We are redoing the outside of our log home which was built in the 1930’s. We are estimating that the previous owners last did this in the 1980’s or early 1990’s. The logs have cracks on the east side of the house and were filled with some type of wood filler that has started to warp and push out of the cracks. Now that we have removed this filler, what is the best way to repair them and what products should be used?
I recommend that you do not fill the checks (cracks) in the logs. What happens is the caulk will eventually dry out and separate from the wood allowing water to get down in behind, and it will not be able to dry out fast enough, if ever, and start log rot. Those checks are the logs way to breath. The exception to this is if they are running into a door or window and are allowing water or wind to get into the interior of the home