As the temperature drops, problems arise especially for those who live in log houses. Before the snow flies, be sure to inspect the condition of your logs. Pay attention to areas of your home that are subject to heavy snow drift or accumulation.
Follow the tips below to keep your log homes cozy and energy efficient during the winter.
* Know your maintenance duties before winter begins
Inspect the cracked joints on your log homes. Pay special attention to seals in corners and in vulnerable places near the ground, where rain or snow from previous winters may have eroded or loosened the sealant. If the sealant is damaged, remove it and replace it.
Sometimes all you need is to touch up gaps. In other cases, you may need to remove the sealant and replace it. Never add new caulking on top of old, loose materials because this will only bind to the old one allowing air and water to enter your log wall.
Spray log walls with a garden hose to determine if the wood preservative has been affected. If the water drips and runs off, they are fine. If the wood darkens and remains damp, or if you find gray or black stains on the logs, it’s time to reapply a preservative.
Thoroughly clean your gutters and make sure the downspouts are clear to carry water away from your home. Place splash blocks so water does not reach logs. Prune the bushes and do not forget to rake the leaves: they absorb moisture like a sponge and create favorable conditions for wood rot.
Call a professional to thoroughly check your heating system. Make sure furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are in good working order, and don’t forget to change filters. Check fireplace chimneys if there are birds or chipmunks nesting there. Install a damper in the chimney.
Examine the window glass seals and check if they are carefully intact. See if the area between the double pane windows is clear and not cloudy.
* Prevent bugs from hollowing out your log houses
Don’t just sit there and wait for the bugs. Do you remember the medical saying that it is always important to be safe than sorry? This is also true for our case during the winter season. So, get up and look for any openings in your roof that might allow bugs in. Be sure to cover the soft ball-sized openings with heavy-gauge wire mesh. Don’t use clear window screens because these not-so-friendly critters can easily chew through them. Remember to check crawl spaces that may provide entry to chipmunks, mice, squirrels, and the like. After all, they are winter tenants who pay no rent at all.
* Prevents the formation of ice accumulations on your roof
When the moist air inside your log homes settles under your roof, the snow on top will melt; therefore, ice dams are formed. Said melt water runs down the roof until it hits the unheated overhang roof and freezes. The ice tends to build up and form a dam on that part of your roof and it will form a fabulous ice sculpture. However, your problem will start here because this icing can destroy your gutters and create leaks in your roofs.
But don’t panic. You can still do something about it. If your log home has an attic, always inspect it regularly to make sure the insulation layer is intact. In case you are in the planning stage of having a log house, you still have a chance to avoid this worst case scenario. Get involved in the construction part of the construction of your houses. Make sure workers install insulation and vapor barriers to prevent ice dams.
* Make sure window glass seals are intact
Create a seal that stops air and water as close to the surface as possible. Prevents water from getting behind the trim. If you prefer the caulking seal to be visible around the window and door trim, remove the trim and caulk behind it before replacing it. But remember that exposed cavities between logs and moldings provide a habitat for insects during hot weather. So make sure your window glass seals are intact. If there is cloudiness between the double pane windows, that means the seal has been broken. Call a window fabricator or window company to replace glass units.
* Check your wood burning place
During the winter, everyone loves to sit in front of the roaring fire in the fireplace. If you don’t want to spoil your best time to warm up your body, get ready for winter. Install glass doors to prevent hot air from escaping.
Consider installing dampers on chimneys. When the fireplace is not in use, cool air sits in the chimney and flows through the damper into your home. A top damper sits on top of the chimney and prevents water and air from entering.
These are just some of the tips that we can consult when the winter season arrives. This will definitely ensure the safety and comfort of log house owners.