Frequently Asked Questions

Currently we cover Wisconsin.

• Use our estimate form https://stillwaterloghomes.com/estimate/
• Email: al@stillwaterloghomes.com
• Phone # 608-516-7019

• Still Water Log Homes provides a warranty on their workmanship for 2 years.
• Stain or materials would have their own warranty from the manufacturer.

• We will take cash or check.
• Payments are made throughout the project as draws and the last payment is due on completion of the project.

Yes we do but this will be a custom maintenance as no two homes are the same. We will discuss with the homeowner the best maintenance schedule for their home and build a schedule for them.

The following is a general checklist to help you prevent potential problem areas.

1. Sprinklers – make sure if you have a sprinkler system at your home the sprinkler heads are adjusted as not to spray on the logs of the home. If the logs on the house are not allowed to dry it could lead to log rot and the face of the log will need to be replace.
2. Gutters & downspouts – If your home has gutters make sure that they are kept cleaned out especially in the fall of the year. Debis in the gutters can cause the water to run over and soak the fascia and lower logs causing wood rot. Also check the downspouts on the home on the seam of the pipe. Downspouts that have been blocked with ice build up can rupture the seam causing a leak that will run directly on the logs that they are supposed to be protecting
3. Material or firewood stacked against the walls – This is an area of concern if you block off an area of the wall with material stacked against it will not let the air circulate. The wall will not be able to dry out and initially you will get surface mold then log rot. Try and keep materials away from the walls.
4. Landscaping and shrubbery –  Tree branches and shrubbery should be a minimum of 3 feet from the walls. This is the same principle as to have good air movement to allow the logs on the home. Landscaping should provide proper drainage away from the foundation of the home if the home does not have gutters.
5. Splash back – This is caused when the home doesn’t have gutters and rainwater hits the ground next to the foundation. If the home has logs that terminate close to grade the splash back from the rainwater can cause the lower logs to remain wet leading to premature log failure.
6. Look for failed chinking / caulk – If you are rinsing your house look at the caulk between joints and around windows and doors. If cracks are present or you have leaks in the home it is time to have the home inspected and repaired by a professional.
7. Dark logs or dark spots – This is a sign that the logs have excess moisture and they are in the early stages of decay. These need to be addressed by a professional.
8. Ice build up on the roof – In the winter months when you are outside look at your roof to see if there are ice dams or build up. If these are present you should contact a roofing contractor because these issues could cause multiple issues not only in the log homes bot the roof itself. These issues may be caused by inadequate attic insulation or poor ventilation.

Rinse the home down with a garden hose with standard water pressure (do not use a pressure washer as if not used properly will cause more damage) and just spray the house down 2 times a year (spring and fall) to remove all the dirt and pollen from the logs.

Dirt and pollen sitting on the top of the logs create darkening of the logs in these areas leading to excessive temperature on the logs from the sun’s UV rays. These hotspots will  accelerated stain failure if not removed.

The homeowner should have the home inspected and chemically cleaned every 3 years.

The chemical cleaning will remove the surface mold and mold spores. If the inspection confirms there is mold present and it is under the stain the stain must be removed and the home treated to remove the mold.

The easiest way to check is to wet the logs and see if the water beads up or soaks in.

If the water beads up the stain is doing its job. If the water soaks in it is time to have the the home prepped and stained.

Other signs are discoloration of the stain (some discoloration is normal over time). Difference in the sheen of the logs.

Stain that is flaking or peeling.

Look for water stain on the logs.

Soft Wood.

Mold or mildew present.

You should call a professional to repair the leaks. The homeowner should mark the  areas where they saw the leaks they can inform repair contractor (the best way is to put piece of tape on the wall where they saw the water intrusion). Water leaks around windows and doors also could be caused by poor flashing / weatherization when they were installed (sometimes to repair properly the window or door may have to be removed and new flashing and sealing installed).