Log Building Preservation Calls for Careful Assessment -

Editor's note: This bimonthly tion, in tnrn, column prooides technical assis- will deter- tance on rnanagement, preservation mine what and conseruation matters. We inoite repairs need you to submit q~cestionsof interest to be made. to your organization; they will be Then the real directed to the appropriate staff work begins member at the Minnesota Historical - replacing Societyfor rep&. This month's logs, jacking, question is answered 6.y Charles il< notching, Nelson, historical architect. scribing, chinking and Q: A 19th-century log building daubing,- to was recently donated to our name just Ilr~r,.ri-loghnilrli,r,~.~ trrrw doaetnil corners (lei?). h rustic-style historical society. It is in a state some of the builrirrrgs (right), logs rrre scribad to interlock. of disrepair but appears to be tasks that basically sound. How should we may lie ahead. restoration than most enthusiasts go about preserving it? A word of caution: Log building are willing to tackle. restoration is labor intensive! Only Log buildings -from 19th- the most ambitious do-it- Hardy Sr~rvivors century settlers' dwellings to WPA- yourselfers should tackle this A later generation of log build-

era, rustic-style cabins - are an undertaking themselves. ings, dating to the era of \VPA and -. important part of Minnesota's A two-part series of Tech Talks CCC programs, are more solidly ail1 present a built. These rustic-stvle structures primer of practical are made of notched logs that lock information for together. Because of their tight 2 0, those of you up to construction and because they j j/ the challenge, along generally have been better main- y* : %e with advice on tained, manv of these log hrrildings i 2. when to call in a are in good condition. Deteriora- , . e :T : professional. tion is usuallv confined to the roof s- and corners. Not Meant to Last B Z Earl! log biiild- Visual inspection ings were often The first step in any restoration hastilv constructed project is to assess the condition of by settlers needing your property. Do this by condiict- ,. . . . ""4 for them- ing a complete visnal inspection. ! -f ", selves or their Use a checklist to go over every 7'ttis he,~:,<-I,~,~li~til~linr in !i~ril,r,u/l (.'o,tri/>. II,I,Yb?en animals. Such part of the building from founda- addeil lo sirrce it u:us brrilt uhout 1670. buildings" we,re not tion to roof. Examine the condition architectural landscape. Yet they intended to be permanent. of the logs, inspect the chinking can be costly and time-consuming Some of those that remain were between them, and note the condi- to restore and preserve. incorporated into later structures tion of windows and doors.

Whether or not you proceed with and so were spared exposure to the Be sure to inspect every log. Pay _/ plans to preserve your building will destructive effects of weather. particular attention to the sill log, depend largely on the condition of Those left to battle the elements the key structural member, which the structure. The building's condi- generall" require more extensive rests on the foundation. It should

