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- Follow these
simple guidelines to maintain the beauty
- of your log
home year after year.
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- When YOUR log home dream becomes
reality, it is important for you, the homeowner, to begin
an easy on-site care and maintenance program. Optimal maintenance
treatments should give your home protection from moisture, ultraviolet
radiation (sunlight) and water intrusion.
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- Here's why...
- Unfinished wood in conventional
frame houses and wood exposed to weather conditions is subject
to rapid deterioration. Pre-weathering for as little as two weeks
has been shown to damage the structural strength of the wood
and adhesion performance of wood protecting finishes! DON'T PROCRASTINATE.
Start a maintenance program for your log home today!
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- Periodic
Inspections Are Important
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- The homeowner can do much in
wood care and maintenance, particularly in sustaining proper
water drainage and treating wood regularly. The following are
some inspection items to consider during construction and after
your home has been completed.
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- Grading
- Proper grading should be done
during construction to avoid expense later. Finish grade should
never come in contact with wood.
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- Termites
- Soil treatment, if required
in your location, should be performed by a certified applicator.
For wood, use a treatment that contains an insecticide.
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- Roof Overhangs
- Protect log walls from excessive
water and sun exposure by diverting rain water with roof overhangs
of at least 18" to 24" and projected side eaves. Use
Organiclear™ TM-5 or WR-Series protective wood coatings.
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- Gutters And Downspouts
- Inspect and clean gutters and
downspouts regularly to avoid water back-up.
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- Caulking
- Inspect caulking around windows,
doors, etc. Repair or replace as required.
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- Chimneys
- Thorough chimney inspections
and cleaning should be made prior to the start of each heating
season.
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- Humidity
- Heating systems can draw great
amounts of moisture out of logs. A humidifier will keep moisture
at comfortable levels and help reduce log checking.
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- Porches And Decks
- They should be designed to shed
excess water. Slope decks away from foundation to discard water.
Organiclear™ WDS should be applied to all porch materials.
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- Checking And Splitting
- Soak all exterior checks with
a water repellent wood coating system such as Organiclear™
WR-5 to protect against water damage. Exterior checks facing
upward should be filled with an exterior wood filler. Interior
log walls should be coated with Organiclear™ IWF to minimize
checking, splitting and splintering.
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- LOG HOME
FINISHES AND COATINGS
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- The best protection against
wood rot and decay for ALL LOG HOMES is to keep the log walls
dry. Apply a premium quality water-repellent wood coating that
"breathes." (Don't use a film-building finish such
as latex paint which can crack and peel in a few years and won't
allow wood to breathe). The best way to protect and maintain
your log home for years of enjoyment is with the Organiclear™
family of premium wood coatings and finishes.
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- SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
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- Upon Delivery To One Month
After Construction...
- We recommend treating all wood
surfaces; top and bottom, sides and log ends.
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- Interiors: Apply
an oil-based interior treatment such as the Organiclear™
IWF before finish floors (carpet, vinyl, etc.) are applied. Do
not use a varnish that will trap moisture under the surface and
crack, peel or blister.
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- Wood Decks: Use
an exterior water-repellent wood finish which has the ability
to reduce splitting and warping. We suggest Organiclear™
WDS for dimensional stability of pressure-treated lumber, cedar
and redwood. For other woods, we recommend WR-5. Apply when wood
is thoroughly dry and follow label directions carefully.
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- One Year Later...
- Inspect the home for changes
due to the natural settling and seasoning processes. Apply a
clear penetrating wood finish or stain
with water repellency protections. We recommend Organiclear™
WR-Series.
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- Every Three To Five Years
- Many factors can influence the
life expectancy of a wood treatment system. Based on regular
inspection, repeat maintenance is usually on a 3-5 year cycle
(or as needed) for the exterior and interior log walls and wood
decks.
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- The best way to protect and
maintain your log home is with Organiclear™ premium wood
coatings and finishes from Knight Chemicals.
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