Log Rot

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bayern-Landhaus on December 7, 2008 at 4:03pm

Hi Suki!

Ouch! Did you have this home inspected before your purchase?

Log repair can be an expensive fix brought on by neglect or faulty building methods. When repairing the damage you must consider the factors that caused the problems in the first place and remedy them. Do not hide the problems as they will only get worse with time. The truth is hard to swallow when you are facing major rot repairs on your log home.

Here are a few sources for information and assistance.

http://www.rotdoctor.com/L/LogL/Lqa.html
http://www.loghomerepairsupplies.com/logrot.html
http://www.woodspecialist.com/log_repair.htm

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 7, 2008 at 4:51pm

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, I did have the home inspected. The seller accepted the ridiculously low bid I put in on the home, so I decided to take it and think about the repair later. That time has come!

Thanks for the links - they seem to be very informative and I will be studying them tonight!

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on December 7, 2008 at 5:45pm

Hi Suki,

Ouch is right!

First of all it looks like there is not stain to help protect the logs. And you can clearly see mildew on the logs. I would sugguest looking for a restoration company in your area. Ask for references by all means.

What they will do is first probe the log to see how extensive the rot is. If it is all the way through the logs they will have to do a full log replacement. If it isn't all the way through they will do what they call a half face replacement log. They will probably put in a borate for instance Penetreat which will help stop decaying, log rot, and insects. And again don't hide the problem it will get worse.

I hoped this helped!

Kelly

Call some log home manufacture's in your area and ask if they have log home restoration people in the area that could come look at this. Some log home restorator's will charge to come and look at this. Ask if they charge for this service so you don't get any surprises

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 7, 2008 at 9:35pm

Hi Kelly -

Very helpful advice - thank you!

I will look into finding log home manufacturer's in my area to come and take a look, if possible.
You're right about the lack of stain as well. Amazingly, other than this area, it seems as if the remainder of the home is in pretty good condition.

Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Molenaar on December 10, 2008 at 7:27am

Suki,

Check with Satterwhite Loghomes I believe in Longview, Texas they have been around a long time they may be able to help. They also have a web site.

Glenn

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 11, 2008 at 9:00pm

Thank you, I put a call in today!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Jenkins on December 7, 2008 at 9:06pm

Suki:

Looks like the main issue is that the monolithic slab extends beyond the logs allowing water/moisture to pool against and under the logs. The vegetation did not help this problem at all. A rock facing will certainly help a lot with the looks as long as it is sealed VERY tightly to not allow any moisture to continue to pool in there. Make certain you treat these logs prior to placing any covering over them. A solutuion of Tim-Bor would work wonders. Also, make sure that this is not Brown Rot as it will continue to spread into the logs. Again, Tim-Bor will take care of this.
Since this home is on a slab, make sure you keep all of the slab edges exposed and free of debris. Termites are costantly foraging and will find a way into the logs in any sheltered area. Those look like yellow pine logs that are due for a treatment and staining. Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 7, 2008 at 9:38pm

You're right about the slab extending beyond the logs. I never thought about that being one of the causes of "pooling", but it makes perfect sense.

Thanks for the awesome advice and the suggestion regarding the Tim-Bor. I've never heard of it - I'm such a log home newbie!

Much appreciated!

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Permalink Reply by ChinkerBob on December 10, 2008 at 2:40am

It looks like water has been getting on the logs on a regular basis, either from sprinkling (watering the plants) or perhaps from splashing down off of the roof for some reason. An inadequate overhang and heavy runoff can cause problems in these situations. But I suspect someone watered the plants a bit too vigorously and let the logs get wet too. A big no-no.

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but you may well have invited wood eating ants that love wet logs, like we have in the northwest. The logs would have rotted anyway if you have that problem, the ants would have just sped up the whole process. As far as I know, termites prefer dry wood.

You clearly have to completely replace the bottom two courses of logs, and I suspect it might be wise to replace the third course. The bottom log is completely gone, and the left log in the second course is gone as well. I suspect water was able to get in between the logs and speed up the rotting process. And that's moss growing on the logs, not mildew. That's even worse.

It might be best to consider removing this section of log wall and replacing it with something else, like a rock wall. Especially if it is roof design that is allowing so much water to splash on the logs.

If you do consider a rock wall, you would have to remove all of the bad logs (and perhaps a couple of the good ones, up to the bottom of the window sill) and build a standard stick-framed wall or better yet, a concrete wall, under the window. As you observed, you won't be able to just cover up all of these bad logs. You're loosing support and if it continues, you will probably start having the wall start to collapse, which is not a good thing.

We would have to see a picture showing more of this wall to know what your other options are. If you do post something, show us the roof as well. That might help in troubleshooting your problem.

If you do replace the logs, be sure that someone caulks between them and that the butt joints (where two logs ends meet) are also caulked. Find the source of water and make sure it is stopped. And of course keep the logs stained.

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 11, 2008 at 8:45pm

Hi ChinkerBob~

You're correct in guessing that water has been getting on the logs from overhead roof water-splashing. There has never been any gutters so the water basically runs directly off the roof, to what used to be rotting leaves and dirt, splashed back onto the wood, and the rest, unfortunately is obvious.

Here is a picture that might illustrate the problem with the roof/water runoff - I swear I haven't been too vigorously watering the plants!!

Thank you for your reply!

PS - I live in East Texas - very Piney and Marshy.

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Permalink Reply by Suki on December 11, 2008 at 8:51pm

Hi RP -

I like this idea because it definitely seems like something I could do myself. Actually, it's what I originally had in mind but I didn't know the names of the treatment products needed.

There are no gutters and I know that is a problem. (see above pic)The interior logs are okay - so far.

I was hoping I could treat the outer logs, fill with silicone, and resurface, so I'm very happy you suggested this as well!

Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Taron on December 10, 2008 at 3:03pm

Suki,
I like what ChinkerBob suggested. My first thought, if it were mine, would be to take all the rot out up to the the good wood below the window and replace with masonry block and a stone veneer. Forget the log siding, it will never look the same as the upper logs. With a nice cap stone just under the first log, it will look fantanstic and never rot again.

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