I would like to thank the writers of this log home inspection course. The discussion on what to look for during the inspection and language that can and could be used in the report writing process will be most helpful. Likewise, as stated in a previous student post, I was disappointed to not find a report template for log homes. I hope that this may, sometime soon, be shared by someone who does a number of log home inspections each year.
The information found in “Log Home Basics” I think it will be a great tool to use with clients in setting expectations.
Thank you again.
Dean Madsen
J-Pro Inspects
Salt Lake City, Utah
I would like to thank the writers of this log home inspection course. The discussion on what to look for during the inspection and language that can and could be used in the report writing process will be most helpful. Likewise, as stated in a previous student post, I was disappointed to not find a report template for log homes. I hope that this may, sometime soon, be shared by someone who does a number of log home inspections each year.
The information found in “Log Home Basics” I think it will be a great tool to use with clients in setting expectations.
Thank you again.
Dean Madsen
J-Pro Inspects
Salt Lake City, Utah
This is a bay window that was later added to the house. The bay window was improperly insulated and as a result there was allot of condensation from the heating vents.
Significant decay and moisture was observed on the sill log and corner of this old log cabin. The sill log is sitting directly on the ground, there is no chinking, and rot has progressed through most of the lower courses of logs, causing separation of logs where they have collapsed. The logs will need to be repaired or replaced, and chinking and foundation installed by a licensed log home specialist.
Inspecting Log Homes
Woodpecker Damage Prevention and Inspection
Essay:
Woodpeckers do not eat wood, but cause extensive damage to homes, especially in wooded areas. Since woodpeckers are protected, and some species are on the endangered species list, it is illegal to kill them without Fish and Wildlife Dept permission. The best means of deterring woodpeckers include: to paint rather than stain wood, to use non-wood siding, to leave dead branches that pose no structural or safety issues in place to provide a habitat, to cover holes with shiny metal, and to place netting over their infestation area to keep them away from wood siding.
Where would I even find a picture of a log home? In my area it is not a common building method, and I will not be inspecting log homes. The reality is log home building is too specialized to be inspected by a regular inspector. I have read up on and studied log homes for years. There are hundreds of different methods, depending on what region and traditions were passed down. Even after so many years of being fascinated with them and reading countless books I would not inspect a log home.
I read “Log home Basics” as my first article. It discusses the many factors important in constructing a log home.mthings to consider are foundation type, species of wood, type of style and cut, and the finish that will be applied. Even though most homes today are first prebuilt off site and with the help of machinery, a skilled builder and assembler is very important.
The second article is “understanding r values” . There is a difference in importance for R values for log homes compared to traditional homes. While traditional homes may have greater R values due to insulation, a log mass will absorb heat from the sun, and be cool in the summer.
The HIP template (and the HG and Word templates) of the InterNACHI Narrative Libraryhas a comprehensive log home section. I wrote both the InterNACHI log home course and the library, so the narratives are very relevant and accurate.
Based on a review of ‘Wood decay’, by Gromicko/Shepard & ‘Mold, Moisture and Your Home’, submitted as assignment for ‘Log Home Inspection’ course.
One concept that becomes clear when speaking of wood decay is the symbiosis between the onset of such decay and wood-destroying insects.
As wood decay begins, it creates favorable conditions for wood destroying insects who might not find egress into a home otherwise.
The decay-softened wood invites such insects who, as part of their life cycle consume both decayed and sound wood and in turn may open up further areas of a wood structure or structural member to intrusion by wood-decaying fungi.
It is, of course, beyond the scope of a normal inspection to speculate on which condition came first, as fascinating as ‘chicken or egg’ arguments can sometimes be.
Whereas mold in the interior of a home is never desirable and should be mediated via moisture control, mold on the exterior of a home is mostly unavoidable due to the constant presence of fungal spores in the surrounding atmosphere.
There is, however a marked difference between mold as found on an exterior surface and wood decaying fungi, in spite of their general biological similarity.
The prime difference is found in excessive moisture levels - surface mold growth on wood needs relatively little moisture and thus is a superficial issue, generally not affecting strength or long term durability - but a higher moisture content above the fiber saturation point that provides a fertile toehold for fungal growth can quickly lead to wood rot if untreated.
On this inspection of a log home in Dresser, WI. the components I picked are the front steps and stair railings and also deck rails. As I was inspecting these components I saw that the railings on both the porch and front stair rails were below 36 inches and the balusters were farther then 4 inches apart. There were no safety graspable stair railings running along the log rail and because the log rail is too large to wrap your hand around,a smaller railing is needed. I also found wood rot at the bottom of stair posts and on the bottom of the stairs which both were in contact with soil. I marked all these in my inspection report to client.
Some insects don’t eat wood but excavate galleries in which they live or house their larvae during the incubation period.
There are many types of fungi- including those that decay wood- and both are everywhere. Splashback from rain bouncing off the ground will deposit both types onto lower logs where those that cause discoloration and those that decay wood will both become active at about 20% moisture content. Colonies will begin to expand and release spores at about 27%.
The fiber saturation point has more to do with when logs begin to lose bound water than it does with fungal activity.
Today most new homes have AFCI outlets in there bedrooms and maybe in other rooms of the house also as code dictates. These outlets and there branch wiring should be tested to see if they are properly operating the AFCI breaker in the panel box and if the outlet are not arcing. To do this a AFCI indicator tester should be used, which will sent out a wave form patterns which will trip a properly operating AFCI breaker. This tester will also be able to tell the inspector which outlets maybe arcing and if they need to be replaced.
Radon gas is a long standing problem which we are now starting to understand these causes and bad affects. radon is a invisible, tasteless and odorless gas which forms from decaying uranium in rock formations below the surface layers of the earth. These gases enter the house in many ways, some through cracks in the foundation, some through the cracks in the floor, some through sump systems and wells to name a few.
Radon cause’s cancer in humans and if you smoke and have high radon levels your more likely to get cancer. Every home should be tested for radon ether by a qualified home inspector or a certified radon mitigation company. You may also do it yourself, but follow the instructions carefully. A radon test when returned from the lab should show below EPA’s action level of 4 pCi/L. If the test is 4 pCi/L or higher, action should be taken to mitigate the problem by certified or licensed radon mitigation company.
No access to a log home in my area but can comment on this exterior deck framing. Inspected the framing for beam sag and found none present. Joist hangers were used and the support posts were 6x6. The ledger lacks flashing but the deck membrane above is affixed well to the home and had a drip edge flashing. The deck cantilevers out for a staircase landing. The cantilever is not more that 1/4 the span of the joists so is in good practice.
The R value of logs is approximately R1 - R1.5 per inch. Versus R3 - R4 for typical insulation. The thermal mass of wood aids in the heating and cooling properties of the logs but the home location and climate can change this affect. The inspector is not required to:
•inspect or predict the condition of the interiors of logs.
•predict the life expectancy of logs.
•climb onto log walls. However, the inspector may inspect log walls by use of a ladder, if this procedure may be done safely and without damaging the walls.
•inspect components of the porch support system, or of the plumbing or heating systems, that are not readily visible and accessible.
Foundation, air leakage and log condition are all important factors in the inspection.
