How should I go about making sure that I get started right when it comes to maintenance?  How critical is it to begin proper maintenance when the home is new? 

Research

Do your research in finding the right system. We provide a robust library of Tech Tips that provides information you need to take care of your log and timber home. New homes should not have issues, and we recommend homeowners perform inspections of their home to find any small issues and fix those now, before they become big issues. 

When it comes to using elastomeric sealants, considering the potential movement of your wood is almost always a smart move. Some important factors to consider that impact wood movement are moisture content, species type, type of cut (flat tangential cut or quarter sawn radial cut) and local environmental conditions.  Not taking these into account has the potential to lead to costly repairs in the future.

There is no secret in retaining the beauty of your log home. A little care and maintenance along with the use of quality products designed specifically for log homes will keep your home looking great for generations to come.

CARING FOR YOUR DREAM HOME

The proper application of preservatives, stains and finishes is equally important as the prep work to the wood.

NEW LOG HOMES

  STEP 1 -  SURFACE PREP

With this in mind we have decided that the ONLY cleaning products approved for use with our finishes are those products supplied or recommended by Perma-Chink Systems, Inc.

1. If the wood has not grayed, wash the surface with Log Wash™ solution and a pressure washer no more than seven (7) days prior to staining. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry.
2. If you are finishing Western Red Cedar, Redwood, Walnut or Mahogany, use Cedar Wash™, a ready-to-use cleaner, instead of Log Wash for better surface preparation and finish longevity on these specific wood substrates.
3. If there are signs of grayed wood, use Wood ReNew according to the label along with a pressure washer. Rinse well and allow wood surface to dry before staining.
4. If after washing there are still dark streaks or discolorations, use a solution of Oxcon™ on the entire wall. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry before staining.

Resources: 

Download Cleaning Guide in pdf

Watch Videos

Cleaning Tech Tips

View All Wood Cleaning Products here

  STEP 2 -  PRESERVE

Special purpose preservatives to protect against termites, insects, wood rot, mold and mildew.

Resources: 

Read More About Borates

Watch Videos

Wood Preservatives Tech Tips

View All Wood Preservatives Products here

  STEP 3 -  STAIN and FINISH

 Finishes to protect and bring the beauty of your exterior and interior walls, decks and floors. 

Resources: 

Stains and Finishes Application Guide

Watch Videos

Staining and Finishing Tech Tips

View All Stain and Finishes Products here

  STEP 4 - SEAL and CHINK

Flexible sealants for every weather-proofing job around your chinked or chinkless style log home.

Resources: 

Sealants Application Guide

Watch Videos

Sealing and Chinking Tech Tips

View All Sealants and Chinking Products here

MAINTENANCE for EXISTING LOG HOMES

Check for weathering patterns that can include:

1. Fading of the finish.

To test your finish or stain, use a spray bottle to mist the logs with water. If the water beads up and runs off like a freshly waxed care, then it’s doing it’s job. If logs soak up water, then you’ll need another application of finish.

2. Water staining on exposed log ends.

If you have exposed timbers on the underside of your eaves that extend flush with the overhang or protrude past it, the ends of these logs are susceptible to rot. Treat with Shell-Guard then sand and seal with Log End Seal.

3. Water staining on exposed walls.

Check flashing around the windows to ensure that all water is being channeled out and down the exterior walls. Water stains of the logs or drafts around the windows or doors indicate that air and water is infiltrating your home. The right sealant is the solution for this problem.

Download Inspection Checklist here

Log and Timber Home Maintenance in Details here

Log Homes with an Existing Finish That is Still in Good Condition

If a maintenance coat of Lifeline stain or topcoat is going to be applied over an existing Lifeline finish, wash the coating surface with Log Wash solution no more than seven (7) days prior to staining. Rinse well and allow the wood to dry, then apply a fresh coat of stain or finish.

Still have questions, call us 1-800-548-3554 or chat with us on permachink.com

Need a Contractor?

Check for Log Home Contractors Near You 

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Dear Terry,

I cannot thank you enough for your support with my staining challenge! You clearly went above and beyond to resolve my issue, and I truly appreciate it!

As first time users of your stain for our new log home build, we love the Perma Chink Systems line of products and will be loyal customers! Stain colors as advertised and displayed in your samples, and the customer service, such as yourself, as well as the speedy arrival of our products is why you have such a solid reputation!

Perma-Chink is a really good company and I’ve been happy with your company. I found you when we used to have a log home. I’ve always purchased wood products from you on every house we have moved to, log or not. Thanks again for the great customer service!   

Sarah R., Joplin, MO

I would like to express my extreme satisfaction with my customer service experience at Perma-Chink. My service representatives, Joanne and Stephanie, were very helpful, polite and professional and worked hard to resolve my issue. 

I have used Perma-Chink for all my staining needs and with a log home there are many! Their representatives are knowledgeable and know well the products they sell and guide their customers to what they need and explain how to use them. 

When my home needs to be re-stained in a couple years, I will, without hesitation, purchase stain and Log Wash, brushes, etc., from them again. 

Thank you so much all! 

Nancy K.

Perma-Chink Systems® newest finish option, Log & Timber Defense™, has been quite the success for customers looking for a hybrid finish for their log homes. Unlike our traditional Lifeline film-forming wood finishes, Log & Timber Defense penetrates your wood. As it absorbs into the wood surface, it forms a strong lattice network within the wood, reinforcing and strengthening the entire system from the inside out. Due to its elastomeric nature and penetration, it greatly reduces the chances of peeling and flaking by leaving the system breathable to water vapor. Many penetrating oil-based finishes can also form a lattice-like network, but unfortunately these finishes contain harmful flammable solvents that make working with them both dangerous for you and our environment. In contrast, our Log & Timber Defense is water-based, making it both easier and safer to work with.

Being green isn't being the color green - although we make a family of bold colors like this green finish in the picture above. Our standard and custom colors aside, being "green" is how our products are produced to be safe for the environment.

We know that in today’s environment being “green” is considered an important factor in the decision process of many of our customers. Being “green” - environmentally friendly - is one reason why log homes are so popular. But what about the finishes used on log homes, can they be “green” as well? The answer depends on the criteria used to define “green.”