Repair Chinking & Treat Logs
October 2024 - The Chinking & Log Restoration project is officially done!! Our log guy did an excellent job and we have completed our usual detailed touch-up work. This chinking should last several more generations, especially if we keep the logs treated as needed. We're very happy with the Sashco products we used: Sashco Brown Tone Medium stain, Tan Log Jam chinking and Grizzly Brown Conceal caulking to fill any major cracks. For a nearly 90 year old Cabin, this one looks
As of late October 2023, Keith & Carol completed 43% of the chinking and 36% of the prep & stain work. We had a lot of fun with it - and saved the cabin fund about $5k - but it is very grueling work and we reached our limit. We have lined up a log guy from Exeter to finish up. For a bunch of detail see Log Project
May 2023 - Keith did retire! in Nov 2022. We're finally ready to roll on deferred maintenance projects. But after years of advising USFS that we plan to treat our logs, with no comment on their part, a new admin team now requires a formal application for any exterior work. We filed & now our projects await approval. Assuming FS doesn't want to throw a monkey wrench into things, we hope to start the Log & Chinking project in July. Wish us luck! We plan to use Sashco Brown Tone Medium stain (middle sample log in the pic to the left) with Buff Log Jam chinking. Material cost is likely now about $5000.
Update April 2022 - Keith's retirement keeps getting pushed out but we still hope to work on the logs this year. Next trip, we will bring some logs home to apply color samples - will share soon. Ellen & Emmilou & I all like Brown Tone Medium with Buff Chinking. Your opinion is welcome.
Update February 2022 - At long last, this project is bubbling to the top. After Keith retires in the next few months, he & Carol will plan and execute the chinking project! It is currently being reviewed by our new USFS rep. If you are interested in any aspect of the project, please chime in!
Update 3/29/19 - Highest Priority! - This job is long past due but we had to finish other projects first. I have consulted with local log specialists and with Sashco directly and have gathered enough information to recommend Sashco Log Products. I know how to streamline the work and we don't need to media blast the logs - saves a bunch. Keep in mind that materials alone will cost $2500-$3500.
Specs:
- 1000 lineal feet of chinking
- 700 square feet of log surface area
- 96 feet of perimeter (not including decks)
Procedure:
- Spray-wash or lightly pressure wash logs then brush/sand to remove old, fragile, sunburned wood fibers, leaving knots, swirls & end-grain intact. No bleaching.
- Remove old chinking & metal mesh, sand a bit more if old chinking leaves debris. Adjust, secure or replace nails as needed.
- Apply 2 coats of Sashco Transformation Stain using airless sprayer, back-brushing required, 48 hours between coats, +40 degree temp needed
- Fill cracks on top surface of logs with Conceal matched to Transformation stain - 1/2"+ cracks need backer rod
- Apply foam backer rod to all horizontal chink lines
- Apply Log Jam chinking & smooth with foam brush dipped in water
Decisions:
- Deal with rotted bottom course log @ entry deck before chinking? $
- Foundation along south wall - from bath door to chimney? $$$
- Stain color (needs pigment for UV protection) see Sashco Transformation Stain - I suggest Brown Tone Dark or Medium or Red Tone Dark
- Log Jam chinking color - I suggest Mortar White or Buff
Please chime in about your color preferences! Your opinion matters! We expect to have samples on our own logs by May - preference is towards Brown Medium stain with Buff chinking. We'll keep the Sequoia Brown (red) window & door paint the same.
Existing Logs
Click more pics for more existing log shots.
Ellen's comments from email 4/21/15:
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In terms of chinking, I would tend to favor a more long-term solution, even though it would be more expensive, depending on how much more expensive it
would be.
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I support preserving the logs in some manner although don’t know what the best alternative would be.
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I’m fine with doing the logs/chinking in stages over the next few years unless there is a significant price advantage to having it all done at once. If
that is the case, I could help front some of the cost.
Ellen Rinde (Friday, 25 February 2022 15:03)
Emmilou and I are on the same page as to color - Brown Tone Medium stain, Buff chinking. I think its the most consistent with the historical appearance and the most visually appealing to me.
Emmilou Hightower (Wednesday, 23 February 2022 10:15)
I like the Brown Tone Medium and Buff. The dark might be too dark and the red tone might be too bright??
Jonathan Cassaday (Thursday, 16 April 2015 01:10)
I would love to meet with you to evaluate and provide a proposal to fix these maintenance issues with your log cabin.
559-799-9753