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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.

Before or after buying your log home there are certain things every log homeowner should know. Some things might be open for debate but one thing is for sure, your log home will require attention. This doesn’t mean that you will spend all of your waking hours staining, caulking, sealing, chinking, re-caulking, re-chinking and re-sealing. It does mean that you will need to pay attention to your log home like you might pay attention to your car. Below you will find some helpful tips and information to guide you through owning a log home.

1. Have realistic expectations for the maintenance on your log home. There will be some.
2. Set up a routine log home maintenance schedule.
3. Follow a routine log home maintenance schedule.
4. Apply log stain when your log home needs it. Remember you get what you pay for most of the time. Good log home stains are not cheap but you will save you money in the long run.
5. Good log home stains will offer about 3 years of protection on the southern exposure of your log home and 4 years of protection on the other sides of your home. These figures are just estimates and will vary depending on a number of factors.
6. Expect to caulk or chink your log home at some point.
7. Some log homes require more chinking, caulking and stain than others
8. Almost all log homes require some chinking or caulking whether it be in the horizontal log joints, the corners of the logs or around your window bucks.
9. As we mentioned earlier, the better the log stain material the less stain maintenance your logs will require.
10. Design your log home with maintenance in mind. Remember the less exposure your logs take the less maintenance they will require.
11. Square logs weather better than round logs.
12. Log home chinking can be used for aesthetic purposes or as a weather-tite barrier.
13. Log home caulking should typically blend in with your logs. Conceal caulking by Sashco sets itself apart from all competitors.
14. Some water based log stain materials are very good while others are very bad.
15. Some oil based log stain materials are very bad while others are very good.
16. Your log home stains should be compatible with your log chinking and your log home caulking materials.
17. The preferred time to maintain your log structure is typically during the summer.
18. Remember you log home is a dream home. Don’t forget to treat it like one.

For more information about log home caulking , chinking, log home stains or contractor referrals contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695.