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Swansea, IL
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Wyckoff, NJ
Posts: 433
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 Log Home
[#2] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 12:41:04 PM |  |  |
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My E&O insurance wont even cover log homes. Biggest problem is unseen wood destroying insect infestation. They get into the center of the logs and signs of them can't be seen. WDI is a huge issue.
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We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them
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Oswego, NY
Posts: 1737
Joined: May, 2008
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Log Home
[#3] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 1:40:30 PM | | |
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Bugs, water, and never ending scary noises from the amount of movement because of the difference between the conditions outside and the inside.
From what I've read, it's almost impossible to control an even moisture content from log to log during the manufacturing process.
Did one this past winter that had every wrong thing my homework warned me of. Including but not limited to, major league checks in the logs on the south side, Two upper windows that were rotted to where one of the sashes dropped to the ground when I opened them, Water leaking from between the logs both inside and out, and a number of other things I'm sure you'll read about if you find the same articles I found.
They sure are cool looking POS though, aren't they?
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I'm Gary Blum and I approve this message
www.gtbinspectionservices.com |
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Samantha, AL
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Crystal Lake, IL
Posts: 1174
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Log Home
[#5] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 3:06:43 PM | | |
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Know that there are *real* log homes, and *semi-log* homes. . .
Aside from WDI, rot is a major issue. One should use a rubber hammer to bonk the logs where water might wick-into them; ends, joints, crevices and the like. A bonk-sound on rotted wood is quite distinctive from a bonk-sound on solid wood.
And that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Oops, wait, one other thing; roof flashings. Flashing a roof plane to a log surface can be interesting at best, and even truly comical in many cases. If it looks out-of-sorts, it probably is.
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Victoria, British Columbia
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Log Home
[#6] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 4:44:11 PM | | |
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Exterior:
Look for some kind of protective finish. The round logs are all exposed sapwood.
Probe the exposed log ends and the corners.
The bottom logs- half of the bottom logs are round, the other half are half-round.
The logs should be sitting on concrete perimeter walls. How is the main subfloor attached?
Interior:
Check all doors and windows for settlement problems. There should be headers that will slide upwards into slots.
Check the funky ways they've concealed wiring and plumbing.
Look for logs that are being squeezed out from the wall. This means there are no steel reinforcement. If they've drilled down through the logs and pinned them, the logs will stay in place.
Check the log gable ends for drafty cracks at the vaulted ceilings. And good luck with it.
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Nazareth, PA
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Joined: Apr, 2002
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Log Home
[#7] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 5:51:44 PM | | |
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I had stopped doing log homes for a number of years because I wasn't insured for it. I'm now covered since moving to a new insurance company last year. I've done exactly one since then. Before I did that first one in 8 or so years, I went online looking to brush up on what to look for.
One thing that helped me was this: http://www.nachi.org/loghomes.htm
There is also a free log home inspection course, but because of personal antipathy, I couldn't bring myself to register and take it. http://www.nachi.org/loghomeco...2008.htm
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Joe Hancaviz
Nazareth, PA |
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Ashland, VA
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Log Home
[#8] Posted: 04/18/2011 - 7:20:03 PM | | |
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| Quote: Originally posted by John Kogel
Exterior:
Look for some kind of protective finish. The round logs are all exposed sapwood.
Probe the exposed log ends and the corners.
The bottom logs- half of the bottom logs are round, the other half are half-round.
The logs should be sitting on concrete perimeter walls. How is the main subfloor attached?
Interior:
Check all doors and windows for settlement problems. There should be headers that will slide upwards into slots.
Check the funky ways they've concealed wiring and plumbing.
Look for logs that are being squeezed out from the wall. This means there are no steel reinforcement. If they've drilled down through the logs and pinned them, the logs will stay in place.
Check the log gable ends for drafty cracks at the vaulted ceilings. And good luck with it.
What he said.
I lived in a 100+ year old log home, up in the mountains, for several years - no heat but wood stoves. Each log was about 10" - 12 " tall and about 8" thick. Logs didn't rest one upon another. There was about a 4" gap between logs filled with stone and mud chinking, which was falling out. Over the course of two years, I re-chinked the whole thing. It was tedious work.
It had traditional three coat stucco over it - not my idea. But, I was a renter at the time and paid for several months of my rent by removing and re-installing the stucco, which was also falling apart. At the farmer's request, I installed something very similar to e-shield (but this was in the early 80's) under the stucco, which made one heck of a difference in how easy it was to heat the place. I was amazed.
