The seasonal checks (the small cracks that develop in wood) that catch water on the exterior should be filled to prevent any further water entry with Check Mate 2 or Energy Seal sealant. Check Mate 2 is the preferred product for sealing checks, as it is highly elastic and adheres exceptionally to wood, allowing for an excellent seal as checks change sizes. You can learn how to seal checks in our Tech Tip here.

What to Look for with Checks and Why

With winter being almost over and spring just around the corner, it’s time to get out of the house and see what the ravages of winter have bestowed on your home and do a little spring cleaning. Depending where you live, winter can be a very unfriendly companion for your home. For instance, if your home is located in areas prone to large amounts of snowfall, the snow can lay against the logs on your home for weeks. Or worse, windblown snow can work its way into unsealed checks, slowly soaking into the wood. As the snow begins to melt during the day and re-freeze at night, the melted snow causes water to run into the seasonal checks and small areas that rainfall normally doesn’t get into. The moisture inside the check can work its way into the wood substrate beneath the finish and make the wood very wet.

Once the freezing process starts again, the trapped water will expand as it freezes beneath the finish and can, in some instances “pop” the finish off at the edges of the check. The wood then is unprotected and can start to suffer damage from ultraviolet light and repeated moisture.

It's Not Just the Exterior

Seasonal checks that face upward and allow water to enter can not only lead to exterior finish problems, but they can also serve as a channel for the water to work its way to the interior of the home. Water carried into the interior not only brings in unwanted moisture, but it also brings along with it tannin stains or “water stains,” visible and unsightly on interior walls.

These stains can be very difficult to remove, especially if the interior of the home is finished with a stain or sealer. Water stains on unfinished wood can normally be removed with a light scrubbing with Oxalic acid mixed with a mild non-ammonia type cleaner. If the wood is covered with a stain or sealer, it may be necessary to remove the finish, clean and re-finish the affected area.

Repairing Damage to the Stain or Topcoat

If the edges of the check are unprotected, they should be cleaned, lightly sanded and touched up with the stain and topcoat to restore the protection.