Protecting the beauty of log homes

Log homes are popular in and around northeast Indiana, Goshen, Indiana and Columbia City, Indiana where homeowners with second homes – and sometimes first! – expect to enjoy their rustic beauty for years to come. At Matthews Painting, our professional painters  are industry certified and specially trained to restore and protect your log homes.  Above, is a log home we pressure wash stripped the finish from in preparation for staining and sealing.  Notice how the old finish and gray UV damage have been completely removed and restored back to tan, new looking logs which are now ready to receive stain.

First, Matthews Painting offers a free annual inspection service. If your property is within the region we serve – Kosciusko County and parts of four others – we’re happy to take a look and identify any problems you may have with moisture, insects or even a clear need for power washing and routine maintenance.

Pre-treatment is one maintenance step to consider, because it will extend the life of the logs used in building your home or, in some cases, retail store or office. The logs dry out over time when exposed to the natural processes of weather and environment. By sealing them carefully, the longevity of the logs is protected. It’s an investment that makes sense, as does the prevention of termite and beetle damage.

These insects – and a few others – are a common problem for log home owners, and it’s not always obvious to the untrained eye that they’re present. Insect damage over time can become quite extensive and expensive. Some insects, like carpenter bees, are easier to spot before the holes they drill into wood leads to rot, mold and mildew. Termite damage tends to begin at the log ends, so you may see it there.

But there are times when beetles and wood borers infect logs before they are cut and used in construction; still other insects, like the powder post beetle, are more difficult to identify but can become a serious problem because they continue to feed on seasoned wood. Our professionals can apply insecticide and fungicide treatments too.

The latter is key to keeping your log home healthy. If present, mold and mildew need to be removed as soon as they’re discovered since they lead to rotting wood – and this is one area where investing in maintenance will save money and inconvenience down the road. Any moisture that is wind-driven into unexposed cracks, or seeps into the logs from long-term exposure from something as simple as failed caulking can begin a destructive cycle.

Finding those failures is one of the reasons why an annual inspection is so important, and staining and sealing are a must for protecting the wood. Yet one thing homeowners tend to overlook is the value of a good cleaning to remove the threat of mold and mildew before they establish a permanent presence.

Here’s a tip from the Matthews Painting team: Don’t think of log home maintenance as being an outside job. Owners, often rightly, tend to focus on their exteriors and weather-related risks, or the role of nearby trees and shade that cause issues. The interior of a log home needs just as much attention to keep it protected across its lifetime, and requires thorough cleaning and inspection too.

While water is always a top priority when it comes to threats, don’t forget sun damage. Over time, the wood may need restoration that includes sanding, sealing and staining. In between cleanings and any more significant maintenance, there are simple lifestyle decisions owners can make to extend the log interior life.

Among them? Set interior temperature and humidity so that the wood doesn’t have to deal with extremes. Keep the dust down with air filters and routine vacuum cleaning. If there is smoke in your home, see how that’s ventilating – and do the same thing with kitchen and the inevitable grease.

At Matthews, we love the beauty of the wood and its care. Feel free to contact us with your questions, or to schedule that much-needed log home inspection!

Matthews Painting is also expanding our interior and exterior wall, ceiling, trim, door, window and kitchen cabinet painting and staining, wallpaper removal, drywall repair, deck staining and sealing and log Home staining and sealing into the Goshen, Indiana and Columbia City Indiana areas.