How To Look After A Wooden Log Cabin

For your garden log cabin to enjoy a prolonged lifespan, it is essential that you maintain it properly. Below, we look at a few things to focus on.

The Main Areas

• Treat the cabin as soon as it is assembled.

• Be sure to choose the right treatment.

• Ensure that you re-apply treatment as necessary.

• Look out for any leaks or rain damage.

• Take the necessary measures to control moisture around and in the cabin.

• Ensure that the cabin can settle properly.

• Make sure your cabin is always secure.

Treatments

Wooden garden log cabins may be supplied untreated so that you can finish and decorate it according to your preferences. If this is the case, treat your cabin as soon as possible and continue to do so on a regular basis to strengthen it against the weather conditions.

Use masking tape to protect the glass and hinges of the cabin, and ground sheets to protect the flooring. When you apply the treatment, start at the top of the walls and do one wall at a time, waiting for each to dry before giving them a second coat. Once the treatment dries, you can remove the sheets and masking tape.

When to Reapply Treatment

To determine if it is time to re-apply treatment, you can spray some water onto the cabin’s exterior. If the water forms beads and rolls down the surface of the exterior without seeping into the wood, the treatment is okay for another year or so. However, if the water does soak into the wood, you should reapply a fresh coat of treatment. Don’t forget to check the ends and corners of the logs, too.

Watch Out for Leaks and Rain Damage

When you are cleaning your cabin, take note where the dirt splatters or where rain spots build up on walls, so that you can keep an eye out for damage. This is important for identifying areas that could need waterproofing with silicone.

Controlling Moisture

Creating an environment in the cabin that encourages moisture control is critical. Make sure you take care of the foundations, roof, and surrounding drainage.

Your cabin will get wet when it rains, so be sure to position it so that wet trees don’t drip onto the roof. Also ensure that the roof of the cabin has wide eaves as this will prevent snow or rain coming into unrestricted contact with the cabin’s outside walls. If you want to add shingles to the roof, they usually come with a waterproof and durable plastic membrane which offers additional protection.

You should also ensure that you don’t set the cabin right on the ground as it will encourage water to seep in. Make sure the foundations are well insulated so that the earth around the structure is not too close to the base.

To aid drainage, place the cabin at the highest point of the garden or with the base elevated about two inches from the foundation to reduce rain splashing onto the logs. You should also use a gutter to direct the water away from the cabin and keep it clean so that the flow of water is not disrupted.

Take note of these points to maintain your cabin and enjoy years of use.