Here is a great email from Andy Bell.
Bought some property 3 years ago in Southeast Texas. On it, a log cabin actually built in the 50′s with telephone poles. (Pine) Insert Air Conditioning plus poor design causes some pretty extensive damage though more facial, in some cases, half way through. After determining the damage, I formulated a plan to re-brace the wall at bottom (open), remove the rotted portions, buy treated logs (pine) which are actually used for corner bracing for large fence areas, split and replace rotted area’s. I thought (think) the best way to brace each replacement to the remaining log was to I bolt with curved metal brace. Not sure it will be that aesthetically pleasing but then….Im a rookie. Large nails? Screws? Your thoughts.
Chinking info was invaluable as the former owner chinked with everything from concrete to plastic, caulking, paper and glue. Removing all of it, using your process. Thanks.
The devil as they say is in the details which by the way, your site gave me HUGE information on. Thanks for that. Wish I could shake your hand one day…always appreciate craftsman who I can learn from.
Andy Bell
Hello Andy — Thanks for visiting the site — I’m so glad that you were able to find information that was of help.
Built with telephone poles eh? — I don’t see why not – sounds pretty cool.
Although the curved metal bands would probably work I would suggest applying the half log and nailing it in from both the top and the bottom — this area would most likely be covered with chinking thereby covering the nails/spikes.
Photos would be appreciated. From the photos I would be able to put together a diagram as to an approach.
You have to keep us posted of your progress!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello, thank you for your site! We have discovered that the supporting poles of the cabin are rotten on the exterior. This cabin is on a ski hill in British Columbia, and was one of the first cabins on the hill back in 1965. The poles are in good shape, other than large cracks, once they go under the roof an inside, however wherever they have been exposed to the elements they are rotten right through. I believe they are Larch.
If you would like more photos please let me know.
I am wondering if there is a way to remove the rotten poles and replace them without having to remove the entire length of the log. My initial plan was to cut off the rotten piece and somehow replace the pole by putting a steel band around the joint for stability. My concern is that the logs have quite deep cracks and screwing into them may split them even more.
Another suggestion was to place angle iron supports on top of and under the logs and run these up about three feet under the roof and into the cabin. Once again it would have to be attached with a band rather than screwing into the log. This would not be aesthetically pleasing!
I also wondered about replacing the log and using a peg method where I cored out the logs and placed a steel peg about three feet into each log.
I have posted a few photos of the cabin (http://gallery.me.com/robmctavish/100157) to hopefully give you a better idea of what I am talking about
Thank you very much!!
Hello Rob — First off I have to say — damn – that is a cool place. Interesting construction. I have to be honest with you – In a case like this I am not sure – and I would hate to give you incorrect information as these are structural supports placed in a manner with which I am totally unfamiliar. It appears that the internal posts are taking most of the weight of the ridge – however I don’t know how much of the weight of the wall is supported by the angular log that comes in from the exterior. I believe that Im going to have to defer the question to a structural engineer or at least someone that can speak to this better. I”m going to chew on this for a bit myself too before coming out with a repair suggestion.
I’m going to have a friend of mine check this out and see what he thinks.