THE COST:

Below are prices for the materials to do the work yourself. If you would like us to do the work for you, we can provide you with a ballpark price. For a 24' x 40', 1-1/2 story log home, the estimated cost for pressure washing is $550.00, and $1600.00 to stain with TWP (see below). As for the caulking, the general cost for that is $2200.00 for a new application.

To get a quote for us to do the work for you, email or mail us pictures of your project. We need a panoramic view of all 4 sides of the house, to give us a sense of the landscape and overall scope of the project. Then a few close up shots of an area under cover (such as porch or roof overhang) and an area out in the open. We will then send you a quote. On rare occasion, we may need to make a site visit to provide you with a quote, but the pictures are a good place to start.

The best time to do the pressure washing and staining is in the summer. It will generally take 1-2weeks to complete the project from pressure washing to staining.

The caulking is usually done in the spring or fall. The reason is that the air is less humid and the logs are dryer, causing them to "shrink". This allows us to see the true gaps that might be there in the winter, thus increasing the benefit you will see from caulking.

Cleaning the logs

In all cases, we recommend cleaning to logs with a solution of 1/3 household bleach to 2/3 parts water. This will rinse off dirt, mold, glazed and just as importantly the graying that has occurred.. We use a garden pump sprayer to saturate the log wall. The bleach is applied from the bottom log up to the top log.

This is followed by power washing and thorough rinsing with plain water. The rinsing process is done doing the reverse of when the bleach is applied. Rinsing is done from the top log working your way down to the bottom log.

We recommend removing the screens for this phase. There is a significant amount of wood pulp like material that develops as a result of the bleaching and power washing. This can be quite a chore to remove after things dry, especially if it gathers in the screening.

We also ask that someone be home the day we power wash to monitor inside for water leaks. Although every effort is made to direct the water pressure at an angle to minimize the amount of water penetration if the home has not been caulked.

Staining/Preserving

Most people who purchase or build log homes, want them to look just like they did when they were first built.  Unfortunately, this will not happen without ongoing maintenance.  The amount of maintenance will be directly related to the type of finish applied.

As a company, we have found a sensible approach and practical cost effective means of protecting your investment.  Unfinished logs are subject to weathering (from sunlight and rain) and fungi that attach wood surfaces causing mold and mildew.  The finish applied should protect against all these elements to be successful.  It must contain a pigment if you want to prevent the wood from graying.  Clear finishes will not prevent graying.

see MSDS

5 gallon-$150.00

1 gallon-$ 30.00

5 gallon-$160.00

1 gallon-$ 32.00

History has shown that most wood stains, water repellants and preservatives last only 7-18 months before mildew and weathering begins.  Most log home owners report their disappointment in finishes they have tried.  Most indicate that they are refinishing annually to maintain the original wood color.  That’s no fun!

One product has withstood the test of time in our opinion.  We have been using TWP® 500 series form over 10 years now.  The company started out with TWP® 100 series, and now has developed the new series. There is one main difference, TWP® 500 series contains approximately twice the solids.

Drying time of TWP® 500 series is longer, therefore, we recommend only one coat on horizontal surfaces.  TWP® 500 series is a proven high quality product designed to beautify and preserve wood. Customers will appreciate TWP® 500 series as it is providing a healthier environment by reducing air pollution.

If you have a solid finish or paint that has been applied to your log home and you want to get it back to bare wood, the Blaster-Buddy finish removing system is the easiest and safest method of removing old finishes from your log home. Your home will be clean, dry and ready to apply beautiful new coats of stains and finishes.

Features and Statistics

• Environmentally friendly
• No water is used - no water gets into your walls
• No caustic strippers and no chemicals
• Clean up is simple - residual materials are bio-degradable
• Once blasting is completed, you are ready to apply a preservative or stain

The abrasive media used by the Blaster-Buddy is specially sized corncob grit. The low mass and high velocity of the grit striking the surface removes the finish with minimum damage to the wood. The Corncob Blast Media comes in two sizes, fine for most stain removal jobs and medium for difficult jobs. Both sizes are available in 40-pound bags.
One bag will typically clean about 75 to 200 square feet of surface area depending on the condition of the finish to be removed, age of the wood and wood characteristics.

Sealing Log Joints with Caulking-Puttylastic

The "grand-daddy" of log home construction caulks.

Sealing log homes for almost three decades!

What is Puttylastic?
Puttylastic is an excellent, all-weather log home construction caulk. Unlike other caulks, it is not as sensitive to adverse weather conditions, has better tube stability, and possesses qualities that are more suited to the unique nature of log homes. Puttylastic is designed to "cure" extremely slow. Its distinguishing feature is its ability to provide a soft, mobile seal.

