the ultimate guide to caring for your log home

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Owning a log home is a dream for many — a warm, natural retreat surrounded by the peace of the woods. But maintaining that beauty and strength requires a bit of knowledge, care, and consistency.

At DeepWoods Log Home Services, we’ve restored and maintained hundreds of cabins and timber homes across Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee. We’ve seen every type of log home challenge — from sun damage and mold to bees, rot, and weathered decks — and we’ve learned what truly works to protect your home for the long run.

This guide will walk you through how to properly maintain your log home, how often to perform maintenance, and what signs to look for before small issues become expensive repairs.

Log homes are unique structures. Unlike vinyl or brick homes, the wood itself is your exterior — the very surface that shields your home from the elements. That means every season, your logs expand, contract, and breathe with the weather.

The same qualities that make log homes beautiful also make them susceptible to UV damage, moisture intrusion, insect infestation, and rot. Regular care isn’t just about appearance — it’s about protecting your investment and preserving your home’s structural integrity for decades.

Whether your log home is newly built or 30 years old, proper care involves four essential maintenance pillars:

Dirt, pollen, mildew, and insects can accumulate on log surfaces, breaking down stain and sealant faster. We recommend gentle pressure washing or soft washing once a year — ideally in spring or early summer — to remove buildup before it can do damage.

💡 Pro Tip: Never use harsh chemicals or high-pressure water directly on your logs. Our team uses specialized, eco-friendly solutions and calibrated equipment to clean without stripping away your protective coatings.

Walk around your home at least twice a year and after major storms. Look for:

• Graying or faded stain
• Cracks (checks) that collect water
• Gaps in chinking or caulking
• Signs of insect activity (holes, sawdust, bee buzzing)
• Soft, spongy, or darkened wood

Catching these early allows for quick spot-treatments before repairs become extensive.

🕵️ DeepWoods Tip: Pay special attention to the south and west sides of your home — they take the hardest hit from UV rays.

A log home’s stain isn’t just for looks — it’s your first line of defense. A quality, breathable stain protects against sun, rain, and rot while allowing moisture to escape naturally.

Most homes need a fresh coat every 3–5 years, depending on exposure. If you wait too long, the protective barrier weakens, and restoration becomes a much larger project involving blasting or stripping.

At Deep Woods, we use only premium log home finishes from trusted brands like Perma-Chink, Sashco, and Sherwin-Williams — ensuring deep penetration, strong UV resistance, and natural color that enhances your home’s character.

Carpenter bees, woodpeckers, termites, and water damage are among a log home’s worst enemies.

• Fill bee holes and cracks immediately to prevent nesting.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear so water doesn’t splash onto lower logs.
• Maintain proper drainage and vegetation around the base of your home.
• Apply borate preservatives to protect against fungi and insects.

🐝 Quick Fix: DeepWoods offers bee and woodpecker hole repair, including treatment and refinishing to match your existing stain — preventing further damage and restoring your home’s appearance.

To keep your log home healthy year-round, follow this seasonal maintenance routine:

• Wash exterior logs with mild cleaner
• Inspect for fading stain, cracks, and soft spots
• Clean and reseal decks and railings
• Check for signs of carpenter bees and apply deterrents

• Touch up stain on high-sun areas
• Apply fresh sealant if water no longer beads on logs
• Trim vegetation away from walls and foundation

• Inspect and caulk around windows, doors, and joints
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Check roof flashing and chimney seals

• Watch for moisture accumulation or interior condensation
• Check heating systems for proper humidity balance
• Inspect attic and crawl spaces for pests

Staying consistent with this routine keeps small problems from becoming expensive repairs.

Even the most well-built log homes face challenges over time. Sun, moisture, insects, and temperature changes all take their toll. Here are some of the most common issues we see — and how DeepWoods solves them.

Fading or Gray Logs:
When your logs lose their rich color and turn gray, it’s usually due to UV damage and weather exposure breaking down the surface fibers and stain. We restore the wood’s natural tone by cleaning, conditioning, and applying a breathable, UV-resistant finish that enhances beauty while protecting against future fading.

Soft or Spongy Wood:
If logs feel soft under pressure, moisture has likely penetrated the wood, causing rot or decay. Our team carefully removes and replaces compromised sections, applies borate preservatives to stop further damage, and reseals the area to prevent future water infiltration.

Bee or Woodpecker Holes:
Small, round holes often indicate nesting from carpenter bees or damage caused by woodpeckers. We repair these imperfections by filling and refinishing affected areas, restoring a smooth, uniform surface that blends seamlessly with your existing finish — while also helping deter future activity.

Drafts or Water Leaks:
If you notice cold air or moisture entering between your logs, your chinking or caulking may be failing. Deep Woods uses high-performance, flexible sealants that move naturally with your home’s logs, keeping your structure airtight and watertight through every season.

Mold or Mildew Growth:
Dark spots or musty odors are signs of trapped moisture and limited airflow. We address this by cleaning and treating the affected wood, improving ventilation where needed, and recoating the surface with a breathable, mold-resistant finish that allows the logs to dry properly.

Beyond preservation, maintenance is also about pride. Staining and refinishing not only protect your home but also revive its natural warmth and color, enhancing curb appeal and property value.

Our experienced team at DeepWoods understands that every log home is unique — from rustic pioneer cabins to luxury timber-frame estates. We tailor every service to your home’s age, exposure, and wood type, ensuring protection that looks as good as it performs.

We’re not just another contractor — we’re log home specialists dedicated to the craft of preservation. Our technicians are trained in log home systems, sealants, and finishes that last through mountain sun, southern humidity, and everything in between.

Homeowners choose DeepWoods because we offer:

• Decades of combined experience in log home restoration
• Eco-friendly products safe for your family and property
• Local expertise in the climates of NC, SC, and TN
• Long-term maintenance plans to keep your home looking beautiful year after year

Your log home deserves the same care and craftsmanship that went into building it.
Let DeepWoods Log Home Services help you protect your investment — and the memories it holds — for generations to come.

👉  Request a Free Estimate today to schedule your personalized inspection and maintenance plan.