There are thousands of log homes nestled in some of the most beautiful landscapes across America. But these log homes can present unique repair and maintenance challenges for the home owner.

A common misconception is that log homes are impervious to the harsh elements and are built to last forever with little or no maintenance. Other problems arise from incorrectly treating the problems.

The pine used in today's construction, which is fast-grown, fourth and fifth generation trees is made up of mostly sapwood. In many cases, this type of wood is more susceptible to insect and fungus problems. Unlike the ancient, slow-growing pine which was made up of mostly heartwood and extremely durable and resilient. Logging practices also play an important role in the type of wood available to the consumer.

For a modern day log home structure to withstand the elements and endure the test of time, the structure needs proper care and maintenance.