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Replacing a rotten log on a log home is no easy task. However it is an unfortunate task that sometimes may have to be tackled. Luckily there have been only a couple of logs that have needed to be replaced on this 100+ year old structure.

Here at the lodge a base log was in great need of repair. Being that the logs are all American Chestnut - which no longer grows to any size here in the U.S. since the blight that wiped them out in the 1920s and 30s - a suitable replacement has to be located.

I choose Ash as a replacement. It has a similar grain as Chestnut and blends well. Ash also takes stain much the same and once stained its difficult to differ between the two. It provides very straight logs and is a nice hard wood with that I can easily obtain. Suffice it to say that I love getting my hands on a fine piece of Ash.

The log in question is a base log. A base log is the first log in contact with the foundation.

In Butt and Pass construction the base log is secured to the foundation with large spikes to adjoining logs and the foundation itself. Therefore removing a base log can be tricky business.

The log that I have to replace is not only rotten in portions but had been attacked by powderpost beetles at some point in the past and now hosts home to removed I removed all nail heads. Using an electric chainsaw I then begin to cut into the log so that I can remove the log in sections. I do this simply to make it easier on myself.

Sections of the log shown here reveal the extent of the powderpost beetle chambers.

The old log now removed can be seen here on the left.

Before I can insert the new Ash log there is some preparation work that I have to do. I have to clean the area and apply both my home made wood preservative as well as dust the area with boric acid. In addition I have to clean up the top of the foundation and prepare it for fresh chinking once the new log have been positioned.

Before I can use the new log I will have to remove the bark and Ill give it a good dousing of my wood preservative as well as a dusting of boric acid.

As straight as Ash is I’ll still have to wrestle with it a bit to locate it properly where the old log had been.