Log
Home Refinishing, Staining, Refinishers
 Living
in a log home
In this day and age, there are still people who
prefer to build and live in log homes in the United
States. One reason may be that log homes seem
to be cozy, comfortable, and quaint forms of lodging
that many people are attracted to. However, like
all homes built of wood, log homes require proper
maintenance or else their log siding will eventually
rot due to exposure to the elements (particularly
rain and water splatter.)
Log home wood rot
To know if your log home has been affected by
wood rot, use a small hammer to firmly tap on
the log you suspect has been hit by wood rot.
If the sound that you hear is that of a dull thump,
then you have a rotten log in your wall. However,
if the log is still sound and stable, the sound
that will be produced will be like a clear ring
instead. In that case, you should take steps to
guarantee that sound logs in your walls will not
be hit by wood rot in the future. This can be
done through proper log home refinishing and restoration.
Replacing rotten logs
One of the options you may have in log home
refinishing and restoration is to replace any
rotten logs immediately upon detection. Though
theoretically any rotten log can be removed and
eventually replaced with sound wooden logs, the
location of the rotten log will determine how
difficult extraction and replacement will be.
Another common problem that is encountered with
log homes is when rotting hits that part of the
roof where it meets the upper half of the log
wall. To remedy this, the rotten part has to be
completely removed, replaced with sound wood,
and then flashed right way. This area of your
log home structure is vulnerable to roof leaks,
splashing due to snow or rain, and even piling
up of ice, so upon construction of your log home
you ought to treat the wood so that it will be
protected from such weathering. This means doing
very thorough wood flashing as part of the construction
phase of your log home.
Determine if your log home needs refinished
 Now,
let's say you would like to have refinishing done
on your log home. You should first determine if
this is actually necessary by sprinkling water
in different parts of your logs. A log that does
not require finish will show beads of water on
its surface. When those water beads are absent,
you should apply finish to your log home structure.
If the logs also display signs of flaking and
peeling, then you should really apply a proper
coat of finish to your log surfaces.
Gaps and chinking
For gaps seen between individual logs, you may
opt to rely on synthetic chinking or siliconized
latex caulk to fill them in. Many log homes have
a chimney made of hard materials like rock integrated
into the walls and roof of the log home. Leaks
may be experienced at the base of the chimney
where the roof line and the flashing meet. You
could also find that the rock or masonry of your
chimney may not have been sealed properly, or
have cracked, so that moisture is allowed to enter.
If a chimney cap is also not set into place properly,
that could also ressult in entry of water because
the function of the chimney cap is to prevent
water from entering the chimney.
Protecting Your Log Home
You should inspect your log home for
damage before you refinish the wood on your log
home siding. If you see damage spots on your wood
or mold and mildew, you should properly clean
your wood before you refinish your investment.
Finishing your home highlights your wood grain
and its texture. It also seals in any dirt and
debris that you haven’t repaired prior to
refinishing.
Old Finishes
You might decide to refinish your home
overtop a previous finishing, or you can remove
the old finish. A strong power washing and cleaning
may remove your old finish and log home sealer
completely. You can try this method and see how
powerful of a cleaner you’ll need. If you
decide to refinish your home on top of your previous
finish, you should test your old finish for adhesiveness
first. Take a piece of masking tape on your old
finish and peel it away. If you don’t remove
much finish on the tape, then you should be good
to go with your new finish. If you remove a lot
of finish on your tape, you’ll want to completely
remove the old finish before you refinish your
home.
Refinishing Log Homes
Part of the job of a log home refinish for your
wood is to protect it from the sun’s UV
rays. If you use a clear finish to bring out the
natural grain and texture of your wood, you want
to make sure that your clear log home stain will
adequately protect your home.
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Things you’ll need for log home
refinishing
• Ladders
• Planks and or wallboards
• Tape machine
• Paper tape, and masking tape
• Tarps
• Airless paint sprayer
• Caulk, wood filler, caulk gun
• Stain
Quick Guide
How to Stain and or Refinish a Log Home,
Cabin or House
 Choose
your stain. Try to use the same stain as the existing
coat. Choosing the correct stain be a tricky and
complicated process. When applying the stain for
your log home semi-transparent stain is recommended
as it will last longer and look good for many
years to come with the proper maintenance. Be
sure to power wash or have a professional pressure
washing company clean your log home once per year
to maintain it’s beauty after the refinishing
process.
• Power wash and prepare the surface. Make
sure the entire area is free of debris, dirt,
mold, mildew, contamination, flaking stain, etc.
• Mask off windows, doors, lights, roofs,
gutters etc
• Spray the stain on. Use an airless paint
sprayer to apply the stain evenly. Apply a thick
and heavy coat when spraying. Most stains are
like water so it can be pretty messy; place a
rag around the shuck of your brush to prevent
stain from dripping continuously and going down
your arm.
• Back brush the applied stain immediately.
Usually for this process it’s best for two
people to work together. One person may spray
the stain on while another person back brushes
the stain into the surface forcing the material
to soak into the wood and allow an even finish.
• Allow the siding to dry for 24 to 48
hours depending on the weather, and manufacture
specifications. A second coat of spray may be
needed depending on the type of stain used. Allow
each coat to fully dry before applying another.
How to Refinish a Log Home
• Properly clean your logs and check the
old stain before you refinish your home
• Select the stain that you want to fit
your home’s style and woods
• Apply the stain with a gentle power-staining
device or with soft-bristled brushes
• Apply log home stains evenly across your
home. Keep in mind that the South and West sides
of a home typically require the most maintenance
due to weathering and should be inspected regularly
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