Answers

Elisa: Do not use steel wool. It will get caught in the wood and make rust marks over time.Try finding an Osborne Brush in the log home catalogs and put it on a low RPM side grinder (angle grinder).

Sounds like you have some rotted logs, taring out the floor was a good idea also. Have all the rotted logs changed out.

I would have a professional come by and do a log condition report. You want to make sure the logs are in sound shape. Home disclosure statement should also have this stated,

Bill: You might try try washing them off with warm water and a little Spic & Span. If this does not work you will have to sand them out.

Yes, I have seen many log homes sidded over. Look at the 1800s log homes that were built, most of them were board and battened over for this reason.

Dont let the log checks determine the comfort level of humidity you want to live with. Log checking does occur natually and will take 5 years or longer to compensate depending on the diameters. Humidify the home to your personal liking.

Mike: Washing with water in bleach is the right process, but be careful not to use too much bleach. If you do not get all of it rinsed off properly the new stain will not adhere to the wood.

You are getting involved with a detailed job. I’ve used bottle jacks with verticle supports. You might have to install verticle posts on the exterior to support this.

Theres not too much you can do with this situation. Spraying borate on the surface would cut down some bug infestation buy not advisable. I’ve re-attached bark on log home like this where the bark was falling off, I used copper roofing nails and staples where not visable. If any… Read More »Archive-7398

Kathi: Wash thelogs with a mixture of 1/2 cup bleach and 1/2 cup TSP to five gallons of warm water. Rinse with clean warm water. You must be careful not to use too much bleach as it will not allow the new stain to stick to the logs.