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THE LOG HOME RESTORATION PROCESS
A complete Log Home restoration involves a multi-step process combined with intricate labor. ELHR and crew have over 20+ Years of Experience and have restored over 150 log cabins. We enjoy working hard towards the restoration, repair, and maintenance on your Log Home. See below for an overview of the complete restoration process.
THe log home restoration process
Step 1: Initial Inspection
- The first step to a successful restoration is an initial inspection. The inspection process starts with a consultation and analysis of questions and concerns regarding your log home.
-At WLHR we are here to provide our decades of expertise and experience to help you navigate the process of maintenance and restoration of your log home. We offer on-site consultation and inspection, or can work with you off-site providing us with a phone call, email, or photos and videos of your property.
-On site inspection can involve an evaluation of your home's
log finish condition: including weathering of wood surfaces, UV degradation, inspection of checks, log cracks, and log ends, areas of log decay, rot, and moisture retention, and/or failed chinking application.
-Log homes require routine maintenance and log surfaces are susceptible to failed and worn stain chinking and log rot.
- Dark or discolored exteriors log homes can mean a couple of things: the finish has failed over years of UV and weather exposure. Logs can be covered in mold, mildew, or dirt. Logs can also have signs of pest invasion. Log and Timber frame homes have specific pests that like to chew up wood, or burrow inside.
-Give us a call and we will work with you to identify issues and provide personalized solutions for what your log home needs.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 2: Exterior Finish Removal | Media Blasting
- Log Home Media Blasting consists of using blast media: i.e. walnut shells, corncob grit, or recycled crushed glass to abrade the finish off the wood or logs and prepare the log home for new staining and topcoat.
-WLHR Prefers the use of Walnut Shell Media along with a professional media blasting unit, and typically a diesel compressor capable of 185 CFM (cubic feet per minute) is required.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 3: Surface Preparation
-Sanding and grinding (when necessary) is performed to the entirety of the log homes surface and log ends to remove any left-over stain, reduce pitting and raised grain, and to give your logs a smooth finish to prepare for stain application.
-WLHR uses professional Large 6-inch random orbital sanders with 40-80 grit Hook & Loop Sanding Discs depending on the surface wood condition, imperfections, and species.
-After sanding, we take an extra step to blow off all log surfaces to remove any residual dirt and dust particles, and further ensure a properly prepared surface for a new or refreshed coat of finishing.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
THe log home restoration process
Step 4: Log Wash
-After surface preparation, the next step in a log home’s restoration process is a log wash. If a home has been media blasted, is it necessary to wash down the wood with a Log Wash™ solution before the fining application process.
. -Log Wash is a liquid concentrate low pH wood cleaner for cleaning log and wood surfaces. It can also be used as a maintenance cleaner or to prepare the surface of wood for a new coat of stain or topcoat.
-Log Wash works to remove dirt, grime, pollen, and surface stains without harming the wood or the finish and is used for preparing the surface of prepared bare wood for a new coat of stain. As opposed to bleach solutions, Log Wash does not upset the natural pH balance of the wood, thus preventing wood fiber damage and iron tannate stains.
-WLHR uses Permachink Log Wash™ exclusively for log cleaning prior to staining. We gently remove dirt and grime with a soft bristled vehicle brush to wipe down the blasted surface and remove any remaining foreign matter substances that may be adhering to, or embedded within wood surfaces.
- Permachink recommends thorough cleaning and preparation procedures as the best way to help prevent unsightly fungal growth under our transparent finishes, and to ensure the best adhesion and longevity of their exterior stain and topcoat systems.
-The exterior of a log home is a settling ground for dust, pollen and other airborne contaminants that dull the surface and encourage mold growth. For maintenance purposes a light cleaning once or twice a year will keep a home looking beautiful and help prolong the life of the exterior wood finish.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 5: Masking and Covering Windows and External Home Components
-Following a Log Wash, the next step in the restoration process involves masking and covering of external components surrounding the property and worksite . This may include relocation of surrounding decor, covering electrical fixtures, and using heavy polyvinyl film, professional masking tape, and tarping to cover windows and surfaces to prevent stain and other applications from adhering to unwanted surfaces.
At WLHR, we pride ourselves on proper preparation, leaving you worry-free while throughout the entire restoration process.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 6: Stain and Finishing Product Application
- Each log home is unique in its construction and physical appearance and in order to have a stunning exterior appeal, the finished appearance of your logs is of utmost importance.
