your home.
4. Clean your wood sample the same way your wood will be cleaned prior to the application of the stain.
5. This cleaning process can dramatically change the color of the stain material on your home and sample area.
6. Allow the stain sample area to dry for 24 hours.
7. Apply the same number of coats to your test sample area as you intend to apply to your log home.
8. Start at the top of your logs and work down when applying your log home stain.
9. Spraying the stain first is preferred but not absolutely necessary.
10. Always back brush your stain into the wood.
11. Oil based stains are typically easier to apply.
12. Water based stains can show lap marks and brush marks if you are not careful during the application of the products.
13. Water based stains clean up with soap and water.
14. Oil based stains clean up with solvents.
15. Water based stains can hide some of the grain of the wood.
16. Oil based stains typically allow more of your wood grain to show.
17. Some water based stains are prone to flake and peel on the surface of your wood. This is due to poor application of the stain material or it could be a bad water based stain product. A good water based stain will allow your wood to breath and expand and contract as your wood does thus preventing any flaking and peeling on the surface.
18. Some oil based stains fade very quickly and your wood is left with no protection. Once again, this can be attributed to poor stain application or it could be just a bad oil based stain product.
19. A good stain material should last 3-4 years on the southern exposure of your log home and 4-5 years on the other sides of your home. If you have found a stain product that outperforms these numbers then stick with it.
20. No stain will last the lifetime of your log home.
21. Stain technology has come a long ways in the last 20 years. There is a wider selection of good stains but there are still quite a few inferior stains on the market today.

For more information about chinking material, application tools or contractor referrals contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695.