Fixing cracks in a log - we are treating the tree ourselves

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What is the charm of buildings made of logs?

Usually for the construction of country houses, baths and other wooden structures a round log is used. This is a common tree trunk, which passes special basting and processing on machines, giving it an absolutely smooth and even surface.

As in the process of this treatment the upper protective layer is removed from the trunk, which protects the tree from rot, mold and insects, rounded logs must be treated with special antiseptic agents designed to relieve them of such troubles.

In the factory, special "cups" are cut in order to facilitate the assembly of buildings from such logs, and also in order to get the most tight fit of the finished logs to each other. Building a house with cut "cups" requires minimal participation of construction equipment.

Houses from logs are erected within the shortest possible time, are characterized by ecological compatibility and high thermal insulation properties. These houses are in perfect harmony with nature, have a wonderful microclimate and contribute to the restoration of the psychological and physical condition of a person.

Due to the fact that such houses "breathe", it is not advisable to install additional ventilation in them. In addition, log homes have an initially amazing appearance and do not need exterior finishing. For the production of rounded logs, spruce, pine, larch and cedar wood are used.

A few facts about wooden log houses

The disadvantages of building a house from this material can be considered time. Despite the speed of the construction of such a house, he needs to give time for shrinkage. The technological break takes at least half a year, and only after that you can start finishing work.

Do not forget that wood is extremely combustible material, so it needs impregnation of fire retardant, which can reduce the fire hazard of the entire structure.

And among other things, wood as a natural material is prone to aging, and over time, you can see cracks in the logs. Therefore, if you want your house to always please the eye, it is necessary to conduct every 7-9 years full prevention of wood, treat it with impregnations, etc.

Cracks in logs - why is this happening and how to fix it?

Faced with cracks in the cottage at home, many owners are perplexed, why the beam is cracking. The appearance of cracks in logs depends on many factors. But the main one is the presence of moisture in the trunk of the tree.

When processing the tree trunk in a rounded log, the wood undergoes a drying process in special chambers. But such a technological process is not able to completely dry the wood, and therefore, during the shrinkage of the log house, cracks often appear in the logs.

Besides this, a lot depends on the time of logging. If the tree was harvested in a warm time, when the movement of juices inside the trunk was intense, such wood is likely to give cracks in the future due to high internal humidity. Harvesting wood in winter can significantly reduce the risk of such trouble.

But if the problem has already been formed, it is necessary to solve, than to repair the cracks in the log .Specialists advise two ways out of the situation: the sealing of the cracks with the or arboreal seam by the special seam sealant .The first is a budget option, perfect for repairing logs in old log houses and is done by "sealing" the damaged areas. The composition itself is a mixture of alabaster and any sawdust.

Before the repair, the surface of the log must be prepared. For this, the crack is treated with iron sulfate and smeared with slaked lime.

A mixture is prepared: dry sawdust is mixed with gypsum in a ratio of 6 to 1, after which the mixture is poured with water, the amount of water used must be equal to half the volume of the dry mixture. The entire composition is thoroughly mixed and placed in a damaged area. The whole repair surface is quickly compacted, becausethe prepared mixture begins to harden after 6 minutes.

Within 14 days, this "seal" is gaining strength, hardening. After this period, it is almost impossible to tear it away from the surface.

The second method, where the sealant is used, is more convenient, since the required mixture is already ready and sold in a package. To act when preparing a crack for repair should be the same for all methods, but the operation of the sealant must comply with the instructions. In the same place you will find the time of grasping and full drying.

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