9 The Minnesota History INTERPRETER March 1996 be at least eight inches above Looking Below the Surface ground level. After the initial inspection, it's Corner design also will deter- time to look for problems that mine how sound the building is. might lie below the surface. Rustic log buildings, with their Each log should be sounded and notched-log corners, are generally probed to determine its solidity. more stable than hewn-log build- This step calls for an ice pick, a ings. But they may be more diffi- crowbar and an experienced ear. cult to restore if log replacement is Hit each log with the crowbar necessary. More on that in the next and listen for hollow areas or a Interpreter. rotted center. A hollow log will sound like a drum. (Use the reso- What to Look For nance of a solid log as a basis for During an inspection, look first comparison.) for surface rot, insect infestation, Logs that sound hollow or rotten For More Information abnormal compression of indi- must be probed to determine the For a list of products that may be vidual logs or other evidence that depth of the damage. Be sure to used on log buildings, n?ite or call the building has settled unevenly. probe all logs near problem areas Schroeder Log Home Supply, 4301 such as cracks that open npward, W. Highway 2, Grand Rapids, M?I missing chinking, and small holes 55744,l-800-359-6614, or trails of that indicate See also Preseruation Briefs, No. insect infestation. 26: The Preseruation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings, published Some Simple Preservation by the Preservation Assistance Measures Division, National Park Service, If your inspection uncovers only U.S. Department of the Interior. minor deterioration, you may he A limited supply of Preservation able to preserve your building Briefs is available from the State aithorlt replacing any logs. Here I-Iistoric Preservation Office, (612) are some simple measures you can 296-5434. The free publication also can be obtained from the Preserva- 7'l~islog, drrrnngrd by hollr ,r.ot<,r nrzrl take to keep your building in good insect infestntin,~,needs to 6e r.eplnrrd. condition. tion Assistance Division, National Clear vegetation anFayfrom the Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, U.S. Next. look for open cracks in the foundation. Deparhnent of the Interior, Wash- log faces and note any accumula- Be sure that the ground around ington, D.C. 20013. tion of debris in the cracks. If the the sill logs drains properlv. building is chinked, also look for Use gr~ttersand rain leaders to cracks between the daubing and direct water away from the :nd Us Yt our Questions the logs as well as for loose or building. Need ad.vice on a consen-a- missing sections. Finally, inspect Fumigate or spray to rid the tion or preservation matter? the log ends, or crowns, for rot and structure of insects. We'll pass your question along breakage. To protect log surfaces, apply to an MHS staff person with As you conduct your inspection, preservatives such as linseed oil the expertise to help you solve. take plenty of photographs to or borate solutions, and coat your problem. Send inquiries document the condition of the with a water repellant. to Irbterpreter Editor. Mine- building. They'll be useful later in CAUTION: The application of sota Historical Sodetv. 345 - developing specifications for the fumigants, preservatives and other Kellogg 13h restoration work. chemicals may require the services 55102, -~~p of professionals.

The Minnesota History IMERPRETER March 1996 Log Building Restoration: Log Replacement, Chinking, Daubing . ErIi/,or...s note: Tltis 6irrronth.ly hrcorr~epopnlar in log coltrttln pr.o~,ir/rstechnical ccssis- I)uilding rcstoration. tance ort rr?rcnu,venlott. r),aser?:n- 'To repair ;I \veak tion atlrl cotzserr~ationiirutte~:~. lli' spot on a log. vr~tant iirr.ite,~.oulo srrbrnit qrrmliorts of the dctt~rioratetipor- iti/i,r(~.stto jeorcr or;qutiiz(t/ioi?;t1iq1. tion ancl fill the cavity u!ill br~r/irectrrl /o s/nffqf.. the with a ~nixtul-eof ~VfirtrrcsotczKi.storic;ol Socie!~.for I~[K)X~and s:rwdust (of rr,pb: This rrtonth b c/rtr.s/.ion is tlic same sprcirs as the rrrlstcerrrl b1. Clrcrr-l(~sII: ~\'<~lsort. loo) WS11isloriccrl urchit~cl. %>is techniqr~r Iraves a distinct path. Q: Several logs on onr historic whirh ma!. 11r madc log Building haw rotted. How lrss ol~\ions'i\.iili should wr go about replacing santlinp and sttrir~irrg /-;~~,~~~i~,,,,~,<,

place with fiber- glass rods anrl c:I'oxy. .l .he same operation can hc- applied ro replace ruttetl cro\vns,, or log ends. Remove rhc tlarnaped erowlr. make a new one that duplicates it and (',IWII,I. ~L,

2 The Minnesota History INTERPRETER May 1996 lu~llhcrs~liil~nrts. . . or cribs. If se\-era1 logs need rrplacir~;?;. that are *t.cored throl~pl~ repeat thr process aho\.e 1;1r csch the \\all with tlwe;lclrrl log. If rn;n~y logs requirp rrplace- ; rnds, washers and lltlrs and nient., it n~iehthe worth thc time , ,#,. "then, "sn~~ggrd"lo hold the and rflort to disassen~l~leand " .I logs tight. Jarks arc placed rrussci-nble the entirr hrlilding. ? under the cril~sand the 'I'his t~pproarliallo\vs for carefr~l I wall srction is liftecl until analysis of cach log. Rut it ma!- the rottcll log is keed ar~tl have the arlvrrsr effect of de.;tr.o\--

