Bad Day

nlgutters

We just gutttered at 20,000 sq ft log cabin ( don't know if you stilll use the word cabin at that size), The problem is it froze last night then started raining a real lot. So what happend was at the endcap they overflowed and ran down the wall. Which generally wouldnt be a big deal. But apperantly log cabins are not that water tight? My question is are they generally not that water tight? Should i always worry about this on log homes.

Cole

So you are saying water got into the cabin?

BTW- We need pics of this cabin!!!!!!!!!

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Celtic

I thought they used chico or chink or something like that between the logs/window & doors, etc?

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Bodger

I think it depends on the age of the structure. The technology of making a log home air and watertight has come a long way, from horse manure and straw to various felxible sealant materials.

Since the logs will continue to expand and contract, there are a lot of design elements that allow the structure to flex without busting at the seams and knocking the doors out of whack and all that kind of thing.

There's a product called PermaChink that is a flexible sealant that has apparently performed well to prevent gaps from occurring between the logs.
I guess the best way to guage whether a log house will be prone to leakage is to know when it was built and what sealants were used. Otherwise, my best guess would be to assume since that logs aren't siding or stucco, they might present a problem waiting to happen where water is concerned.
Are you on the hook for any of the damage?

dougchips

I found out twice on the same log cabin a few years ago that they ran electric wire in the door jambs, since then I generally shy away from them.

So, what's your damage report?

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Patrick

YUP Found that out too. VERY VERY COMMON on log cabins and on houses in less than desirable neighborhoods

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Magnettica

Electrical wires in the door jambs???


What's that all about? And what do bad neighborhoods have to do with it?

6stringmason

We call it chinking around here.

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nlgutters

Not 100% sure yet. Just happened today. It was incredible to stop it quick we cut the gutter so it wouldnt run down the wall. Then it was splashing on the wall and still running in the house down the elevator shaft into the basment. And get this they just had 100k worth of interior doors delivered that where sitting on the floor.

Bodger

Kind of like finding Romex buried in sheetrock mud instead of stapled to the studs. I can't believe it sometimes when I find that, and it doesn't have to be log house either, just done by some numbnuts who doesn't give a damn.

Bodger

YEEEouch! That's some scary liability there.
Guess I won't be bidding on any log houses.
Best of luck though.

dougchips

Some of them use logs that are shaped to look like door jambs to trick door installers and then somebody likes using the log to hid wires---it's evil IMO.

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Cole

Are you in good standing with your GL insurance?

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dougchips

I can't speak for all log cabins but I chinked a new one in VT and rechinked one from the 1800's in VA and both were mostly water tight from the top log down. Granted standing water can pass through but normal rain will not get in at all. It will be interesting to see what you end up finding out.

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nlgutters

Hope so

Ed the Roofer

Wouldn't a valid assumption be, that any reasonalble man would have considered the exterior product on a home to be adequately water-proof?

Don't just lie down and bite the bullet on this.

Were your guttering actions unreasonable?

Did you directly cause the water to seep into the structure, or was a lack of proper water=proofing the culprit?

This sounds like an, "Act Of God/Nature", which should fall under the home owners insurance policy, not the contractors liability policy.

But, that will probably be a matter best left to subrogate between the two different insurance companies.

Document what you have done with detailed photos and keep accurate records of all conversations.

Ed

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RayGoerdt

there are several different styles of log buildings, some are "hand scribed" where the upper log is troughed and scribed to fit the contour of the log under it. others are "milled" usaully these are the ones that look like lincoln logs. The milled logs come in many shapes some are "coped" as in the hand scribed, some are tongue and groove etc.

the logs should be put together in such a way that any water from outside would have to run down the side of a log and then back UP over the top of the log under it to get in the cabin. if water comes in from water running down the side of a log, there is a problem with the way the logs are put together.

also, running elec wires in door openings is fairly common practice in the business, however there should also be a stabalizer in any opening, either angle iron or a 2x grooved in the ends of the logs in the opening

Depending on the style of log stacking, chinking or caulking the log runs may not always be needed, and alot of times it is the preference of the ho

I have done alot of log repair and found many surprises and nightmares.
I have some photos on my profile page, and many more on my site at logrepair1.com if you are interested in seeing them.

RayGoerdt

as I think about it, I even did repairs on one cabin at a resort that was put together upside down! The troughing was on top!

Alot of times cabins are put together first at a log yard, then disassembled (electric runs are drilled at this time if they are needed) then the cabin is hauled to the building site and reassembled.

nlgutters

This was a kit. Made taken apart then reassembled. They chinked every joint and lookes like siliconed the ends of the logs where they are cross hatched. I couldnt believe how easy the water went in. I swear you could throw a glass of water at it and it would run in the house,

RayGoerdt

are you sure that the water is not coming in from the roof? it is possible that it could be entering the roof system from a chimney or vent pipe flashing, running down the ceiling untill it hits the top of the wall and then down an electrical run in that wall, from there it could spread out.

unless there are cracks thru the logs that have not been sealed.

Can you get photos?