Log Home Treatment
Our Services (select one)
- Log and Timber Frame Repair and Replacement
- Cob-blasting, Cleaning and Stain Removal
- Staining, Sealing, and Log Home Finishes
- Chinking and Caulking
- Historic Restoration & Vintage Lumber
- Impel Rods for Log Homes
- Borate Treatment for Log Homes
- 10 Tips for maintaining your log home
- Maintenance Estimate Request Form
Log and Timber Frame Repair and Replacement
Nehemiah Construction Management specializes in the cosmetic repair and structural replacement in log and timber homes. Many log home companies and manufacturers are no longer in business today, therefore replacement logs are difficult if not impossible to locate. We have a large profile and species database to assist our customers in locating a close match when repairing and replacing logs in their log home. In cases where matches are not found, our experienced craftsmen can duplicate your log on the jobsite.
Fire damage, storm damage, insect damage, finish failure, neglect or insufficient information on maintenance are just a few of the reasons that our company is contacted to perform cosmetic repairs or structural log replacement. Upon completion of a comprehensive assessment of your log home damage our professionals will advise if cosmetic or full structural log repair is needed. We are committed to providing superior service as we transform your home back to a state that offers you comfort and peace of mind.
Cob/ Soda blasting, Cleaning and Stain Removal
Nehemiah Construction Management offers a variety of methods for cleaning your log home or removing existing finishes. It is necessary to properly clean and prepare the surface before applying any new treatment or stain.
Cleaning with light low pressure washing( under 500 PSI) is often recommended if your home needs a maintenance coat or additional coats of your current stain. However, careful consideration is needed to avoid damaging the wood fibers and/or leaking into your home. Appropriate chemical cleaners will be used to remove dirt, grime, molds and mildew. Rinsing is a must and proper drying time should always be a consideration.
Complete removal of existing stains is often necessary if the existing staining is failing or if you want a brand new look with new stains. This can be accomplished with chemical stripping or Corn Cob or Baking Soda Blasting.
Chemical removal of the finish includes application of chemical strippers that are used to remove the existing finish. This method does require complete rinsing and neutralizing of the wood before applying a new finish.
Cob/ Soda Blasting is a safe, environmentally friendly method that we also use to remove existing finishes. This method safely removes existing finishes using corn cob media which is a natural, biodegradable product.
Advantages to Cob/ Soda Blasting
- Stripping can be done in virtually any kind of weather or temperature
- Since water is not used, the surface can be coated with preservatives and Stains immediately
- While moderate dust can be blown into your log home through wall joints or corners, no damaging water or chemicals will be forced through the walls
- Produces a surface that is ideal for coatings to achieve excellent penetration and adhesion
- The Blasting media is totallybiodegradable and non-toxic
- Can be the most environmentally sound method
- Workers are not exposed to chemical hazards
- The method is safe for surrounding grass and shrubbery
- This method is often used to obtain a “brand new” look for your logs
Staining, Sealing and Log Home Finishes
We feel that the importance of applying quality log home finishes to your investment cannot be emphasized strongly enough. Water and UV rays will destroy the structural integrity of your log home if left unfinished. The average home buyer will spend many hours discussing wood species and home design but are sometimes unsure about the products that are available.
We are committed to giving special attention to the research of a variety of preservatives, stains and top coats available in the log home industry today. Because our company believes in protecting your log home, we will work with you to establish the best product for your home while taking into consideration factors such as log species, moisture content and geographical location.
Finishes are available in water based and oil based finishes. Oil based finishes are deep penetrating stains that soak deep into the wood and water based stains coat the exterior surface of the log. Most home owners choose a clear transparent stain, semi transparent stain, semi solid stain or a solid stain. We recommend a finish that offers your home more protection against UV rays.
In order to professionally apply stains and finishes to your home, we properly prepare the wood surfaces and first apply a borate treatment to your logs. During the staining process, we also offer stain additives such as mildew ides and insecticides to assist with the treatment of problematic issues such as high humidity and insects.
Log Home Repair and Restoration will assist you in obtaining the right finish and the right look for your log home. We can apply the finishes, help you with the application procedures needed for you to apply it yourself and assist you with purchasing the appropriate products.
Chinking and Caulking
Log home builders and homeowners continue to face the challenge of preventing air and water infiltration. We are experienced in the application of caulking in problem areas such as knots, checks, cracks, corners joints, butt joints, in between log courses and around windows and doors.
Nehemiah Construction Management has extensive knowledge and experience in all forms of caulking and chinking applications. We use a series of high quality textured caulking and sealants. Chinking and caulking are available in a wide variety of colors. You can obtain a contrast appearance or choose wood tone colors that closely match your stain.
