Signs of Termite Damage & Rot in Log Homes
If you own a log home (or are thinking about buying one), there’s a good chance you know about the unique maintenance required on a log cabin. Two important issues to be aware of, are termites and rot. Either of these issues can cause significant damage to your home, that can be costly (and difficult) to repair. Knowing the signs of termite damage or rot are essential so that you can address any issues as soon as possible. In this blog, we’ll discuss the telltale signs of both termite damage and rot, so that you can stay informed and keep your dream home in top condition.
At Gingrich Builders, we’re a log home company that builds beautiful log cabins and provides repairs and maintenance. Since rot and termite damage are two of the most serious threats log homeowners will encounter, we’re putting a special focus on them here. Keep reading to learn how to identify the key signs of termite damage as well as of wood rot!
What Does Termite Damage Look Like on Wood?
While it’s important to be proactive in damage prevention, it’s also important to know what you’re looking for should something go wrong. One of the most common questions we hear is, “What does termite damage look like on wood?” Termite damage looks like many holes or tunnels bored into a piece of wood — almost making it resemble a honeycomb. If you see this in your logs (inside or outside), you know you have a problem. Unfortunately, that sign of termite damage is only on the inside of the log, meaning the damage is hidden from view.
That’s why one of the most important signs of termite damage to look for is a trail of sawdust leading from the wall into the ground. Whether you see it on the inside or outside of your house, there’s no other nuisance that produces something quite like that. One of the other signs to look for is wood that looks discolored or rotten. Occasionally, what log homeowners think is a spot of dry rot is actually the beginnings of a termite infestation. While you’ll need an exterminator to eliminate the infestation, our cabin repair experts are able to restore all of the damage the insects did!
Learn more about how our cedar log homes are naturally insect repellent!
What Does Wood Rot Look Like?
While termites are a catastrophe with six legs, they are just one of the things you need to be vigilant for when you own a log home. Wood rot is often a more common problem that affects log homes in our area. One of the more frequently asked questions we hear is, “What does wood rot look like?” On the exteriors of log homes, wood rot looks like wooden patches that are discolored, chipping off, or coming off in flakes. Essentially, any patches that don’t look like the rest of the log should rouse your suspicions.
Knowing what wood rot looks like is only one of the ways that professionals identify it, though. If you’re concerned about a log, give it a tap! If the log feels soft or squishy to the touch, or sounds hollow, that’s almost certainly a guarantee that it’s rotten. Of course, if you’re still in doubt, our experienced teams can diagnose and fix any rot on your home.
Learn all about log home rot repair!
Trust Our Cabin Care Team for Everything
See the signs of termite damage? We can help. Or do you think you have some rotting logs? We’re on it! We support our new log home customers (and the log cabin community at large) through our highly skilled cabin care team. Our team has the solutions to handle the emergency repairs that fix problems and keep your cabin in great shape.
However, since preventative maintenance is certainly worth a pound of cure here, we specialize in that, too. Our cabin care team often performs key preventative maintenance on cabins to protect against rot, termites, mold, and other hazards. This preventative maintenance for log homes often includes cleaning, coating, caulking, and sealing the house.
