Log Home Maintenance

Introduction  |  Pressure Washing  |  Corn Cob Blasting  |  Staining  |  Backer Rod  |  Caulking

Pressure Washing: Cleaning the Logs

    In all cases, we recommend cleaning to logs with a reliable cleaning solution to sanitize areas of dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. Using a gallon garden pump sprayer, add in 1 gallon fresh household bleach, 1 quart bottle of liquid tri sodium phosphate (TSP) available at your local hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowes, filling the rest with water.

   Working from the bottom rows and working your way up to the log wall, apply the solution onto the wood surface and let it set for about 20 minutes. Scrub clean where necessary. Working from the top of the wall downward, completely rise with fresh water & preferably pressure wash clean. If using a pressure washer, use caution to not create marks as you begin and end your spraying by "fanning" your spray action.

 

   Do not let the cleaning solution dry on the wood surface before rinsing. It is key that the cleaning solution is completely rinsed off.

   We recommend removing the screens for this phase. There is a significant amount of wood pulp like material that develops as a result of the bleaching and power washing. This can be quite a chore to remove after things dry, especially if it gathers in the screening.

   We also ask that someone be home the day we power wash to monitor inside for water leaks. Although every effort is made to direct the water pressure at an angle to minimize the amount of water penetration if the home has not been caulked.

   For homes that have been painted, that have a solid stain, or with excessive mold, a more intense form of cleaning may be needed. Glass Bead Blasting is truely the only way to return the wood to it's original state. Click here for more information on Glass Bead Blasting.