There are no copycats -- PuttyIastic is one of a kind!
We challenge you to find a caulk similar to Puttylastic. Very simply you won't! Puttylastic is unique because it is composed of special types of polymer resins that are manufactured according to Continental's particular specifications. These resins are extracted from trees and other natual sources to produce a caulk that is perfectly suited for log homes. Additionally, synthetic polymers, plastic fibers, and other additives are included to further enhance Puttylastic's unique sealing properties.

The Puttylastic Difference -- "The Soft Seal"
When a proper size and shape bead is used (approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inches round), Puttylastic will remain in a soft, semi-fluid state for years. This distinctive characteristic is why Puttylastic is referred to as "the soft seal". Because it stays soft, Puttylastic can adjust to the stress and tension of log movement. Many rubberized caulks used for log construction create a glue-like bond that can cause or aggravate stress cracks on the log surface. But because of its semi-fluid nature, Puttylastic yields to log movement without creating undue stress within the log.

Puttylastic won't obstruct the "memory"' of Log Foam Gaskets.
Memory, which is the ability of a compressed foam product to expand and contract to its original uncompressed state, is critical to the sealing success of a foam gasket. Puttylastic can come in contact with most foam gaskets without hindering the foam's memory. Most caulks, when applied alongside a foam gasket, set up to a hard cure which in turn can restrict the expansion of the compressed foam and render it ineffective. Not with Puttylastic! Because Puttylastic will remain soft and mobile for an extended period of time, it won't harden and glue the foam gasket in a set position. Thus, proper expansion of the foam during log movement can occur. As a result, both the foam and Puttylastic will work together to provide a superior sealing system.

Puttylastic does not require any critical surface preparation.
When building a log home, care should be taken to keep the log surface free of debris. However, Puttylastic doesn't require any special type of surface preparation to achieve good adhesion. Surface primers on the wood are not required before caulking, nor will minor surface dampness affect its adhering qualities.

Puttylastic is very user friendly at the job site.
Puttylastic can be used in colder and more adverse weather conditions without affecting its sealing properties. Should it rain or snow during construction, Puttylastic will not wash off, stain the logs, or lose its sealing properties. Thus, it is a more practical and effective caulk for use in the real world conditions of the job site.

Freeze/thaw cycles won't affect Puttylastic.
Freezing cold temperatures will not damage Puttylastic. Water-based latex caulks can't handle many freeze/thaw cycles without incurring permanent damage to the material. Puttylastic, however, can be stored in a minimally heated warehouse without harm or concern.

How long will Puttylastic last in the tube?
Stored under proper conditions, the shelf life of Puttylastic is up to three years. With Puttylastic, there's no need to worry about inventory concerns due to a limited shelf life of the caulk. Plus, job delays and money wasted on tube stability problems are virtually eliminated.

Used successfully since 1974!
Puttylastic has been used to seal tens of thousands of log homes since 1974. Its success is based on empirical, real world information, not theoretical laboratory data that has no direct relationship with log homes. Puttylastic's reputation has been built on a foundation that spans over two decades of sealing log homes

<<see Puttylastic MSDS sheet

Follower Plate

$22.00 each

replaces the lid on the 5 gallon pail. The gun screws into the center outlet, making it easier to fill the gun

Bulk caulking gun

$44.00 each

use with 5 gallon pail

1/10th tube- $6.00 each, Shipped in boxes of 10

Qt.tubes- $13.00 each, Shipped in boxes of 12

5 gallon pail- $175.00 each

Note: There is a $25.00 shipping and handling fee per 5 gallon pail for drop shipment from company

Payment must be received in the office prior to shipping of any products.

The photo on the left is a sample of the caulking application; a1/4" bead is placed in the joint space, with the goal of achieving a 2 point contact- the edge of the log below and the edge of the log above.

The process of tooling completes the project- this is done running the tip of your finger that is wet with a soapy solution (liquid dishsoap works well) across the bead of caulk to smooth it out. It does not work to completely fill the space with caulk, the two point contact is key!

• is a closed cell polyethylene backer rod serving as a backing for elastomeric and other applied caulking sealants when joints spaces are extreme
• we also use it on the inside to create a visual barrier to the exterior caulking, as well as create a dead air space to increase

  the energy efficiency of the home
• controls the depth and amount of sealant required.
• is continuous lengths of flexible, round, closed cell polyethylene.
• is black in color
• is chemically inert, resists oil, gasoline and most solvents.
• is odorless and will not stain.
• is easily inserted into the log space using a butter knife or putty knife

3/8"- $0.10/lineal foot

5/8"-$0.15 /lineal foot

7/8"-$0.20/lineal foot