what to look for when buying a log cabin
Y'all want to buy a log home, but, you don't really know what yous are looking for and how to check if the cabin is in expert condition.
Whether you lot're planning on ownership a log cabin in Alaska or buying a log cabin to rent; at that place are lots of things to consider when buying a used log cabin.
Unfortunately, you lot will probably discover that most domicile inspectors don't know much well-nigh log homes, so how can you lot make sure that you buy the right log dwelling house?
Even if you are able to find a local inspector who specializes in log homes, it volition go very expensive for you to have every single log home yous view, inspected.
In all my experience of the hundreds of log cabins I have seen or offered advice on, I am yet to see 1 which is past repair. Perhaps a more appropriate question is non whether a cabin tin be repaired, just the cost of the repair.
Nosotros would propose that you follow the checklist beneath, before reading the article for more detail. In one case you understand the key areas of a log cabin to inspect, and narrow your search downwards to one or two log homes, then y'all tin consider paying for an inspection.
| Checklist # | Category | Inspection Expanse |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exterior Inspection | Staining |
| two | Exterior Inspection | Logs in contact with the ground |
| 3 | Exterior Inspection | Rot |
| four | Exterior Inspection | Overhangs/Exposed Logs |
| 5 | Outside Inspection | Gutters |
| half-dozen | Exterior Inspection | Insect Infestation |
| vii | Exterior Inspection | Caulking |
| 8 | Outside Inspection | Checking |
| 9 | Exterior Inspection | Decks & Porches |
| 10 | Interior Inspection | Calorie-free & Air Infiltration |
| 11 | Interior Inspection | Insect Infestation |
| 12 | Interior Inspection | Caulking |
| thirteen | Interior Inspection | Fundamental Questions |
Exterior Inspection
You tin can expect a log cabin to mayhap wait a piffling dirty and fifty-fifty expect to encounter some flaking on the finish, only when does this become a concern?
Permit'south take a wait at all ix of the outside elements you should audit at before buying a log abode:
Condition of Log Cabin Staining
Water is the number ane enemy of log homes. Not that it'south a problem for logs to become wet – that's fine, they dry out.
The event is when they don't dry and then start to rot, this is why most log homes are stained or have some weatherproofing.
It's quite like shooting fish in a barrel to tell how proficient the staining is, ordinarily simply by centre.
- What does the staining await like? Tin you see exposed woods anywhere (i.eastward. wood without stain)? Is the staining patchy?
- Pay attention to the southward and west walls of the motel – are they faded? Are the logs a different colour on the top than they are at the bottom?
Don't be afraid to enquire when the dwelling was final stained, if it was over 15 years ago, it could be a very expensive task to corn nail the abode and and then re-stain.
If the stain is even merely just really worn down, this won't cost much to set up. Bank check out our maintenance guide for details on how to stain information technology and costs.
Top-tip
A unproblematic way to test how effective the staining is is to splash h2o on the logs. The water should bead up – this shows the finish is still constructive.
If the h2o is absorbed – the stain is no long constructive.
This does not mean that you should avoid the cabin, you should just factor the cost of re-staining into your offer.
Logs Touching the Ground
Be very cautious if yous see that the base of the log habitation is in contact with the footing.
When I talk nigh the ground – I mean dirt and mud.
Logs that lay on the ground will soak upwards the moisture which volition cause the logs to rot.
The Cabin should be raised off the ground using a correct foundation (every bit seen in the picture above).
Not only practice logs on the ground wick up wet, they will also make a nice home for insects, giving them easy admission into the cabin.
Height-tip
Brand certain there is at to the lowest degree a six inch gap between the basis and the logs.
If any logs are in contact with the ground, find out if they are pressure treated. Logs that are pressure treated have a better chance of resisting everything that wants to swallow it (insects, bacteria, fungi etc…).
If the logs in contact with the ground have not been pressure treated – this is a deal billow, stay clear!
Rotten Logs
If you have found logs in contact with the ground, or inadequate staining, it is very of import to consider this stride thoroughly.
To start with, in a more obvious example, you will run across black marks on the exterior of the log.
This is not a expert sign.
Information technology's likely that the log will have rotted from the inside out and therefore won't have much life left in it. STAY Away!
Sometimes, logs may await completely fine from the outside, merely take subconscious rot on the within. Simply how do you lot tell?
Top-tip
- Take a hammer with you lot and inquire for permission to tap on the logs. Yous'll be able to hear a difference betwixt a log that is rotting and i that is not.
- A log that is rotting will produce a hollow sound compared to a solid log. Also, some logs with interior rot normally bounciness the hammer dorsum, whereas a solid log will finish the hammer.
- If you doubtable that logs are rotting, the only solution is to replace them which can be very costly.
Overhangs/Exposed Logs
It's important for a log home to have an overhanging roof to keep the rain and other elements abroad from the logs and the foundation.
How Much?
Ideally, at that place should be a minimum 24 inch overhang for a one story cabin, and 36 inches for a two cabin story house.
