maintenance | CASTLEMANAGER

Log Home Maintenance 101

October 2, 2021 Comments Off

Log home maintenance is very important if you want your log home to last a long time, whether you live full-time in your home or only use it for holidays and vacations.
These homes have a certain charm. They exude warmth, coziness, and laid-back comfort. They inspire a sort of lingering, as if living there somehow calms people down. To preserve its charm, it is imperative that a cabin be given the proper attention and care.
It is best to be organized when it comes to log maintenance. Keeping a schedule will allow you to maximize the care of your home, especially since it is subject to the changes of the seasons, as well as varying weather patterns throughout the year. Regularly checking your log home also allows you to keep track of its state and address problems without too much time passing by.
You can hire a professional to oversee the maintenance of your log home or you can do it yourself. Maybe in the first year or so, you can ask for assistance from a professional, if you do not feel confident about doing it by yourself. A professional company can provide services that include cleaning, and sealing, caulking, sanding, and staining. A professional can help you check for any rotting in the logs, and how to repair it. They can check if there are gaps between the wood and your windows or doors, and they can check your gutters as well. Since wood deteriorates faster under heavy exposure to water, you need to make sure that your gutters are clean and clear. You also need to make sure there are no leaks.
Professional companies can assist you with all these things. They can give you tips on what you can do yourself. You just need to find a log maintenance and repair company you can trust. You can research on which companies are reliable and dependable, most of them have websites filled with information. You can also check out blogs by other log cabin owners. If you can join a network of home owners, you can trade ideas, insights, concerns, and recommendations. The best way to find out if a company does its job well is to see proof of it. Other log home owners can help you with that. These networks are great sources of information. You can find tips, reviews, warnings and referrals among the users.
Log home repair and maintenance companies usually offer an assessment and consultation, during which they can tell you about the state your log home is in, and what repairs and maintenance measures are needed. Ask them about alternatives and options, in case your budget is a concern. Negotiate the price. If you cannot afford the full service they are offering, maybe they can tell you which repairs are most pressing and requires their services and which ones you can do yourself.
Log maintenance is hard work but it is essential. You will not regret the time, effort and resources you put into maintaining your log home.

Log Home Maintenance Tips

September 29, 2021 Comments Off

Maintaining a log home may feel like a huge project. The longer you put it off, the more work it requires. However, with a little effort each year, you can keep your home looking beautiful for years to come. Here are a few tips.
1) Start with good quality products. Log home stains and sealers are NOT all the same. As a general rule, you will get what you pay for. Most of the economy grade stains are designed to be reapplied every year. While it may seem like its saving a little money up front, it ends up costing more in the long run. On the other hand, most of your high quality stains are made to be durable and last for many years when properly maintained. These cost a little more up front, but save money over the long run. I recommend Sikkens stains if you like oil based, or Perma Chink if you prefer a water base, but there are other quality stains available as well.
2) Cleaning your log home is a must. Most stain manufacturers recommend washing your home at least once and preferably twice each year. This may sound daunting, but it really isn’t that difficult. Begin by applying log wash with a pump up sprayer. Use a soft bristle brush on an extension pole to gently scrub away dirt/dust build up and finally rinse away with a garden hose, or low power pressure washer. (If you know that you will never do this yourself, consider purchasing a maintenance contract with your local stain applicator.)
3) Inspect. While you are cleaning, take a good look and make note of any areas where the stain looks like it might need to be freshened up. If you wait until the stain starts cracking and peeling, it is too late. However, when you first start to notice areas appearing weathered, or dull, apply a light coat on that area. It may be necessary to apply a fresh coat to that entire side of the house to avoid looking splotchy.
4) Finally, if you find that you’ve already let things go too long and the stain has already begun failing, you’re not out of options. If it’s gotten to this point, you will have to remove the failing stain. For years, the only option was chemical strippers and high powered pressure washers. However, today there is a better option. Have a professional cob blasting company come out and remove the stain. Cob blasting safely removes failing stain and brings your log home back down to bare wood so you can have a fresh start. Then, go back to step number one. If steps one through three are followed, step four should not be necessary for many, many years.…

