Check your caulking and chinking regularly, too. These materials move and stretch as the house settles or the seasons change. If you spot gaps or cracks, patch them up. It’s one of those small jobs that can save you from big headaches later, like drafts, leaks, or even rodent visits.
One trick that’s easy to overlook is ventilation. Good airflow, both inside and out, can do wonders for a log home. Make sure your attic is vented, your crawl space isn’t trapping humidity, and your HVAC system is doing its job. The drier you keep the air, the less chance for mildew and rot to take hold. Even just using ceiling fans or cracking a window on dry days can help.
The type of logs you have makes a difference, too. Some woods naturally resist bugs and decay better than others. Cedar and cypress, for example, tend to hold up really well. If you’re building new or replacing sections, it’s worth considering wood that will last longer with less effort. It might cost a bit more upfront, but it’ll pay off when you’re not out there restaining every couple of years.
And finally, don’t wait for something to go wrong before you act. Keeping an eye out for early signs—peeling finish, a little soft spot in the wood, extra condensation on the windows—can make all the difference. Set a reminder to walk around your home every season. Take notes, snap photos, keep a checklist if that’s your thing. You don’t have to fix everything at once. Just catching stuff early means the fixes are smaller, cheaper, and way less stressful.