3 rollecl out or position. ing signifirtrnt details of r,o~~struc- tion, s~lchas interior fi11is11r:s. I . Fitting the New Lop \\.lien clroosi~~pyour Filling the Gaps \k-' *I rcplare~i~e~itlog. 1.w sure it ~thnew logs in place. you'rr I is the salrit: sprc:ie> 11sed in rr;ltl\- for clrinkirrp and daubing to the original collstrr~ction. make vollr i-111ilrli11gweathrr-tipl~t. And tlir sl~rfncetreatment Chinkill; is inaterial that fills the ,, , I I ~hoilldhave similar trxtl~r(> gaps bct\vcm logs. Dalll~inpis tlre i ant1 l'i~~isl~ exa~npl~!. Inortar tll;it over^ the . ,, (COT (:l~inking. : II~WIIor scril>erl). '1.his jvill Tllc i111101111t of chinkivlp :~ntl ':""""' ha'- n-h(*rl'rl't to dauhing !ou'll ~iertito do depends ,I,,i ./,/,, , , , I IliI, 1 ,,, ;I i.s /$i,>ciI<, ,i,rriir ii.rr\-ji,, I/,,. ri/i/iii.v,,ii~,il loi.. nc,ather natrl~.nlly.. the on thc q11alit:- ol' your building's ka- replai.cmc~~~lop \\.ill c~vftsmansliip.111 liphtl?- co~lstr~~c- Ifis tlu. ci~rnel-sof a log I~i~ilJing pr;l~l~~all!-assnlllc t111, appearance red buildings. ~li~~ll~ingalorrc illny that 1or.k it t(~#rthrra1111 tr~~rismit ol' tlli. original lops. serve to seal thr: seams brtn.ccn logs. tl~r\vri;Iit of tl~cst1.1.rcl11rc to thc Tlrc rcplncc1n1:111

l'i~~~r~(l:ltinn.Ti] lift a lox m~:~ll~VOII loe also 1n11st I)is 11111sts111)pol.t ill \v('i;llt witlro~ct (.;111si11gCII~I.I~IP strrss CIII tl~r(-1ir11r1. joi~~ts.TIIII>; it is c:riti(::~l. \~II+YI has 1irr11left to air f 1 .-yw=- ~~usitin~~i~~pj:l(:k". to placc tl~rma> ~IryII~ ul) to illrcc -,,~ . . . 11ci1r tllr ~or~i(:rsas poisililr. \-l:;rri. Ncve~. . , .. .Cr 7. . , I. 111.l.c :IIT tn-11\\-;~ys to 'lift a lop prrrrl n-ood ill log :I. 'fl~t. first il~vl.~lvc%s1,nsiing ~'~'l~lacenic~~cn-o:rk <. .llTl ~Il:lt?s ti-lrllllpll thl~\vn11. srolll Bcforr \OII o~~tsidrto i~i-i(l(s. illst al~oveth~: lop 111:111i:1l\~rl. 1111. new -. .' to IN,rrl~ltire~~l. 'l'i-i(> b~~ildi~~g in 1.1ie11 log ill111 pmit.ion. br -" lifted I>!- ~~osi~ioliinpa j;i~.l< IIIIII~~ nurc: ili:lt its lirofile , ~. PII~ 7 racli r~l'tllc 11late. i11>i(11!LIII~I III;I~~.~II's exactl!- t1.11: -, I o~~tsi~lt~~llebuildi~~g. 1'111% rlra\vl~a~:k lo; to i-)rrcplar~,~l. I > ~ to lhik 111erhotl is t11;11 1111. log \ I itl' , it,,,. hi , vallnot airnl>lJ. . Ire rollr:rl out c~l'ihr ~,t>x[~~irest~ bit of \v;ly: it irltlst hr i.c.~rio\:ctl r~llllillp ~c-t~~~ii~~e.It is 110t IIIICOIIIIIII.)I~ I lisloricall!. SIKIV':~ I~~.t\vt.~nlop; ir or11 from 11111~r~~rl. to r;iisv t111rl 1trn:er a n-all scc:tinn \v~:rrI'illed with n vatic?- of rnateri- Tlis SP(.OIII~ ~~~etliod~f 1iF1 i~i,x>I .el-sral tirl~cs.,or cvrn lo remom ;I!*. from saplings r)ecketl \virh -og n-all is c:~:ihhing- sa~t~l\\.i~:l~i~igtllr r~:~~lar.:r~nrr~t.111gl'or ildjt~stnlcnt s~rawand III~II~to 1i1r1r-and-sand llir \vi~ll~I~~\\.cI:II ii s'ri~01' ~c?rtical ;IIIII r~~i~~sttill:lti~>r~, C'onthirr~rlon prip 4

