How to Keep Moisture Out of Your Log Home

When it comes to log homes, too much moisture can be a bad thing. Log homes can be a bit of an investment, so it makes sense that you want to do everything in your power to prevent your home from falling victim to log rot, mold, mildew, and any other negative side effect that comes from overexposure to moisture. If you’re building a log home and you’re worried about keeping moisture out of your home, there are a few things you can do. Use completely dry timber when building Making sure your home’s logs are dry before your home is built is an important step in preventing overexposure to moisture later on. When choosing materials, many builders will air dry or kiln dry logs to make sure logs are dry before building. While this is usually effective, the best bet for making sure your logs are completely dry is to use dead timber. That way, you know there’s absolutely no moisture in the logs. Preserve your logs properly When building a log home, it’s important to take preventative measures by applying a wood preservative to your logs. Wood preservatives keep water, and therefore mold, fungus, and insects, out of your home’s logs. We recommend using Armor Guard, Shell Guard Concentrate, or Shell Guard Ready to Use for your project. Make sure your home is well-designed Your home’s design can have a large impact on whether or not your logs take in too much moisture. Including large roof overhangs, correctly sized gutters and downspouts, proper flashing around windows, doors, and other exteriors, as well as drainage plains around the house can help keep water from getting into your logs and your home. We hope these tips help you as you build your dream log home. For more information about our wood preservatives and our waterproof seals and finishes, visit our online exterior products or give us a call at 800-564-2987.