With spring just around the corner and the snow and cold almost behind
us, it will soon be time to get some spring cleaning and maintenance done. When
you own a log cabin, however, cleaning
and maintenance go hand in hand. There are some
things you need to get done to your cabin at the start of spring.

Make a List
All good projects start with a list, and let’s face it, when it comes to cleaning and maintaining
your log cabin, it quickly becomes one huge project. Things that should be on
that list include caring for the logs of your home, your gutters, your roof,
and the seals around your doors and windows. Any maintenance should be done
prior to cleaning as it can get a little messy depending on what needs to be
done. A great suggestion by many cabin owners is to create your list in a
schedule format and spread the maintenance and cleaning tasks out over a week’s
time. Set which tasks get done on what days so that it isn’t overwhelming, and
everything gets done.

Know Where to Start
Start outside with the gutters and downspouts. You want to keep as much
moisture as possible away from your home and maintaining these two are your
first steps in doing so.

The next thing you should do is check the seal of the wood. Having the
wood resealed at least once a year
protects it from moisture and insects, plus it extends the life of the logs
that form your home.

Next, check the seal around the doors and windows. Ensuring the seals in
these areas are good is not only essential to keeping cold air out in the
winter, but it also keeps moisture from seeping in between the window sill and
walls which can cause mold, mildew and wood rot, not to mention the hordes of
insects that could find their way into the tiny crevices. Lastly, for the exterior maintenance, you
should check your roof for any small leaks and fix those immediately.

Understand
Maintenance
One decision you must make during your cabin ownership is whether you
want to do the maintenance yourself or hire a professional to do the tasks for
you. If you know exactly what you are doing and have the time, you can save
loads of money by doing the maintenance and cleaning yourself. However, if you
aren’t very handy when it comes to fixing things, it might be a lot safer and a
lot cheaper, in the long run, to hire a
professional to do the job for you.

Nothing good in life comes easy. This is true for owning a beautiful log
cabin. Although it is hard work, it is totally worth the effort to maintain a
home of this quality and beauty. Log cabin ownership is a huge investment, but
a great one and certainly one worth protecting. So break out the brushes,
ladders, and cleaning supplies and protect that cabin of
yours.