Log Options, LLC

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What is a Pre-Purchase Inspection? A Pre-Purchase Inspection is a log inspection used to help potential log home buyers, real estate agents and home inspectors determine the condition of logs prior to purchase.

What should I look for when buying a Pre-Owned Log Home? We realize it is not possible to have a log home professional view every log home you may be considering. To help narrow down your choices Tom Tydeman, owner of Log Options, wrote an article on Purchasing an Existing Log Home. Also is a Pre-Purchase Checklist for you to print out and take with you when visiting your potential log homes.

What is a Log Home Maintenance Inspection? A Log Maintenance Inspection is a comprehensive inspection of the logs and log finish providing education and information as well as detailed recommendations to properly maintain and preserve your log home. For details please visit our Log Inspection Page.

Can I receive an accurate estimate having my log home repaired or restored from a Log Home Professional? Yes, we are happy to collect the necessary data and forward to a quality, reputable contractor who specializes in log home restoration. We can help supply estimates on all log home services including: media blasting, power washing, log repair, staining, additions, inspections and more. Please visit our Maintenance and Restoration Services Page.

There are several areas that are blackened or green, what is this and why is this happening? These are areas that have been exposed to excessive moisture. The reason may be due to a lack of gutters or broken gutters, backsplash from a roof, ground or plants too close to the home. You may find the article What happened to my logs? helpful in answering this question.

Does blackened or green logs mean they are rotted? Not necessarily, but the logs may eventually decay in these areas if the logs are not properly cleaned and protected.

What type of Eco-Options do I have when building or restoring a log home? There are many eco friendly and energy efficient ideas you can implement in the design of your log home or during your restoration project. We should always consider the environment in the way we live every day. Please visit our Eco-Options link for interesting ideas that can benefit you, your family and the environment in many ways!

I received several estimates on having my log home restored and I don't know which company to choose. Because there are different methods for removing the existing finish and a variety of log home stain manufacturers, many home owners find it difficult and confusing. We hope you find the link to our page Choosing a Log Home Contractor helpful when making your decision.

What should I do before staining? Log preparation is a large factor in the performance of the stain. The logs need to be cleaned and stripped of any finish. Once the logs are cleaned, logs should be sprayed with a "borate". Borate will prevent mildew and repels many wood boring insects. Once the wood is completely dry, you are ready to stain.

What is the best to way remove my existing finish? There are several methods of stain removal. Power washing, chemical stripping, hand sanding, as well as sand, corn-cob, glass bead media and walnut shell blasting can all be effective ways to remove the existing finish.

What is Corn-cob blasting? It is a process similar to sand blasting except ground up corn cob is used instead of sand. Corn cob is less abrasive, non toxic, and biodegradable. For details on the process please read Corn Cob Blasting Log Homes.

Is Corn Cob Blasting the only type of media blasting available? No, although Corn cob media is very popular in the log home industry for removing the existing finish there are other types of media being used and are very effective as well. The more common media other than corn cob are Walnut Shells and Glass Beads.

Can paint or darkened stain be removed from the exterior of my wood sided home? Yes... the same process that is used on logs is very effective on wood sided homes as well. The existing finish can be removed and you can stain the home a color of your choice. View before and after photos of a wood sided home that was corn cob blasted.

There is excessive checking in my logs, should I fill them? Generally, if it is an upward facing check 1/4" or greater then it should be caulked. Checks occur naturally as the logs lose their moisture.

Should I caulk gaps between log courses? This common question is answered in an article Caulking Log Homes, written by Tom Tydeman of Log Options, LLC.

I have carpenter bee holes in my soffit, what can I do? You can purchase carpenter bee dust kits or carpenter bee chambers from most log home supply stores. The holes should be dusted and then caulked. For more details regarding carpenter bees and ways to help control their activity, please read Carpenter Bees and Log Homes .

What are the small pin holes in my logs? This could be the result of powder post beetles and you should call an exterminator to determine if there is current activity.

Why is sap coming from my log ends? Sap bleeding out of logs usually takes place during the first years of seasoning and can continue for years. Wood finishes do not prevent or control sap bleed. The sap can be scrapped off with a putty knife and log end re-stained.

I found some green algae under the stain on my log railing, what should I do? If the algae is just in one area, sand off the finish and scrub with percarbonate bleach and TSP, let dry and re-stain.

We purchased a log home and the exterior logs are bleached looking and weathered, what are options for restoring the logs? The existing finish should be removed and the logs cleaned, borated and stained.

Why is it important to replace missing caulking between my logs? Failed caulking can be worse than no caulking because moisture can not evaporate behind the failed caulk.

How do you I remove green algae from my log posts? If the algae is on the surface a weak bleach solution (1 part bleach, 3 parts water) should remove it. You can test a small area with a cotton swab. If it is under the stain, then it may be necessary to remove the stain first.

Stain was applied over sap bleed, can this be a problem and if so how do I remove the sap bleed from under the stain? Yes, the sap bleed should be removed by sanding or scraping. Once the bare wood is exposed you can re stain the area.

There is an approximate 1-2 inch hole in a log end of my log home. Is it necessary to fill the hole and if so what do I fill it with? One option is to seal with an epoxy sealer then fill the hole with an epoxy filler, Impel rods can be installed to prevent further rot.

The deck support posts are in the ground, why is this a problem? Water from the ground wicks up the post end that can lead to rot. A sagging porch roof is sometimes evidence of this. An article was written regarding maintaining decks and porches with more details and information.

Why was I told to stack my wood pile away from my log home? Termites and other insects are attracted to wood piles.

The caulking on my home is missing in many areas. Do I have to remove all the existing caulking and caulk the entire home or can I just add caulking where needed? It may be possible to caulk over the existing caulk but generally the old caulk should be removed.

From inside my home I can see light from outside. Why is this happening? Many times the butt ends of logs will separate slightly. These areas should be caulked.

I had my log home exterminated because of carpenter bees but now I am left with many holes in my logs. What do I use to fill the holes? There are many different methods. One effective way is to fill the hole with aluminum foil and caulk.

There are large checks (cracks) in my logs. Is it necessary to fill them and if so, how can I fill them myself? Large upward facing checks should be filled. First a backer rod should be installed and then caulked with a quality log home caulk.

Log decay caused from backsplash off a deck is very common. I have a deck and can not avoid the backsplash, so how can I protect the logs above the deck? Any log decay should be removed. Properly flashed decking and more frequent attention to cleaning; along with reapplying a top coat will help to prevent log decay. Impel rods in these areas would help prevent decay. An article regarding maintaining decks and porches may help offer some ideas to prevent this situation.

The log home I just purchased has painted logs. The exterior is dark but in good condition. Will the paint hurt the logs? Paint does not allow moisture to be released which may lead to decay.

We moved into a log home where the logs were never treated so they blackened and turned grey. What should I do before applying a stain? The existing finish should be removed and the logs cleaned, borated and stained.

There are some interior water stains on the logs walls of my home. How do you recommend removing the stains? Sanding will help remove water stains.

I have some obvious log decay. How can you tell if I need to have the entire log replaced or if I can get ½ log replacement? If 50% or more of the log width has decay, then full log replacement is recommended.