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 contacting unprotected log surfaces. Before you begin to remove interior log wall stains, you need to determine where the water originated. This may have occurred during the construction process, gaps between rows of logs due to settling, or broken joints/caulking that failed. Water stains can also be the result of a previous plumbing problem or simply repeatedly opened windows that let water in. Once you are sure that the situation has been corrected, you can start to repair the watermarks.

Interior Log Wall Water Stain Repair

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 objects from inside the room, it is very effective. Most log professionals will go to great lengths to seal off the area and help minimize dust from drifting to other areas of the house.

Usually water stains 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 removed easily, 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 sanding just 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 absorption of the stain and to prevent color variation.

Interior log wall staining

Interior log walls are exposed to areas of direct or indirect ultraviolet rays through skylights, windows, and doors. Even if your interior log wall has not previously been stained, the characteristics of the log wall will likely look different over time.

Most log house siding companies have developed products designed specifically 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 clear (non-yellowing) gloss or satin finish. If you prefer a pigmented spot, most offer different shades. Whether you’re trying to match an existing log wall or deciding what color would work best with your existing finish, most manufacturers are happy to send color samples of their products in the mail. Applying a finish to the interior walls will not only offer protection, but will also make the log surface easier to clean.

Conclution

In most situations, water stains can be removed effectively without leaving 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.