Log Home-Half log 1970-Inspecting
I recently inspected this half-log home with a lot of problems…What do ya think?
Loking at the old casement duo-pane windows, I’m thinking it’s built around 1970.
The logs are cut on three sides to aproximately 6”x 6” width resting on the foundation wall. The interior has been finished with 2x4 stud walls. The exterior second floor is wood plank and ply sided.
The log (and exterior) condition is poor with a few soft spots and one “Local Rot” location, including the sill rot. There is a lot of void between the logs and any filler used appears to be fiberglass and expanding foam. At this point, I’m thinking that the sheathing and weatherproof membrane are doin’ all the work behind the faux logs…and recommendations are to repair localized rot and monitor…
Other problems with the exterior are: No flashing above/around windows, no flashing beneath exterior plywood (t-111). Caulk used above bay window roof/wall, etc…
Going inside, I see that there are many water stains. Realtor reminds me of the new roof…
Here’s the thing…In the area of the “Local Rot” (and beetle holes), there are the two main electric panels…around the panels is opening enough to see the log wall from behind. Now I see that the logs are stacked outside the stud walls with an inch or two between them. In this section there’s no weather barrier. The only thing resembling a weather barrier is the urethane sheet backing the insulation between the studs. The insulation has a vapor barrier on the house side.
So now I’m looking at a half log wall with a lot of voids and no moisture barrier and no sheathing. More rot is evident on the log interior here…Of course, I can only see a small sample. It’s a moisture, varmint highway! Q? Has anyone assembled/gutted this old veriety of log home? It appears to me that one must have gutted the house (newer interior finishes) and torn out old damaged felt/barrier and not replaced it…or, they relied on the 6” logs to do the weatherproofing here. Recommendations to seal exterior? Or rebuild the exterior? I passed it on for ‘further evaluation’ spelling out all the shoutcommings “visible”.
Bill O