Regular Home Maintenance

August 13, 2021 Comments Off

Sometimes we get carried away in life with so much things to do and things to see. But there are some things that we must not overlook are things inside and outside of our homes. Our home is very important to us, it is where we live, meet others, sleep, eat, raise children and pass our time. That is why it is so important that this home of ours is kept in good shape. Throughout my experience and also talking to home inspectors I have came up with a list of items around our homes that need regular maintenance. These maintenance items can be checked either by the owners themselves or by hiring a home inspector. These inspections around our home can even save us from future problems and costs to repair the damages.
1) Clean the gutters in the spring & fall.
2) Check for damaged roofing and flashing materials twice a year.
3) Cut back trees and shrubs from the house walls, roof and air conditioning system as needed.
4) Clean the tracks on horizontal sliding windows annually, and ensure the drain holes are clear.
5) Test ground fault circuit interrupters, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors using the test button, monthly.
6) Service furnace or boiler yearly.
7) Check furnace filters, humidifiers and electronic air cleaners monthly.
8) Check the bathtub and shower caulking monthly and improve promptly as needed.
9) If you are in a climate where freezing occurs, shut off outdoor water faucets in the fall.
10) Check reversing mechanism on the garage door opener monthly.
11) Check attics for evidence of leaks and condensation and make sure vents are not obstructed, at least twice a year.…

Budgeting For Home Maintenance – Some Tips

April 23, 2021 Comments Off

Like taking care of yourself and staying in shape, taking care of a home is much the same in that it requires constant dedication and a long-term focus. In some areas across the country homes are subject to some of the hottest and most humid summers in the nation, whereas in other areas it is the cold and snow that tend to be bad. Other natural elements that act to degrade a home’s exterior are UV rays from the sun, rain, wind and natural erosion.
These types of problems can have the effect of undermining your home’s ultimate market value. Plus, spending relatively small amounts of time and money can keep small problems from turning into much larger ones at a later point. Plus, even when the cost of repairs is factored into the purchase price, buyers are less inclined to buy a home that represents a large repair or renovation project.
Here are some considerations:
A check of your home’s basic structural and functional components should be checked on an annual basis. Things like gutters, foundation, water heaters, air conditioners, roofing, etc. should be checked to the best of your ability to detect a problem. A certain portion of your income should be allocated for nothing but home maintenance. It has been estimated that as much as 3 percent of a home’s market value is spent annually on maintaining a home.
Don’t let future repairs take you by surprise. For example, in areas of the country where summers can get quite humid and you may find yourself using the air conditioner for extended periods of time. If you have a 15-year old furnace, for example, you should strongly consider saving a portion of your income for a replacement unit in the near future. As well, you should be aware of other things that are susceptible to breaking down, such as roofing, siding and so on. By having a good idea of when you will likely have to repair or replace certain things you will be less likely to be caught off guard by an unanticipated expense.
If you are not in a position to pay for maintenance:
Not being able to pay for needed repairs in a timely manner is bad enough. If you are in a situation where needed repairs have gone unaddressed for years, then this is a good indicator that your home is simply too expensive for your means. This will cause you problems when it comes time to sell your home as the build-up of maintenance issues will make your home less marketable.
If you should fall into such a predicament don’t just sweep it under the carpet. Take action. Taking an objective look at your finances can help you gain a clear perspective. Make the repairs you can afford to make and then consider moving into a less expensive home.
Some final thoughts:
Always consider the cost of maintenance when evaluating the cost of buying a home. It’s better to buy a slightly less expensive home and be able to afford the required maintenance than to buy a more expensive home and not be able to maintain it. The former will maintain its value over time and likely appreciate, where as the latter will likely depreciate.…

