Interior Log Walls: The Causes and Repair of Water Stains on an Interior Log Wall
Causes of water stains in the interior
Water stains are the result of water contact with unprotected log surfaces. Before you begin removing stains on your interior log wall, you need to determine where the water originated. This may have occurred during the construction process, gaps between log courses due to settling, or broken joints/caulking that failed. Water stains can also be the result of a previous plumbing problem or simply repeatedly open windows that allow water to enter. Once you are sure that the situation has been corrected, you can start to repair the watermarks.
Repair of water stains on interior log walls
Various methods are used to remove water stains from an interior log wall. The best method may depend on the depth and severity of the staining. If they occurred during the construction process and the stains are severe, you may want to consider hiring a log home professional to clean the walls with corn cobs, glass, or walnut shells. Although this can be tricky and will involve removing all items from within the room, it is very effective. Most log professionals will do their best to seal the area to help minimize dust from traveling to other areas of the home.
Usually, water spots are in a more confined area and not too severe. If you decide to tackle the project yourself, start by using regular sandpaper (fine to medium grit, depending on the type of log) and a traditional palm sander. Start sanding at the edge of the watermark. If they cannot be easily removed, it may be necessary to use an orbital sander or belt sander. Focus on blurring the darker edges. Patience and care are needed to remove the water-stained area without removing too many fibers from the trunk. You can easily damage your log wall creating an uneven and undesirable appearance. You may be able to achieve good results by only sanding the water-stained area and applying a pigmented stain. However, for best results, once the watermark has been removed, lightly sand the entire log wall to allow for even stain absorption and to prevent color variations.
Interior Log Wall Staining
Interior log walls are exposed to areas of direct or indirect ultraviolet light through skylights, windows, and doors. Even if your interior log wall has not been previously stained, the log wall features will likely look different over time.
Most log house siding companies have developed products specifically designed for interior log walls. These products are usually water-based and are available in different finishes. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose a transparent (non-yellowing) finish in gloss or satin. If you prefer a pigmented stain, most offer different shades. Whether you’re trying to match an existing log wall or deciding what color would go best with your existing finish, most manufacturers are happy to send color samples of their products by mail. Applying a finish to the interior walls will not only offer protection, but will also make it easier to clean the surface of the trunk.
conclusion
In most situations, water spots can be effectively removed without leaving any obvious signs of water damage; however, there are no quick and easy solutions. Your patience will pay off once you expose the shiny new wood fibers just below the surface.