-The most noticeable step in log home restoration involves application and/or refreshing of the exterior stain and finish, and WLHR puts pride, passion, and meticulous care into this process. By using a hiqh quality stain upfront, you will get a distinguished looking wood finish that will set your home apart from the rest.
-Prior to stain application, we are able to provide stain tone and color options and apply them to a section of log to fulfill personal preference.
-WLHR utilizes a standardized stain application process that involves professional application and coating of Lifeline Prelude Clear Primer/Sealer, Permachink Lifeline™ Ultra 7 Stain, & Lifeline Advance ™ Clear Exterior Top Coat premium products.
-Typically one coat of Permachink Lifeline™ Ultra 7 Stain is applied to the log home exterior followed by 2 coats & Lifeline Advance ™ Clear Exterior Top Coat. Each coat is back brushed by a professional 5" deck brushes to ensure maximum coverage and performance of the finish.
- WLHR uses professional-grade airless sprayers, brushes, tools and painting accessories to ensure quality and consistency in application of exterior products.
-Lifeline Advance extends the life of the finish system while adding depth and highlights to the appearance. It makes your exterior walls easier to keep clean and has the right permeability to keep the film breathable while repelling liquid water.
-Lifeline Ultra-7 is the most durable exterior stain that Perma-Chink Systems has ever developed. After multiple exposure tests in harsh weather areas across the country (think snow country, the sunny southeast and extreme mountain locations), Lifeline Ultra-7 stands out as THE top-of-the-line, long-lasting finish.
-Confident in the performance of our Ultra-7 : Perma-chink offers a 5-year warranty against UV exposure when applied to bare wood and covered with Lifeline Advance clear topcoat and then a maintenance coat of Lifeline Advance during the third year.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 7: Chinking & Log Home Sealant Application
-A final step and one that can give your log home a unique exterior appeal combined with protection involves the application of Chinking.
-Chinking is a type of sealant material that is used to fill gaps between the logs in a log home.
-WLHR applies Perma-Chink and Energy Seal Sealant Products (along with others if necessary) using specialized and professional painting and caulking tools for this process. WLHR may also use specialized foam backing products such as Grip Strip and Backer Rod between log courses, windows, and gapped areas as needed. These products are shaped to fit between log courses to form a flat surface for the application of Perma-Chink or Energy Seal. This makes it easier to maintain a consistent thickness of sealant across the seam, reducing the amount of sealant required and improving the sealant’s performance.
-It's simply the best log home chinking by every measure: longevity, appearance, performance and ease of application. Revolutionizing the log home industry from inception, we have improved Perma-Chink throughout the decades to offer a log home sealant with unparalled adhesion, elasticity, easy tooling, and is blister-proof and slump-free. Our improvement efforts is why Perma-Chink is the leading choice of log homeowners who want to seal and protect their investments for generations.
-Perma-Chink log home chinking looks like traditional mortar. It stretches, compresses and tightly adheres to log surfaces to make your log walls weather tight and attractive.
- Perma-Chink is a flexible, textured chinking that seals the open gaps between logs to eliminate heat loss and air infiltration. Even though it looks and feels like traditional mortar, it's not. Perma-Chink is a pure acrylic that adheres to logs and stretches to maintain a tight seal by following log movement.
-Energy Seal is a textured sealant that helps to match the appearance of the surrounding wood. The texture also allows it to accept a stain so that sealed joints and gaps become virtually invisible.
-Energy Seal may also be used in narrow chink joints with a width of one inch or less. Energy Seal can be used to seal gaps between logs, around windows, doors, vents and anywhere else where air or water can enter your home.
-During the final stage, WLHR also applies
PermaChink Log End Seal™ End Grain Sealer:
Log End Seal is a clear finish that is designed to protect exposed log ends from deterioration due to the elements. The end-grain of your logs are particularly vulnerable to checking and absorbing water, and can act like tiny straws, drawing excessive moisture into the wood. Log End Seal provides a durable, water-repellent barrier against sun, rain, snow and ice.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.
Step 8: Routine Maintenance
-Routine Maintenance is a crucial and continual step in keeping your Log Home in pristine and protected condition.
-It is recommended to Log Wash your log home annually, and WLHR can provide periodic log washing services at your convenience: just give us a call or email to schedule a Log Wash
- WLHR can also provide refreshing maintenance coats of finish and sealant to your Log Home, which can involve light sanding where necessary and additional coats of stain or topcoat.
-We can also provide additional inspection of worn and weathered finishes and sealants and wood rot to prevent costly future repairs.
WLHR can be reached toll free at (888)-231-2412 or feel free to use the contact button below.