The first defense against this is sealing and chinking the home. The joints and bottom courses always are the places to check first. If a log is found to be decaying and we catch it early enough, we can fill the void with a two part mixture called M-Balm. This epoxy like two part putty mixture turns the rotted part of the log to a petrified state. M-Balm is used in a variety of situations to fill voids and also is used in tandem with E-Wood.
E-Wood is also a two part bondo like product, but designed for wood applications. If a decayed spot has damaged the facade or a void is to big for M-Balm alone then we clear all the rot we can and then mix M-Balm and coat the surface where the E-Wood is placed. This will keep any residual rot from spreading and the E-Wood will fill the voids and harden like a rock. This product can be shaped, molded or made to fit any design and when it dries has the durability of a rock. The only downside to this product is it’ll take stains different than other fillers. I find that rubbing a little energy seal over the repair that is the color you desire, will do the best you can when using a semi-transparent stain. A solid will cover the repair and you’ll never see it.
Another process we use when a log has decayed in a few inches is one called Re-facing. This involves removing all the rot to the depth of the rot and continuing to remove the wood to a point where the joints aren’t stacked. The purpose of the repair is to make it not look like a repair. After the decay is removed and a consistent edge is made a log is shaped and cut to go over where the decay was and is attached with log fasteners. This involves planning and shaping and sanding the new wood to match the existing. We go to great lengths to achieve this and have done this for many years and that experience shows, in the amount of detail we create in these custom made pieces. We are Log smiths and it shows!
The most dreaded is the total replacement of the log. We have many vendors to procure these different types of logs, but some you can’t get anymore so we create them from stock lumber. We use supports and beams to support areas when needed or we have to make our own foundations to support. Once again, this is where the experience and knowledge of log homes and their unique characteristics become invaluable. Through the years we’ve encountered almost every situation and have found cost effective methods to achieve quality replacements. We Know Log Homes has all you could ask for in a Log Home Restoration company.
We get it done and we do it right the first time. When we say WE KNOW LOG HOMES!!! WE KNOW LOG REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT AS WELL!!!
