This short video shows some of the chinking work being done here at the lodge. On a humorous note – my bother informed me that he turned the video into a drinking game telling me that for every time I say chinking he and his buds would take a swig. I do better next time.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I have never done anything like this before so I need to ask if log jam or chinking would be the safest way for me togo. I am planning on trying to fill in the spaces between cypress walls on the inside that have dried out leaving spaces between all of the boards. The house is rustic so I want very much to keep it that way. I am just trying to figure out if there is anything I can do. Thanks!!
Hello Mary Tom — First off thank you for visiting the site. As to your question I believe that if you could send a photo that would be of great help. Depending on the size of the space a synthetic material such as log jam might be the best way to go however — I will send you a email and if you could send photos then we can see what steps could be considered.
thanks for the site
Thank you for visiting Kentucky
Thanks for your video!!!
We are about to start chinking our log cabin that my Great-Great Grandparents built.
We have the recipe from the Historic Presevation Briefs:
1 Part cement
4 parts lime
6 parts sand.
I was recently told you have to soak the lime for 3 weeks, but your video you are just using the lime straight up. I know there are different types of lime. Can you please tell me what type of Lime you use?
Hello Kathie – My pleasure! Thanks for visiting the site!
Very cool – now there is some great history.
Thats a very god recipe – I’m using hydrated lime. That way I can avoid having to slack the lime as you described. You can find hydrated lime at a farm supply such as Farm and Fleet, fleet farm, AgWay or similar operations. Hydrated lime is used als to make whitewash and so it comes in large usually 50 pound bags and usually cost less than $5.00 a bag — I have picked it up for $2.00 at times.
Hydrated lime should not be confused with the lime you get in little bags at Home Depot or other big box stores or garden centers that is used in the garden. Sometimes the package will say granulated lime. You need Hydrated lime.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
I have a log house that is 28 by 36 ft. I t was built 1996 and the logs are 6 by 10 logs. Pine logs and pine board in between. The board are starting to leak and I found your recipe. I was needing to know can you do the inside and outside at the same time, and use the wire inside for it to bond to. If you know how do you remove water spots on the inside. I was going to start this project this month. Please email as soon if pssible.
Howdy Frances – I would work on the exterior first and seal off the potential for weather. Then you can work on the inside at your leisure. Yes you can use wire mesh – See how it was done by George and Heidi on their home — there are some photos.
As far as removing the water stains – you may want to try a poultice of cascade automatic dishwasher powdered soap with water – a thick mixture – and apply the moist mixture to the area affected. Leave it there for a few minutes and then clean the area. Be careful as Cascade will brighten the wood.
Hi Tony,
I am heading to the upper pennisula of Michigan to help my sister in law chink a log cabin that was built in the 30′s. Can you please send me the recipe for the chink? How much lime, sand, and cement for each batch. We are all virgin chinkers and doing it as a family project. After this experience we will be chinking our own cabin down in Texas where it gets into the 100′s. Are there issues with shrinkage? We enjoyed your video, thanks, Bill Fritz
Hey Bill – I sent off an email but it bounced back — no matter there is a chinking recipe here. I make small batches at a time. As far as shrinkage — there is very little shrinkage however you may experience small hairline cracks — that is natural. – I personally do not worry about them. If you are concerned about the hairline cracks in the chinking you can skim-coat with a paint brush loaded with the chinking mixture that has been mixed to a consistency like that of house paint.
Hi Tony,Received your message. Thank you for your response. I am in the start stage of building a cabin from the remains of two old tobbaco barns. Took down two barns and will be lucky to get enough good logs to finish my cabin. They look good when theyre standing , But sure get ugly when you get them down. always Look forward to info from your web site. Thanks again, George Epp
Hey George –
On man – Ill bet the wood is beautiful. Can’t wait to hear about your progress! — Thanks!
I am preparing a virgin chinking but wasn’t able to find a chink recipe except with ash which creates a consistency issue so thought I was stuck with synthetic. Two days before I was going to purchase 1500$ of chink, I found you! I’ve been looking for you for so long! I wonder about galvanized screws for application ease and time since I have to do the whole thing, in and out. Is there a reason not to? I cant think of one but you may have a reason. Your lodge is stunning and rich-true artistry from the logs to the masonry. I am so pleased to be able to make it. It changes my perspective completely and now I am excited to do it instead of resigned, all because I can make true chinking, not be stuck with another ‘superior to the original’ (not), anonymous product. For this alone, accept my thanks. I am sanding off the inner bark and redoing my whole home inside, cleaning, chinking and staining outside. I like the finish-what is it inside? What about outside and how has it held up to snow, sun?
Thanks again, Louise Russell Northport, Wa
Hello Louise –
I’m so glad you found the site and found it helpful.
I just have always used nails as I usually have an old coffee can sitting around somewhere with a bunch of old nails in it that can be put to good use. I find it rather easy to just wack in some nails rather then gong through the expense of purchasing galvanized screws and then the work to put them in. Nails are easy to bend into place too.
Glad you like the lodge — it is certainly a labor of love. — Thank you so much for your kind words and your enthusiasm!
Here at the lodge the interior of the logs is finished with an amber shellac. Shellac is quite forgiving and easily repaired with simple alcohol. On the exterior I used a water based stain called UV Guard by Weatherall. I find it to be an excellent product. The exterior finish holds up very well to the elements. I have found it to be superior to other commercially available products.
I would love to see how your efforts turn out –
Tony, I watched the video, very well done, I might add. Thanks!
Hey Wally – Thanks! — on a humorous note – my bother informed me that he turned the video into a drinking game. Every time I say chinking they’d have to take a drink. LOL — I’ll keep that in mind next time.