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Michael

Michael

PCS Connection August 2017

In this issue read about:

  • Which Performs Better: Satin or Gloss?
  • Importance of Back-Brushing
  • Got Rot? M-Balm & E-Wood
  • Applying Lifeline Over Existing Stains
  • Upcoming Events

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Tips from the Field - Borates

 

There are two kinds of wood – wood that is rotten, and wood that one day will be rotten. This statement may seem a bit extreme, but it is a fact. Wood is a product of nature and its nature is to return to the earth in a natural process. As professional log home contractors, it is our job to ensure that wood used in the construction of log homes lasts for many years. 

Borates have been used to preserve wood for many years, and because people have lately become more concerned with the toxicity of products used in their homes, it has steadily grown in popularity.  We will discuss the use of borates to preserve log homes in detail.

What are borates and how do they work?

Simply put borates or borax are naturally-occurring water-soluable salt-like acids. They are about as toxic as table salt to humans and pets but kill wood-consuming insects like termites, powder-post beetles, and old house borers. More importantly, it kills the wood destroying microorganisms that cause rot.

Rot in log or conventional homes causes hundreds of times more damage to homes every year than damage by insects.

For borates to be effective, they must be actually eaten by an organism. Borates are not effective against carpenter bees because they do not actually consume wood – they just chew it. Interestingly enough, consuming borates does not instantly kill termites or other wood destroying insects. It does however kill the bacteria in their digestive system. These bacteria actually help the insect digest the cellulose fibers that make up a piece of wood. Without these bacteria, the insects die of starvation. Funny how nature works.

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Got Rot? Knock Rot Out of the Park with M-Balm and E-Wood

What can you fit inside a log?A hollowed out piece of timber on your home might make a convenient storage space for sports equipment or toys, but it's a problem. Before you panic and list your home up on Zillow or Redfin, let's take a look at the situation.

What To Do When You Find Log Rot?

How much decay have you found? If it's not halfway deep through the log, or less than a couple of feet lengthwise, odds are it can be repaired easily. M-Balm and E-Wood from Perma-Chink Systems are specially formulated epoxies designed to repair decay and soft spots in homes. Large voids can be repaired with filler wood like 2x4 boards to add some rigidity to the repaired section.

The biggest threat to log homes is decay damage, caused by moisture-loving fungi. The three basic categories of wood-destroying fungi are soft rot, brown rot, and white rot. Preventing rot begins with eliminating as much contact as possible with moisture, which breeds fungi. The best product that addresses moisture prevention is using borate preservatives, which destroy wood fungi and protect against decay. It also fights against wood-boring insects. 

If you do discover decay in your logs during inspections, it can most likely be mitigated and eliminated without the need for a costly log replacement. If the decay does not exceed more than half the depth of the log, or only a few feet lengthwise, use M-Balm and E-Wood. 

E-Wood epoxy has the ability to be cut, sanded, textured, and finished like real wood.

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PCS Connection July 2017

In this issue read about:

  • Presidential Birthplaces
  • Top 15 Log Home Manufacturers
  • Why Log Homes Need Pigment Finish
  • How Borates Work
  • What is Causing Wood Damage
  • Upcoming Events

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Presidential Birthplaces: From Humble Beginnings to Greatness

From Peter H. Miller, Traditional Building:

 

Not every great leader was born with wealth and privilege. In fact, some of the greatest U.S. presidents came from the most humble of abodes. Today we take a look at some of our favorite presidential birthplaces.

 

1) Abraham Lincoln

Arguably one of the greatest leaders in our nation's history, Abraham Lincoln could not have come from a more humble beginning. This one-room cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, measured only 16 ft. x 18 ft., had a dirt floor, a stone fireplace, and a single window.

 

2) Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in this simple 2-story frame house in Denison, Texas. He was the first U.S. President from Texas--although he didn't know that until he was an adult. Eisenhower's family moved to Kansas when he was 2 years old, and he had no knowledge of his Texas origins until a local school principal named Jennie Jackson contacted him and asked if he was related to the Eisenhower family of Denison. Once Eisenhower's mother confirmed that it was indeed his birthplace, Jackson set about raising funds to buy the home, which was then donated to the city of Denison. It is now operated by the Texas Historical Commission, and is a designated Texas Historic Landmark.

 

3) Bill Clinton

William Jefferson Clinton, our 42nd president, was born in the small town of Hope, Arkansas. He lived in this modest house in Hope with his recently-widowed mother and her parents until he was 4 years old. It was in this home that Clinton first learned about social equality, justice, and a commitment to serving others from his beloved grandfather.

 

4) John Adams

John Adams, the second president of the United States, was born in this Quincy, Massachusetts saltbox house that was built in 1681. This historic American colonial structure still stands in its original location, surrounded by the six acres of land that Adams' father--a prominent deacon--bought soon after his birth. Adams lived in this house with his family until the age of 29 when he married Abigail Smith.

