Even small gaps or cracks can let water sneak in. That’s why you should keep an eye on the chinking or caulking between your logs. If it’s peeling, cracking, or pulling away, fix it sooner rather than later. Water will always find the easiest way in, and once it does, it brings problems along for the ride. Keeping those seams tight is one of the easiest ways to block out moisture before it causes bigger issues.
Snow might look pretty piled up outside your cabin, but it’s no friend to your logs. When it melts, it soaks everything near the ground. That’s why having a good foundation and tall enough base walls matters. You want your lowest logs sitting above splash zone. Add gravel, slope the soil, or build flower beds that help drain water away instead of trapping it. Even something simple like a raised porch can make a huge difference.
Sometimes, moisture shows up as mold before you even see the water. Black or green smudges on your walls? Strange musty smell that won’t go away? That’s your sign to dig deeper. Mold doesn’t just look bad—it means your wood’s holding water. Don’t just wipe it off and move on. Figure out where it’s coming from. Could be a leak, could be condensation, might even be a hidden plumbing issue. Track it, fix it, then clean the mold with something safe for logs.
Don’t underestimate the power of dehumidifiers, either. If your cabin’s in a humid area, or just tends to feel damp, a dehumidifier can make life a lot easier. Set it up in the basement or main room and let it run during the wet months. You’ll feel the difference fast. Less moisture in the air means fewer chances for problems to start in the first place.
