Spring is just around the corner and now is the time to start your log cabin spring maintenance. I perform a staged inspection each spring to make things a bit easier and makes the work go quickly.
Winter’s freeze and thaw cycles can damage any home but on a log home can create situations with your logs that if not addressed in a timely manner can become more serious issues later on. I cannot stress enough that an early spring inspection of your log cabin, when the weather first begins to warm, is critical.
I do a three-stage spring inspection and maintenance here at the lodge. I start with a basic and general inspection first so as to identify and take care of any obvious concerns. I do a more detailed inspection and maintenance a little later in the spring as the weather begins to stabilize. Lastly I do a final spring inspection looking over the work I have performed during my spring maintenance, attend to anything that I may have missed.
Any time that I inspect the exterior logs, I wear a tool belt with a few things that I have found to be indispensable inspection tools. I will soon post what tools I have in my tool-belt, my reasons and how I use them.
I also carry a notebook with me during my inspection in which I write down what I find, the severity and its location. Coming up I will share my inspection and maintenance notebook.
Keeping a notebook of what I find during my inspection, as anal as it sounds, actually helps me be more efficient as I perform the necessary maintenance and repairs as I can quickly move from one spot to another with one set of tools or supplies. Keeping a notebook also provides me with a record of maintenance.
Here are the 10 things I do during a general spring inspection:
- I take a look at the general cleanliness of the log wall looking for any signs of dirt, sawdust or bird droppings. Dirt can be easily wiped or brushed away. Sawdust on the surface of a log can indicate that somewhere above a wood-boring insect has been busy. Bird droppings can damage a finish and can reveal a previously unseen nest up in the overhang or a favorite perch.
- Standing on the ground I quickly scan each log from end to end looking for any new cracks or large checks in the logs that may have developed over winter. Checks and cracks on the upper register of the logs can trap water and funnel it into the house. These will need immediate attention.
- I use the same method above to check the chinking –looking for any obvious signs of damage such as loose, cracked or broken chinking not only between logs but also around the logs at the corners.
- I’ll look over the logs for any signs of water damage such as dark stains and drip marks.
- Taking a look along the base logs I note any splatters of dirt as this usually means that water has been splashing on the logs.
- Using the rubber mallet from my inspection tool belt, I gently tap, focusing along the base logs, logs under windows and log ends listening for differences in the sound the log makes. A difference in the sound can be an indication that the log is retaining water or worse may be compromised.
- I pay close attention to the ends of my logs looking for any damage. Log ends are particularly susceptible to water damage and can quickly wick water into the log if not treated properly.
- I take a look at the finish on my logs and, using a spray bottle, I’ll spray a little water onto the logs to see if it beads up and rolls off the log. If it doesn’t then I need to consider applying a new coat of stain.
- I check around windows and doors looking for gaps that will need to be sealed.
- Finally, I inspect the integrity of flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights and log walls.
I hope that this helps provide you a simplified guide for your log cabin spring inspection and maintenance tips. 
If you have any suggestions or tips we would love to hear from you.