 

5) Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant's parents paid $2 a month to rent this tiny home in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Grant was born in this home, but lived there less than a year--his family moved to Georgetown just prior to his first birthday. Today, this site is a historic house museum operated by the Ohio Historical Society, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Top 15 Log Home Manufacturers in the World

In July we are celebrating National Log Home Month. During the month of July, log home manufacturers will honor America’s log home heritage by hosting home tours, log raising demonstrations, log home building seminars and more. There are many different sizes and styles of log home construction to suit any homeowner's vision.

 

Here we present the TOP 15 Log Home Manufacturers, and invite you to visit their websites and see what they have to offer. Each manufacturer is outstanding in quality of craftsmanship, and this is not a ranked list.

 

1. Satterwhite Log Homes

 Satterwhite Log Homes

 

2. Whisper Creek Log Homes

Rocky Mountain Log Homes

 

3. Honest Abe Log Homes

Honest Abe Log Homes

 

4. Golden Eagle Log Homes

Golden Eagle Log Homes

 

5. StoneMill Log Homes

StoneMill Log Homes

 

6. Hearthstone Homes

Hearthstone Homes

 

7. Woodhaven Log and Lumber

Woodhaven Log Homes

 

8. True North Log Homes

True North Log Homes

 

9. Blue Ridge Log Cabins

BlueRidgeHome1

 

10. Sierra Log Homes

Sierra Log Home

 

11. Katahdin Log Homes

KatahdinHome1

 

12. Appalachian Log Homes

Appalachian Log Home

 

13. Fairview Log Homes

Fairview Log Homes

 

14. Wildwood Log Homes

 

15. Strongwood Log Homes

strongwoodhome

 

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Project Spotlight

Project Spotlight

Do you have an old stain that doesn't really show the warmth and beauty your home deserves? Ready to restore it to its natural look? It's easy to start by stripping old finishes using StripIt or S-100. Check Out This Video...

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Dealer Locator

Find a Dealer:

Enter your address or zip code to find a dealer near you.

Home Address

For United States & Canada

International Distribution:

CANADA

Eastern Canada
CANADIAN LOG HOME SUPPLY - www.canadianloghomesupply.com
Phone: 1-800-746-7773

Western Canada
BROCK WHITE – ca.brockwhite.com
Phone: 1-877-846-7502

CANADA'S LOG and WOOD HOME STORE  - www.loghomestore.ca
Phone: 1-877-659-2682

EUROPE

Finland
LOG HOUSE CENTER OU www.permachink.ee/fi

Estonia
LOG HOUSE CENTER OU www.permachink.ee/ee
Phone: + 372-520-5630

UK-England
BRITISH LOG CABINS http://www.britishlogcabins.com
Phone: + 01694 781 399

PERMACHINK UK https://permachink.co.uk/
Phone: +44(0)7875 655 255

ASIA

Korea
ELTHUS T&L www.elthus.co.kr

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Sunlight Estates

Sunlight Estates

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.permachink.com/blog/michael/page-38?start=330#sigProIdacdae3c6bf

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Log Home Interiors

Log Home Interiors

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Page 38 of 48
New Age Blast Media Available Sizes

New Age Blast Media Available Sizes

Call 1-800-548-3554 to Order

Features

  • Made from recycled glass
  • Superior to corn, walnut, sand or soda media

Resource Links

50-pound Bag

50-pound Bag

$26.99

Call 1-800-548-3554 to Order

Restoration FAQ

If your log home has an unknown finish, it's best to take it down to bare wood. If you know that it's been finished with Perma-Chink Systems products, you can clean and reapply finish or topcoat. For the best products to use, read this.

Restoration Reviews

Our contractor used the Strip-It product on the log home that we recently purchased. He used an airless sprayer and then pressure washed the home. It did a great job of removing the dark paint on it. Soon, we will be applying your Ultra-2 stain and Advance topcoat. We couldn't be more pleased with how our project is going so far, so thank you Perma-Chink!
Myra
We received your samples of S-100 and Strip-It to try on our logs. Strip-It worked the best as our finish remover. We were able to leave it on overnight and we used a pressure washer to remove the old finish the next day. Now we are continuing the restoration process and are planning on using more products from Perma-Chink Systems.
Roosevelt
I found this product to be fairly easy to work with. Our home had a couple of places where animals had chewed on the logs in the past, so we wanted to fill in those areas. We cleaned those areas up, then applied a little M-Balm, and then put the E-Wood right on top of it. We had to sand it down a little, but it does look pretty good so far. We are going to stain over it soon.
Cecily
As a log home restoration company, E-Wood is used in many applications for restoration. We use it on broken or cracked wood, and fill in where knots have fallen out of pine boards. It is easy to use: Mix equal parts with your hands (use gloves), shape and apply to affected area. Let dry, sand and stain. It does not shrink or pull away. It is a good product: Thank you, Perma-Chink!
Stuart

Restoration News

About M-Balm & E-Wood Epoxies

Media Blasting Versus Chemical Stripping

About Pressure Washing

How to Repair Large Voids in Logs