Three Important Steps to Easy Log Home Maintenance

January 20, 2021 Comments Off

There are three important log home maintenance steps that need to be completed to ensure that the home lasts a long time and maintains its beauty. While maintenance of any home is very important, maintenance for a log home is especially important to ensure that the structure of the home remains solid and without defect. These three steps can ensure that it lasts a lifetime and longer.
Inspect the Home at Least Once Each Year
One of the most important steps in log maintenance is to inspect the entire home from the foundations to the roof at least once a year. During this inspection, look for anything that indicates damage to the wood or the structure of the walls and ceiling. This can include looking for water damage, insect damage or the like. This maintenance step might need seem like it improves anything, but a visual inspection can ensure that any issues are discovered long before they affect the beauty of the log home or its structure. It is especially important to inspect the areas around the foundation as this is where water can settle and cause problems.
Refinish and Seal the Logs
A great maintenance taste that results in the home lasting as long as possible is the refinishing and sealing of the logs. Ideally this should be done as often as recommended by the manufacturer, refinishing and sealing a log home can be a time consuming task but it should be done at least once every couple of years. Refinishing the logs ensures that they are as beautiful as possible and removes and debris or dirt from the outside of the home. It also ensures that the original luster of the logs is restored. After refinishing, sealing the logs can help hold in their beauty and keep out water and other damaging things. A seal also can increase the beauty of the logs.
Repair Small Problems Before They Grow
The final log maintenance step that ensure the home will last a long time is to fix any small problems before they become large. With a log home this is especially important because wood can show only a small area of damage but have larger problems hidden further in the wood where it is hard to see. So, if there is a problem, addressing it quickly can ensure that larger problems are swiftly identified and corrected as well. When repairing a log home, hiring a professional is always a good idea because a professional has the experience to identify problems early and correct them properly.
There are three main steps to proper log home maintenance. First, always inspect the home at least once each year to identify any problems before they become major issues. Also, ensure that any small problems are addressed quickly and by a professional to make sure that they don’t become larger problems. The final step to maintaining a log home so that it lasts for a lifetime is to refinish and reseal the home as often as possible.…

Easy Exterior Home Maintenance Tips for All

December 17, 2020 Comments Off

Maintaining the exterior of your home in good condition gives you comfort and security while increasing the value of the property. How do you maintain the exterior of your house? How well do you do it? Use some simple advice on how to get and keep everything from the roof and gutter guard to the walls in perfect condition.
Inspect the roof and chimney regularly and make timely repairs. Experts recommend that you inspect the roof and chimney every year in the fall. In this way, you will have enough time to fix any damage and/or wear and tear before winter comes. Make the minor repairs yourself. Strengthen the flashing around penetrations and seal any gaps. For more serious problems and damages, you should call a professional to make the repairs.
Inspect, secure and clean the gutters annually or twice a year, if you have heavy rainfalls in your area. If there is any rust or damage on walls of the gutters, you should definitely have them replaced. All gutters should be perfectly secured in place. Make any necessary repairs to ensure this. Even if you are using a gutter guard system, clean the gutters to ensure there are not any debris inside. Remove the gutter protection, if possible and use a brush to clean the interior of the gutters. If the gutter guard panels cannot be removed, use a strong water flow to do the cleaning.
Install a gutter guard system, if you do not have one. Gutter protection did not use to be very effective in the past, but with the advancement of technology manufacturers have started making sophisticated gutter protection systems that have special angled ski slope designs and flat surface that allow for the debris to fall down on the ground naturally. In addition, the gutter guard surface is made from a thin mesh that does not allow for any debris to get inside the gutter.
Repair the exterior walls and the trim, if you notice any moisture, damage or discoloration when inspecting the house. Consider placing insulation materials to deal with moisture and small surface cracks. Call a professional for major repairs. Repaint the walls every five years or at a shorter period of time, if necessary. Reseal the area around wall penetrations, such as doors, windows and vents with silicon and repair window glazing, if required.
Now you know how to maintain your home exterior without much effort and keep your property in perfect condition.…

