The Post-Winter Autopsy: How to Spot & Fix Cold Weather Damage

Spring is here. The snow is melting, the birds are singing, and your log home is finally visible again.

But before you relax, you need to perform an autopsy.

Winter is the single most destructive season for log homes. It isn't just the cold; it's the combination of UV Reflection, Freeze/Thaw Cycles, and Moisture Accumulation that wreaks havoc on wood fibers.

The damage often hides in plain sight. Here is exactly how winter affected your home, and the 4 places you need to inspect right now.

1. The "Double Burn" (UV Damage from Snow)

Most homeowners think summer sun is the enemy. Actually, winter sun is often worse.

• The Science: Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays. In the summer, the ground absorbs UV. In the winter, the sun hits your South-facing wall, bounces off the snow, and hits it again.

• The Damage: This "Double Burn" degrades the lignin in the wood faster than summer sun, causing your stain to fade and peel prematurely on the lower logs.

• The Fix: Perform the "Water Bottle Test" on your South wall. If the water soaks in, the UV has destroyed the topcoat. You need to wash it and apply a maintenance coat of UV Guard Advance Clear immediately to re-seal the UV protection.

2. The Freeze/Thaw Tear (Chinking Failure)

Water expands by 9% when it freezes. If moisture got behind your chinking or into a crack (check) in November, it turned into ice in January.

• The Damage: This expansion pushes against the wood and the sealant. It can tear chinking away from the log or widen a hairline check into a major split.

• The Inspection: Walk the perimeter. Look for "flags" of loose chinking or gaps where the sealant has pulled away from the upper log.

• The Fix: Do not just caulk over it. Cut out the loose section. If the gap is deep, insert a new Backer Rod and apply Triple Stretch Chinking. Its elasticity allows it to survive the next freeze cycle without tearing.

3. The "Splash Zone" (The Screwdriver Test)

Snow piled up against your house is dangerous. As it melts, it keeps the bottom logs in a state of constant saturation.

• The Danger: Wet wood + Spring warmth = Mold Factory.

• The Diagnostic: Take a flathead screwdriver to the bottom two courses of logs. Gently press the tip into the wood.

• Hard/Solid: You are safe.

• Spongy/Soft: You have rot.

• The Fix: If you find soft wood, excavate the rot immediately. Treat the remaining wood with Wood Hardener to petrify the fibers, then fill the void with Wood Epoxy before sealing.

4. The Insect Awakening

Insects spent the winter dormant. Now, they are waking up and looking for a home.

• The Threat: Carpenter Bees and Termites love soft, damp wood—exactly what winter left behind.

• The Vents: Check your soffit vents and foundation vents. Winter winds can blow screens loose, creating an open door for mice and bugs.

• The Fix: Secure your screens. Then, add Bug Juice to your spring maintenance coat of stain to create a toxic barrier for pests landing on your walls.

The Spring Inspection Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my chinking pulling away?

Likely due to the freeze/thaw cycle or log shrinkage. Winter air is very dry, causing logs to shrink. If your chinking wasn't applied with a Backer Rod, it couldn't stretch enough to handle the movement.

Can I stain if it's still freezing at night?

No. Most water-based stains (like UV Guard) require temperatures to stay above 40°F for at least 24-48 hours to cure properly. Wait until the nights are consistently mild.

How do I remove the green algae?

Scrub the area with Log Wash and a soft brush. Do not use high-pressure washing, as it drives the spores deeper into the wood. If the algae is stubborn, treat it with Mildew-X.

Winter is over. The work begins.

A thorough Spring inspection is the best way to catch winter damage before it turns into summer rot.

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