Log Homes >> Cracks/Checks

Cracks in Your Log Home, Should You Worry?

Cracks, or "checks" as they are technically called, in your log home or log cabin are quite natural. They happen as a part of the drying process in logs.

You'll typically experience checking indoors the first year after your log home is built, during the first heating season. Likewise, heat, in the form of sunlight, can cause checking to occur outdoors in areas where the logs are frequently exposed to sunlight.

Some species of wood are more susceptible to cracks than others. However, even large cracks don't pose a structural risk. They are simply a part of the log drying process and should be expected in log homes and other log buildings.

However, checks that appear outdoors, especially those that face upward, should be sealed in order to prevent moisture from gathering in them as this could damage the wood prematurely.