We use a variety of modern chinking products that are much more elastic and durable than the mortar chinking of decades past. Chinking is not always a user friendly product and the application is often meticulous and time consuming. We recommend the use of backer rod or “bond breakers” to obtain a two point contact and to avoid a three point adhesion.
Historic Restoration & Vintage Lumber
Log cabins are important symbols of our American history. Log cabin construction methods were brought to America by European colonists. The history of log cabins shows us the diversity of construction methods of generations past . Colonists often built the cabins from trees on the property where they settled. These cabins were often built from a variety of different species. A variety of hand tools were also used to construct these cabins of decades past. Chinking was made from many materials such as clay, moss, stones, straw, mud and shredded paper.
Nehemiah Construction Management is very excited to be a part of preserving our cultural heritage. We are skilled in methods of repair and continue to implement plans to increase the longevity of these important structures. Disassembling log cabins and relocating them to other locations is also an important part of our business. We have carefully disassembled cabins piece by piece. We carefully document, photograph and tag each piece of lumber for reassembly in order to accurately reconstruct the cabin in its new location.
The use of vintage lumber in new construction and renovation today is an increasing popular option. Vintage reclaimed timber from cabins is a diminishing commodity as some historic cabins are systematically being remanufactured into beams, flooring , timber frames and cabinetry. Nehemiah Construction Management can supply vintage materials based on availability for the discerning homeowner who is seeking that special touch for their home.
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10 Tips for Maintaining Your Log Home
- Design! Design! Design! Roof overhangs are a necessary part of protecting your log home. Overhangs should be a minimum of 24” in width.
- Install a termite shield and treat the soil for termites when constructing the foundation of the home.
- Install vapor barriers and vent the foundation properly to eliminate moisture.
- Preserve your logs with a quality log home finish. Log homes have special finishing requirements that are not necessarily the same requirements as found on structures build with standard sawn lumber.
- Evaluate your design and incorporate a system to divert water from general precipitation in the form of snow, mist or rain. Correct any area where rain water stands or splashes directly on the log or any wood surface.
- Pay attention to the humidity factor in your area. You may need to take additional steps to protect your home from decay and fungus. A borate treatment or a finish addictive such as a mildecide will protect the wood form molds and mildew.
- Grade around the log home to divert water and soil from touching the logs. Do not plant shrubs and other vegetation too close to the log wall surface.
- Do not stack firewood or other lumber next to your home.
- Perform yearly maintenance checks or hire a professional to implement a maintenance program. Check for water leaks, signs of insect infestation and finish failure.
- Keep a journal on the maintenance of your log home. Keep records and dates of the products applied, the warranties and the contractors who have worked on your home. Keep notes of your observations.
Impel Rods for Log Homes
Impel Rods are a highly concentrated solid form, water diffusible borate rod. They are ideal for both preventative treatments of high risk areas and remedial treatments in areas with existing decay. Because Impel Rods stop decay when properly used, there is no need to replace decay damaged, yet structurally sound logs! Decay prone and rot hot spot areas at greatest risk include: base logs, corner construction, exposed rafters or overhangs, and below windows, doors, and dormers.
Impel Rods depend on moisture to work. When moisture contents of wood reach levels suitable for decay attack, i.e. (around 25 percent) Impel Rods slowly dissolve and begin to diffuse throughout the moisture saturated wood. The preservative will migrate into the areas of highest moisture, which are at the highest risk from fungal decay. The diffused Impel Rod will adequately and effectively prevent the wood from rotting and decaying because it will not allow the fungus that causes rot to grow. When moisture levels drop below 25 percent, the preservative becomes dormant and provides a reserve, ready to reactivate should decay conducive conditions reoccur. We feel that Impel Rods are an essential part of the protection of your log home, and include them as part of our prevention and restoration system.
Borate Treatment for Log Homes
One of the most important ways to protect your investment, your home, is to use a wood preservative on your logs. There are only two times that you can effectively use these products on your logs. When the home is built, before it is stained, or after cob blasting a finish off of your logs, before you re-stain. The wood preservative must be applied to raw wood, so it can soak in and dry underneath the stain.
All wood faces the possibility of rot and insect infestation, even in dry climates. Fungi and insects actually consume the cells of dead wood, often causing severe structural damage that requires log replacement - a costly repair. We use Penetreat to help protect your home from costly damage of rot and insect infestation. Penetreat is a borate based wood preservative. Borates are well known across the world for their protective qualities. Penetreat provides a protective shell coating which helps defend your home against dry, wet, and brown rot, as well as termites, house borers, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants, (to name a few).
Borate is not toxic to people and animals. It will not harm you or your pets. Borates do not affect the natural color or strength of wood. They are completely odorless, and are not corrosive to metal fasteners, nails or screws. When a Penetreat home is properly sealed against moisture, the borates can provide many years of effective protective.
Maintenance Estimate Request Form