October 30, 2015
How to get your log home ready for winter
We’re coming up on those harsh winter months, and while everyone has things on their to-do list in regards to the falling temperatures, winterizing your log home should be on the top. Freezing conditions can be especially hard on these unique houses, so it’s important to do everything you can to make sure that your house weathers the snowy season. Take a look at the suggestions below to ensure that you and your log home stay safe and toasty warm this winter.
Exterior
- If you can find a few days that are above 50 degrees, it’s a good idea to wash and re-stain your house in preparation for the season. Ridding your home of dirt and grime now is much cheaper than restoring a log home that’s been neglected. We recommend Log Wash to get your home sparkling clean, and Lifeline Accents Exterior to keep it that way.
- Sealing your log home is one of the best ways to save money on that heating bill this winter. Sealants like Energy Seal keep your home toasty warm, and protect you from cold drafts that can sneak in from corners and edges.
- Fill in any checks. While they aren’t inherently bad for your or your home, as your log house ages it will dry out and crack. These cracks are called checks, and they don’t damage the integrity of your home, but if they appear on the tops of round logs it’s important to fill them. These checks specifically can collect water which often leads to molding and leaks. Use a filler like Checkmate 2 to stop these up before the snow falls.
- Check your weather stripping and caulk. These are two very important components in protecting the interior of your home from the elements. Replacing weatherstripping means less money spent on that heating bill, and refilling breaks in the caulking now can save you a lot of trouble and money down the road. This Woodsman Caulk comes in six different colors, guaranteeing you a perfect match.
- Just like with any home, regular gutter checks are essential. Leaves and other gunk can build up, and it’s important for the health of your home that you clean them out before winter hits.
- Don’t neglect to rake all debris away from your log house’s foundation. While it may seem like a big job, discouraging rodents and insects from taking up residence this winter is well worth the few hours of raking.
- Inspect your foundation for cracks and chinks. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so it’s very important to look closely and fill in any holes.
- Finally, remember that you don’t want to store firewood on your porch or in your home. While a nice stack of birchwood might seem picturesque sitting next to your fireplace, it can be detrimental to the health of your home. When firewood warms up, the bugs come out, and the last thing you want to deal with in the dead of winter is calling an exterminator. So, make sure to keep all of your firewood at least two feet from your home, and don’t keep more than what you’ll need for a day in your house.
- As many log homes have a fireplace, it’s important to make sure they are well kept up. Consider calling a chimney sweep to remove soot and other build-up if you use your fireplace often. Also, verify that your damper is functioning properly. Malfunctioning dampers can allow precious heat to escape, adding to your heating bill and also to your discomfort.
- Since your house is probably going to be closed up for most of the winter with a heater or fireplace blazing, and windows and doors shut, you’ll want to be certain that both your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and have active batteries.
- Although it doesn’t happen too often, a power outage is always a possibility with our heavy snowfalls. See to it that you’re prepared for the season with flashlights, batteries, some water bottles, and matches stored in a safe, convenient place, just in case the power does go out.