Having a shallow overhang is not not bad because as the water runs off, it will hit the basis and splash back on the lower logs of the cabin.
Gutters
While gutters don't really add much to the aesthetic dazzler of a log domicile, they are an important part of preventing water from contacting your logs.
You should make sure that the gutters are in practiced status and are clear from debris.
Check that the downspouts drain the h2o away from the firm and the foundations.
To test them, take a jug full of water and pour this into the gutter. Make sure the water drains properly.
Insect Infestation
What are the signs of insect infestation, aside from the obvious insects themselves?
Tell-tale signs include bore holes (each insect makes a different size and shape) and chalky, pulverisation like residual.
A single, one-off, hole is expected, it'due south when you run across a close grouping of holes that there is a problem.
Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, pulverisation post beetles and termites are only a few of the insects that are common insects to infest log homes.
Carpenter ants and bees both shed their wings before entering the holes so you may too find wings.
Most insects invade log homes considering they like the moisture, therefore the most effective fashion to reduce insect infestations is to get rid of rotten logs and replace them.
Caulking and Checking
Caulking (chinking) is the sealant between the logs. In particular, you should bank check the condition of the caulk and that is it all intact.
If there are: chunks missing; gaps or tears; or if the caulking is messy, this shows the cabin hasn't been maintained very well.
This textile is piece of cake to remove and replace, and so poor application is not an indicator that you shouldn't purchase a log habitation, rather, an indicator of poor maintenance.
Recollect, older cement-based materials requires far more maintenance than today's supple elastomeric materials that moves with your cabin as it settles – You can read more about log cabin chinking and cabin maintenance
Checking
Checks are splits or cracks in the motel'due south logs. Checking is a normal part of logs drying out.
The only time it becomes a concern, is if the cracks are over 1/iv" in size, or if they lie on the upper side of a log, making it easy for water to infiltrate them.
Cracks and checks can be filled with caulk very quickly. However, yous should first bank check that water damage has not already been done.
Settling & Shrinking
All log homes are likely to settle and shrink slightly in the first few years; as they adjust to their climate and change moisture content.
Most log home builders will accept this into account and permit for shrinkage.
Signs to look for that a log habitation didn't settle properly include windows and doors sticking or not opening and windows and doors bowing from the weight of the walls.
Await at segmentation walls, which are normally non logs, if a settling allowance wasn't fabricated in that location volition exist a large trouble that the outside walls will have shrunk and volition now be putting a lot of force per unit area on the interior walls, which in the worst case scenario could crusade them to fail and collapse.
Check that the roof doesn't accept any humps or dips. This could also be a sign than the property didn't settle properly.
Foundation settling issues are a deal breaker. Cabin's that have subsidence problems can eat huge fourth dimension and money.
Accept an skillful's opinion on settling and read about log cabin foundations.
Decks & Porches
Porches are a great improver to log cabins – they shelter the logs and reduce the wetting and drying cycle, whist protecting the logs from natural elements (i.east. pelting and sun).
With the benefit of porches and decks likewise comes a downside.
If the overhang is not large enough, or if there is no roof on the deck, then water volition drip down from the roof and splash back on the cabin.
Use the techniques above and bank check these areas for water damage and rot.
Interior Inspection
Once inside the cabin, you should be looking for all the same things as you did on the exterior, just you lot will as well desire to cheque for light and air infiltration betwixt the logs.
Expect in particular at the joining between the wall and the roof, and the roof rafters, purlins and ridge axle. Once again, you should exist checking the caulking and for whatsoever signs of insect infestation.
Staining is non as important on the interior every bit it is on the exterior, but I still recommend it then you should therefore also be checking for water and mold.
Documentation
It is also useful to visit the local town clerk'southward role to find out how many times the house has been sold and how ofttimes. A log home that has changed hands often may exist a sign that there are bug with the dwelling house that people don't want to deal with. In dissimilarity, a home which hasn't had many owners is probable to have been well looked after and maintained better.
Questions you lot should ask
When performing your log cabin inspection, other questions you can ask when you lot go to view a log dwelling are:
- When was the last fourth dimension the cabin was stained?
- Is the log cabin insured? if then, who with?
- When was the cabin built?
- How many owners has the cabin had?
- Who built the cabin?
- Are there any disclosures that need to be made, specifically on rot, insects and drainage?
Summary
Permit'south take a quick epitomize on the near important areas to check when yous're thinking of buying a log home.
Check the exterior logs for staining, caulk, checking and water damage. Bank check the roof for humps and dips, and that is has appropriate gutters.
Check for insect damage and how the log home has settled.
Remember that water is the number ane enemy of log cabins, as this is where most of the issues stalk from, so ensure that yous buy a watertight and waterproofed log abode.
Once you take used this article to narrow your choices downwardly to a couple of homes, I would suggest paying a log home specialist to inspect the property.
Good luck on your journey to finding a log home and we hope this guide will help aid you on your way. If you lot have any questions and then please comment below.
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Source: https://www.logcabinhub.com/buying-a-used-log-home/