Log Home Maintenance – How to Care for Your Log Home

Log home maintenance is different from care of a conventional home. Here are a few things to consider about staining your log home.
Like any wood sided home, a log home must be protected against the elements. How often this treatment takes place will depend on a few things.
The exposure of the home is important. A home that is out in the open, exposed to the sun and wind will need more frequent maintenance than one that is sheltered by surrounding trees and hills.
The color or pigment of the stain will make a difference. More heavily pigmented stains will last longer than lighter or clearer stains.
Finally, the quality of the previous stain job will have a lot to do with how long the stain will last. If the surface is prepared and coated properly, you will get maximum life from each stain application.
Professional log home care service begins with a visit to your home. A thorough examination of the condition of the exterior walls and any prior protective stain will determine what type of log home maintenance is needed. In some cases, the existing stain can be cleaned and renewed with additional coatings of the same or a similar product. In cases where the stain is unevenly worn, it may need to be completely removed in order to allow for a uniform coating of any new stain product.
This is also a good time to look closely at the condition of the logs themselves to be sure that the material is sound. Pay special attention to areas that water can splash onto the house as this may wear away the stain more quickly and eventually damage the integrity of the walls. Look also for discolored wall areas as this may reveal places that require additional care.
If the home has not been previously stained, the steps to protecting the new wood are as follows: Rinse the walls to remove any contaminants which may prevent good stain adhesion. Apply wood preservative, if none is pre-applied by the home manufacturer. This material can be applied by brushing or spraying. Coat the walls with the semi-transparent stain of your choice. Once again, brushing or spraying (followed by back-brushing) will work.
Fortunately, today there are many high-quality products available to preserve these homes. And these products are safe for both the applicator and the environment. Even the products used to clean the exterior walls have become far more environmentally friendly in recent years.
Log home maintenance is as unique as the home itself. Proper application of stain to repel the water and screen the sun will insure that your home is well protected for years to come.