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Got Rot? Knock Rot Out of the Park with M-Balm and E-Wood

What can you fit inside a log?A hollowed out piece of timber on your home might make a convenient storage space for sports equipment or toys, but it's a problem. Before you panic and list your home up on Zillow or Redfin, let's take a look at the situation.

How much decay have you found?

If it's not halfway deep through the log, or less than a couple of feet lengthwise, odds are it can be repaired easily. M-Balm and E-Wood from Perma-Chink Systems are specially formulated epoxies designed to repair decay and soft spots in homes.

The biggest threat to log homes is decay damage, caused by moisture-loving fungi. The three basic categories of wood-destroying fungi are soft rot, brown rot, and white rot. Preventing rot begins with eliminating as much contact as possible with moisture, which breeds fungi. The best prevention is using borate preservatives, which destroy wood fungi and protect against decay.

If you do discover decay in your logs during inspections, it can most likely be mitigated and eliminated without the need for a costly log replacement. If the decay does not exceed more than half the depth of the log, or only a few feet lengthwise, use M-Balm and E-Wood. 

E-Wood epoxy after hardening can be cut, sanded, and finished like real wood.

E-Wood and M-BalmJeff Kyger of Northwest Log Home Care showed us a decay issue and the resolution utilizing M-Balm and E-Wood to repair the log. While it is a handy storage space for sports equipment, the decay could have progressed deep in the wood and compromised the home. Jeff was able to repair the log decay damage with two products.

Filling the space with material and E-WoodFinish filling the void with material and E-WoodRestored log end

The first step in repair is to clean out the decay and get the log dry.

We recommend applying Shell-Guard RTU to the cleaned area to eliminate any decay fungi and prevent future infestation. Once the decay cavity has dried, coat the exposed wood with M-Balm to bond loose fibers and create a solid bonding area for the filler agent. M-Balm epoxy liquid penetrates deeply into porous wood, curing and hardening into a strong water-resistant mass that included the original wood fibers and the epoxy mixture.

E-Wood epoxy can be stained with Lifeline stains during mixing or after application to match your log home color.

For small voids use E-Wood Paste. E-Wood paste epoxy works excellent on window trims, small checks on log ends and other places where putty may be difficult to apply.

Regularly inspect your home for rot and stop it from spreading and causing an expensive repair. With Perma-Chink System’s wood restoration products M-Balm and E-Wood, decay can be repaired and your home restored to like-new condition.

Check out our tech tip on repairing large voids, and other Tech Tips for more in-depth instructions on maintaining and repairing your log home. 

Call 1-800-548-3554 for orders. 

Last modified on Friday, 14 July 2023 21:40
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