Hello,
We are contemplating buying a log cabin, but some of the logs are clearly rotten. We worry others may be as well. How can one tell? Would Thermal imaging reveal bad logs on the inside even when outside looks ok?
That’s a very valid concern — visible rot usually means there’s more going on. You can’t reliably tell from looks alone; rot often starts inside the log and works outward. Thermal imaging can sometimes help by showing moisture patterns or temperature differences, but it does not diagnose rot by itself. The most reliable way is a hands-on inspection that checks moisture levels, wood hardness, and problem areas like bottom logs, windows, and rooflines. We recommend Ryan over at logrepair.com to get a full picture of what’s going on and an estimate for repairs.