In many previous posts I discuss the use of boric acid during the process of replacing chinking, repairing logs and have identified several other uses where boric acid should be used as well as methods of application.

Boric acid works as a wood preservative — it kills mold, mildew as well insects and is very useful to have around any home - not just log homes.

I have received numerous emails and questions as to where to find boric acid. In fact more than one reader has emailed saying that they found boric acid at a local pharmacy which was both very small amounts and at an astronomical cost.

Boric acid is not very expensive and a little goes a long way.

I have placed in the side bar a link to the best source for boric acid they carry boric acid (PeneTreat) in the perfect sized quantities for most applications at a very attractive price.

Over a period of time I will be sharing my sources for materials as I have chosen them very carefully. I do not take such relationships lightly. Service and quality are chief concerns. I could easily load up on links to various suppliers of materials yet I refuse to do so. Links to such are chosen very carefully and only after extensive conversations.

Please follow the above link and should you wish to call them, ask for Mike Carey. He is a wealth of information. Tell him that Bearfort Lodge says hello.

I’ve been gone for quite some time and have been working with a few people as to incorporating video into the website to provide how-to videos of some of the projects that are happening around here.

In an effort to provide better information as to the restoration progress around Bearfort Lodge and improved instructions and demonstrations of some of the projects this first video is simply an introduction.

Here we are nearing the end of August. Autumn is approaching quickly and winter is not far behind sothis is the time in which log cabin owners should begin the late season inspection of logs and chinking.

Let’s focus on the chinking for now.

Late summer is a great time to do a final inspection of your chinking before the cold weather sets in. Why you may ask? If you need to make any repairs or touch-ups on chinking and use synthetic chinking materials keep in mind that these products are to be used in temperatures greater then 40 degrees. Therefore inspecting your chinking now provides you with the adequate time to make your repairs before the cold weather sets in.

Read more about preparing for winter

Cleaning old wood can be tricky. I have found that many commercial wood cleaners can be much too harsh. I don’t want to raise the grain and end up with a fuzzy surface nor do I want to damage the underlying finish if there is one.

Pressure washing on a log home is out of the question.

The task at hand here is to clean the old logs on the veranda. They have probably never been cleaned and are mostly black from years of soot and general grime from when this place was a tavern and relied on coal and wood to heat.

Read more on home brew cleaner