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2023-11: Warosu is now out of extended maintenance.

/diy/ - Do It Yourself

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1727074 No.1727074 [Reply] [Original]

We're looking at buying a log home and wanted to know about the extra maintenance that comes with that. Wood working doesn't scare me but I feel that this is probably a little different than making a dining room table or doing an inlay. I don't know how thrilled I'd be to take a palm sander to a 2800 sq/ft home. Are there simpler ways? I've heard both "yes" and "no" to power washing the old finish off. Those of you that do it yourself, how long is the project? Those of you who job it out, about how much does that run?

I'm in SW MO if the weather makes a difference.

>> No.1727080

Log exterior or interior walls too? Real log walls or traditional construction with half logs/log veneer.

Real log construction isn't that bad to maintain. Exterior wise you pressure wash them when they get too moldy and have to reseal them every 10 to 15 years depending on climate. Resealing is means a pressure wash, 1 gallon garden sprayer and some stain. Chinking will be a once in your lifetime thing and really isn't and harder than stuffing a crack full of mud.

Interior log walls are a different beast. They add lots of complexity to construction, are a nightmare for remodeling, and if you get a bug problem you might as well move.

>> No.1727087
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1727087

>>1727080
Its real log that show on the interior structure walls.

Everywhere I've been looking at says to strip and re-stain every 2-3 years and some say to put a clear over that as well. I just can't seem to really find a clear consensus.

pic related. Looks like it needs a refinish already to be honest. We might be able to get that into the closing though so we wouldn't need to worry about it for a while.

>> No.1727105

>>1727087
just pressure wash with bleach, let it thoroughly dry and use linseed oil to preserve it. looks like a nice place, hows the roof?

>> No.1727106

>>1727087
Every 2 to 3 years? Lol. They age better than decks (vertical vs horizontal surfaces) and those can go 5 to 10 years before dry rot sets in.

I've only ever used a varnish on interior walls to keep them from shedding. Putting a varnish on the outside sounds as expensive as it is time consuming and dumb. The logs need to breathe and weather like any exterior wooden structure.

>> No.1727120

>>1727105
Roof is less than 5 years old. I would probably go metal once it's shot. It needs new flooring through out (livable but looks like shit), has some wallpaper that needs to come down, and counter tops that look pretty aged. And we'd have to get a double sink somewhere in that house as well as a walk in shower.

Would Linseed oil hold up through rainy seasons? I've used it on a lot of projects but didn't think it's water resistance was all that great.

>>1727106
That's kind of what I was thinking, but I have absolutely zero experience with outdoor wood projects.

>> No.1727134

>>1727120
there are tons of products out there to preserve the ext logs. It doesn't need to be linseed oil. when you apply it you have to penetrate it pretty deep.

once you pressure wash those logs should look new, all the same. it's my favorite time.
get a nice metal roof on top of those shingles and you can die in peace.