Log Home Maintenance – Cleaning logs, removing dirt is a good thing | Edmunds and Company (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cleaning solution for log home? ›

OxiClean® can be purchased in many stores including your grocery store. Another cleaning solution we recommend is TSP mixed with water. Again, this in non-film forming soap and can be purchased at your local hardware or paint store.

For an average-size log home, labor costs for finishing would typically be about $4,500. In addition, about 20 gallons of stain would be needed to apply two coats to the home. For an ordinary stain, let's say the cost per gallon is $30, totaling $600 for the entire job.

Log homes require more maintenance than other types of houses - though not as much as many people would imagine. The most important thing to keep in mind is that logs deteriorate over time without care and maintenance. Therefore, you will have to clean, re-stain and re-caulk your log home from time to time.

It's too easy to damage the wood surface or accidentally drive water deep between the logs. Scrubbing with a soft brush and water from a garden hose cleans better than a pressure washer and is much safer for the wood. Even with regular washing, over time weathering and mold growth can set in on your logs.

Here the objective is to clean off any surface grime and residue and prepare the wood to receive protection from the finish you will apply later. Many people use a bleach solution to clean their wood but we do not recommend using bleach.

Stain will come in right around $1600. Now the national average to apply log home stain in the nation currently sits around $1.30 a sq ft, so with labor costs you are coming in around $3,900. A top coat with application we do for $500. Leaving you with a grand total of $6000.

We recommend re-staining your log home every 5 to 7 years — however, we've seen homeowners reach the 10 year mark when consistently doing the proper annual maintenance. We recommend using the Sashco Transformation Log and Timber stain.

Be prepared — it's not uncommon to spend $15,000 to $25,000 to strip and re-stain a log home, depending on its size and region of the country.

The problem is that most of the time, they are constructed with pine logs that are designed or allowed to stick out beyond the roofline where they are exposed to the rain, snow and ice. They take on so much moisture that they become susceptible to rot. When these logs begin to rot, it often happens very fast.

How many years do log homes last? ›

The average log cabin life expectancy is on par with traditional homes' – but many last even longer with proper care and maintenance. Talk about a worthwhile investment! On average, a log cabin's lifespan is anywhere from 20 to 100 years – or more!

Timber logs naturally hold heat, which can be an advantage to log cabin owners because they stand to spend less on heating and cooling their dwelling spaces. However, under very cold conditions, it is necessary to undertake a few additional strategies to keep your log home even more comfortable.

So, in the grand debate of log homes and their saleability, EverLog Systems provides a compelling answer, showcasing that with the right materials and vision, log homes can be both a dream to live in and a breeze to sell.

Log Maintenance

In terms of upkeep, log homes fall on the higher end of the spectrum. One of the defining features of a log home is its exterior log walls. These walls are responsible for safeguarding the home's structural integrity.

Borate Wood Treatments

Borate powder is mined from the earth, and can be applied by either mixing with water to apply to large areas or dusted into cracks and crevices. Logs treated with borate are resistant to termites carpenter ants, beetles, and are considered fungi-resistant.

Use a mixture of water and wood-friendly detergent to wash your home. Avoid power-washing the logs since that can cause damage to the wood. Stain your log cabin about every 3-4 years. Apply a good quality stain to protect your exterior from UV rays.