The Importance of Regular Home Maintenance

November 28, 2020 Comments Off

One of the key responsibilities of owning a home is keeping it well maintained. From regularly cleaning the property to ensuring that the structure is sound and that everything works as it should, maintenance can be somewhat time consuming, but offers pleasant rewards for those who take it seriously. Enjoying a greater peace of mind and feeling proud about a home are prominent benefits obtained through the practice of regular maintenance, and homeowners can also avoid potentially costly repairs for issues allowed to worsen over time when proper maintenance is observed. Though these advantages are certainly enough to warrant a serious effort in caring for one’s home, there is still another more important result: greater security. Home security often involves the use of specialized security systems and devices including alarms and cameras, but some of the most effective security measures are actually delivered by a homeowner that takes the time to keep their property well maintained. By understanding how crucial this element is to a safe dwelling, homeowners can prioritize their maintenance tasks and keep themselves, their loved ones, and their belongings safe.
A large part of the positive consequences of keeping a home maintained is the depth of knowledge it lends to the homeowner. Despite their regular use of a home, many people are not precisely aware of how their dwelling is constructed or of how various home elements have been installed. When a homeowner performs their own maintenance, it’s easy to gain a thorough understanding of the most important aspects of the property and to gain insight on various parts of the home. In particular, those who perform maintenance themselves are likely to notice irregularities and potential problems that may lead to making a home more vulnerable to damage or break-ins. From doors that have been improperly fitted or installed to windows that require different kinds of locks or paneling in order to deliver a reasonable level of security, there are many possible problems lurking in and around buildings that may go unnoticed if owners do not regularly practice maintenance. Problems with a property that occur over time can also be easily spotted by homeowners who perform their own maintenance. Those who contract the work out to professionals or allow others to take care of their maintenance needs may never realize that a certain home element has begun to show weaknesses, and thieves and other criminals may take advantage of this.
While security breaches are less likely in homes that are regularly and thoroughly maintained by owners, they can still sometimes occur. During such an event, it’s important to be able to rely on any security features a home may possess, and when a home is properly maintained, achieving this reliability is a simple feat. From specially-installed doors with advanced safety mechanisms to safety features surrounding special entrances for basements or sheds, there are many objects typically used to keep properties safe from intrusion that may fail unexpectedly if they aren’t cared for and deliberately inspected from time to time. When in-depth knowledge of a home is combined with the certainty that security measures are operating as intended, homeowners can better protect their property while also feeling far more secure.
A further important benefit of regular home maintenance is the appearance that such an activity is likely to yield. Well-maintained homes typically look neater, cleaner, and better able to withstand any difficulties that may come their way. While this certainly has benefits for homeowners in terms of providing a sense of comfort, it’s also a great way to warn potential criminals that a home is being watched and that owners have likely taken measures to prevent theft and damage. More traditional security tactics such as employing specialty equipment or purchasing home alarm monitoring service may be of greater help when crimes are actually carried out, but the prevention that quality maintenance can deliver may be responsible for fending off break-ins and trespassing in the first place. Fortifying this move with complementary actions such as keeping lawns and gardens neat, parking cars in front of the house, regularly disposing of garbage, and otherwise giving a home the obvious appearance of being occupied and well-used is a step in the right direction for anyone concerned about the security of their home.
The satisfaction of a job well done is often the handyman’s greatest reward, but when working on their own home, a maintainer has the power to create high-quality security measures that may both prevent crimes and help homeowners effectively respond if such events do take place. Whether maintenance is scheduled as a weekly or monthly activity or homeowners make a point of performing maintenance tasks whenever the mood seems right, taking the initiative and following through on necessary maintenance tasks is absolutely essential for responsible home ownership.…