The Minnesota History INTERPRETER May 1996 3 Log Building Restoration 2 nrr~rti~r.Modern chinking material.; ~rrarkettoday - i~rclirclerigid foam or sti~inlesssteel tllat arc morr 7 wire latll. Daubir~gis then applic~l rlurable tlrarr dirrr.tl!- to tl~echinking., sealing it historic rnixrs. )r"-' from esposlrrc to weatha. ancl Tllcsr rolnlner- concealilrp it from view. ciirll!; ilvailable 'To prcpasc yo11r own Iiistoricall!- rnisc.s arc apl)ropriate daul~irrgirristure. pr~~rrallyrrrore you'll ~leedsad. Ir?-tirarrrl liliie trl;~sricand - arrd watcr. I rccoriinrentl !:he prnvide a strong. -.. I'ollowing rrrixtlirtr: cmck-n:sistnrt G parts sand bond that krrps .Ilri,~trii.,ri,,~/iir/ti r~l!r. ~iiiii.1virila iIii .s,~ii,ti.i Avti, rr ii iili.\. 4 narts lime watrr nut.. Rut 1 part ilri~son'scelnellt tlresr rriixes, Xote: b1oi.tal.s with a l~ighportland availal~lronlv in a lilnited range of rill1 Sclrroeder Log Homc Supply. rr~nrlitcotrterlt are talloo! Iionr- colors. should not he 11scrl when a 1301 \V. Highway 2, Grand Rtip- cvn.. a lnall amoilnt of'cc~r~entwill l~istoricall!- acc:urntc appeamrrcc is ids, MN 55744, 1-800-359-6611. giac your mortar atided trengtl~. paramorint. See also 1'1.e.srr.i~utionRrix$s, NO. 26: TI,(: Presrr~:ationa17d Iluprrir of Keeping I!p N;.SIOV~C:I,og Br~ilrlirc~~pi~l~lislir(l }I!- ~ippei~rances t11~Prrservarion Assi.;t;~~rce i. U'kler~!-oicr I)ivision of the Nat:iorral Park r'rtstoration Servic:c., US. I)rpal.t~r~rntor tlrr work is done. Interior. nlwkc a maintr- A liriiited sapply of PIY.SC~I.~~I~OIZ narlce plan I'or Rr.i<[s is :~vaili~blefrom the State yorrr lo; hr~ild- Historic Prcscrvatio~lOffic:~. (612) ing. It sI~c)~rlcl 296-5434. The free pul>lication i~~cl~~rl(~yrarl!- also 1.:111 be obtainrrl fronr thc ins[wrtion of I'rcscrvation Assistar~ceDivision. lop. roof and National Park Srrvice, P.O. Box \vinclows as wrll 37127: L1.S. 1)cpartrnent of the as the sur- Interior. \Vnshington, D.C. 20019. rounding sitc. - L I I I ,/II, I I.I/. ,, , Also S(.j,CdUIC Send Us Your ( s e.~<,ctlz.,u

4 The Minnesota History INTERPRETER May 1996