Log cabins really aren't that hard to inspect. It just takes common sense, and John pretty much covered all the bases. It's a big set of Lincoln Logs. We've all played with 'em...
I've never run across one that had severe wood boring insect damage. I did inspect one that was getting TORN UP by carpenter bees. They're always fun to be around - especially when you're walking the roof. 
You'll do fine - In fact, you'll go from not inspecting them, to being the guy in the area that does inspect them. 
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| "This above all: to thine own self be true." - William Shakespeare |
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Swansea, IL
Posts: 1352
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Log Home
[#9] Posted: 04/19/2011 - 05:00:45 AM | | |
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Thank You Gentelmen! Great Information and I appreciate the time you took in responding. The log home is Friday.
Now if I could only get ya'll to met me at todays inspection we could have a class. The orginal part was built in 1803 with numerous additions dating up till 1976. It is 5400 sq ft finished with at least 2 crawlspaces and a basement. It is being sold "as is" needs lots of work and is bank owned. I will be there all day and I do mean all day.
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Mark A. Perry
www.ahis1.com
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Collins, NY
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Log Home
[#10] Posted: 04/19/2011 - 05:21:29 AM | | |
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That's a crappy pic, but that place is machined logs (think really big lincoln logs) not the rolled up logs like John described. Look at the tails to see how they're joined (T&G, double T&G, splines) to gauge what to expect for air infiltration. Ignore the checking, it doesn't matter. Jerry nailed it re the flashing.
The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is how the builder accommodated for shrinkage. Log walls settle a lot, there has to be a method to adjust interior load points and a system to insure that partitions don't become unintended load paths. You will see obvious signs of movement if the builder botched this. Google log home kits to get an idea of how the manufacturers deal with shrinkage. If you can ID the producer of that kit, even better.
Lastly, since many log homes are sold as kits or packages, many of them are owner built. Be on the look out for all things DIY.
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Tom
http://clearcreekhomeinspection.com/
Life is tough enough as it is, it's tougher when your stupid. Don't do stupid things.
Dr Joe Lstiburek |
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Ashland, VA
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Log Home
[#11] Posted: 04/19/2011 - 05:28:33 AM | | |
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I actually did a home recently that was 2 x 4 construction with log siding nailed onto it. That was a surprise.
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Spring Hill (Nashville area), Tennessee
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Log Home
[#12] Posted: 04/19/2011 - 07:28:06 AM | | |
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Quote: Originally posted by Mark PI’ve taken a job to inspect a log home, or at least the systems within the log home that I know. I’ve always turned down log homes in the past because I admittedly don’t know much about them. When my client called I told him I don’t inspect them and why I don’t inspect them. After some conversation he still wanted me to inspect what I could: roof, plumbing, electrical, etc… So I agreed and will even add to my PIA that I know squat about the construction of log homes… However, I want to do right by my client and learn what I can before this Friday. Any know common problems with this type of construction. What should I be on the lookout for; good sources of info. http://www.zillow.com/homedeta...11_zpid/Thanks
I put this little checklist together several years back. It is what I use as a guide and also what I give the buyer or new owner along with the inspection for them to reference once I'm gone. It helps them to understand the home better. A good amount of the information came from a log home company that went out of business back in the late 1990's. I was able to obtain some of their notes and files when I was asked to inspect their old headquarters for a new owner. The new owner helped me load 5 banker boxes of paper into my truck just to get rid of it. I found a great amount of information on log homes in all of that "trash"!
Feel free to use it and change anything on it.
Download Attachment:  Log Home checklist.pdf
31.73 KB
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Scott Patterson
http://www.traceinspections.com
"Minds are like parachutes they only function when open"
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West Jordan, UT
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Log Home
[#13] Posted: 07/27/2011 - 11:26:59 AM | | |
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I would say that bug infestation in unseen wood is probably the most common problem when inspecting log cabins. Good luck on your inspection!
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Lakewood, WA
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Log Home
[#14] Posted: 07/27/2011 - 11:52:23 AM | | |
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Right on time with your post!
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Rob Jones
South Sound Inspections
Seattle Home Inspection
"If you work just for money, you'll never make it, but if you love what you're doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours."
Ray Kroc |
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LOG HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST.doc
