This month weโre talking about building a nice butt. Nope, not that kind of butt. We mean butt-joints! Our very own log home expert, Paul Peebles is sharing some of his very best tips from the field to help you build a better butt-joint.
By Paul Peebles, Southeast Territory Managerย (and log home owner who knows a thing or two about butt-joints)
We need to have a talk about your butts.ย
No, not those butts โย I mean butts in log homes, sometimes called butt-joints. These things cause a lot of trouble in the log home business because, too often, they are not designed correctly. Thatโs a problem because a poorly designed butt-joint can allow water and bugs into your home or behind the log siding, leading to rot and insect infestations. Yuck. After decades in the industry, I have found that close to 90% of water damage and rot are caused by leaky butt-joints. ย In most cases, when I have been called to a home that leaks water, I have found that it is the butt-joints that leaked โ sometimes for years! The problem begins when builders butt two logs tightly together during construction. It looks tight, so it must be right, right? We all know that after a couple of years, the logs shrink, opening up those joints, and this lets in the water. Bad situation! One common indication that this has occurred is a little bit of daylight showing from inside the home.ย Follow these easy steps for effective butt-joint repair.
It got us thinking of other chinking recipes we’ve come across:
Two parts Portland cement, one part oakum, one part random grass found on the ground = chinking.
One part muddy clay, one part goat hair, one part spit = chinking
Fruit of the Loom found around the house (hopefully unused) = chinking (Check out that picture!)
Shown above. Fruit of the Loom chinking: It kept some of the cold out and was an instant conversation starter.
The recipes for old time chinking are diverse and many. But they all lacked stick-to-it-tiveness. Oh, it sticks around on the homes for a good long time, but it doesnโt stick to the sides of the logs it was designed to seal. Of course, back in the 1800’s, synthetic chinking hadnโt yet been invented. (Weโre pretty sure itโd be the talk of the town if it had been.)
Sashcoโs history in chinking isnโt as storied as the recipes above, but itโs a fun story nonetheless. Back in the day, when Sashcoโs Acrylic Rubber Sealant was around, some genius log crafters started using it in between logs. They liked its ability to stick and stretch, thereby holding its seal (and keeping those dream log homes weather tight).
But they had one complaint: it didnโt look like chinking. It was too smooth. Thus began the formulation of Sashcoโs Log Jamยฎ Chinking. We were one of the first to market with a synthetic chinking for logs that both looked like chinking and delivered a high-performance seal.
Weโre proud to say that Log Jamยฎ is now the most popular synthetic chinking in the United States, and is becoming more popular with its use on national television, along with the rest of Sashco’s log home finishing products. Be sure to watch all new episodes of Cabin Fever on Tuesdays at 10 EST, and catch past episodes online.
And most of all,ย join us in being grateful for the invention of Log Jamยฎ (and the salvation of people’s underthings the world over).
Most blisters in caulking happen when large amounts of moisture vapor try to evaporate out of the caulk line too quickly and after it has skinned over. This is more likely to happen when the caulk is applied in direct sunlight, to hot surfaces, in hot temperatures, or to wet surfaces. We know that those conditions are not always avoidable, so some blistering is normal and to be expected. When possible, apply caulking during the cool part of day, out of direct sun and to dry surfaces. If you canโt, remember that repairs are easy.
Tools You’ll Need:
Utility Knife
Caulking
Spray Bottle (filled with water)
How-To Fix Blisters in Caulk or Chinking
In dried or cured caulk:
Cut out the blister
Fill in the cavity with new caulk
Tool it so itโs smooth and matches the existing caulk bead.
Note: A couple of applications may be necessary to get a uniform look.
In caulk that is not completely cured:
Simply pop a hole in the blister to release the air
Push it in to seal up the cavity
Then apply a bit more caulk over top of the blister.
Tool the caulk so itโs smooth with the rest of the caulk line. Done!
If you want to add texture and dimension to your home, log chinking is a great way to do so. But before you start the project, there are a few things you need to know.
First thing first, choose a good quality chinking.
Donโt compromise at the end of a long and arduous journey by using an inferior stain not designed for logs. Capture and Cascade deliver performance worthy of the journey that got you here.
Moves with your logs and timbers
Won't hide the wood grain
Easy clear coat maintenance with Cascade(R) exterior clear coat
Backer Materials that Seal Things Right the First Time Backer Rod, Grip Strip, and Log Gap Cap all help you create the ideal joint desing for a long-lasting, durable seal
Logs are in constant dynamic motion. That's why there's Log Builderยฎ, the sealant made for log structures. Stretches up to 500% of original size, while still maintaining tenacious adhesion to the wood.
When other chinking pulls away, Log Jam holds its seal With Log Jam chinking, you can keep the cozy feel and rustic look of a log home without compromising comfort and performance.
Easy to Use - Hard to See Keep out weather, bugs, and moisture without seeing it. Conceal disappears into the woodwork so you don't know the wood starts and the caulk begins.
It's Music to the Eyes Symphony works in harmony with the unique character of your logs and wood to reflect an atmosphere or cozy warmth and elegance while creating and scuff-resistant and durable surface that's easy to dust.
Right Color. Right Quantity. Right Now. Never run out of stain at the jobsite again. Stock exactly what you need in your truck or trailer at the jobsite.
Easy to mix
The same color, durability, and application you've come to expect from Capture Log Stain and Transformation Log & Timber
Maintenance Made Easy Now that Captureยฎ Log Stain is applied, itโs time for Cascadeยฎ Clear Topcoat to bring out the depth and character of your unique woodgrain while protecting it against moisture, mildew, and algae. Predictable and affordable routine maintenance with Cascade throughout the years means your home stays protected and beautiful. Easy!
Keep the Color the Color Colorfast delivers the ideal canvas for stain application and leaves behind the strong foundation necessary for long-lasting color. Itโs color confidence for your log home.
Rot, weather, insects, fungi all pose a serious threat to your logs. Protect your investmentโtreat your logs first to make them last. Tim-borยฎ helps protect your home from the costly damage caused by rot and insect infestation.
Bugs don't stand a chance
Easy to mix and apply
Prevents decay fungi
Costs 5 times less than glycol-based borate products
Remove Wood Felting and Raised Grain Remove wood fuzz (called felting) after power washing or media blasting, and knock down excessive raised grain with Sashco's finish sanding tools
Clean and brighten bare logs and wood, remove surface dirt, pollen, and kill mold for maintenance, and keep your logs looking fresh with CPR Log Cleaner and Brightener
