Do It Yourself Log Home Inspection Washington DC

There is nothing more welcoming than living in a rustic log home. Whether you choose it as a home away from home or as your permanent space to return to everyday, log homes have all the charm and coziness that make it easy enough to go home and shut out the world behind you.

Purchasing a log home can be a daunting task, especially if you want to see more than four houses or more in a week before you make your decision. Usually a certified log inspector is the person that you would consult with when you are going to inspect your log home. However the reality is that if you have to see close to seven log homes in a week, he may not be able to tag along with you on every appointment. For those that the inspector cannot see, you can take matters in your own hands by following our comprehensive log inspection checklist.

The first thing that you would want to do when you arrive at your prospective log home is to seek out its exterior. Since water can be a log home’s worst nightmare, one need to ensure that rain is never an issue. So the first thing you would want to check the roof to try to get an idea of where the water would land from the roof should it rain profusely. One way in which you can do this is by having someone go up on the roof and let some water run from the roof. This test would tell you if the water that drops is causing a backsplash problem below.

Most log house roofs are supposed to have an overhang of 18 inches or more in order to avoid water from falling on the surface below. Prime suspects of backsplash problems include propane tanks, decks, landscaping or even other objects that are close by. Your best bet to avoid the backsplash problem is by clearing your ground space for up to 12 inches so that the water can fall freely below and just run off.

In addition, thoroughly check the roof to see if it is uneven or not set properly. Usually humps and dips would indicate that your roof is uneven. Find out from the current homeowner about the last time he has upgraded the roofing. You should also check to see if the guttering work has been updated as well and if it’s in pristine condition. While you are on the roof, you should also check other problems that may have been caused by water. These including cracks in the logs, peeling, mold and mildew.

Once inside the home, it would be a good idea to inspect the windows and doors to see if they are working properly as well as check to see if there is water stains on the surface to ensure that there are no caulking problems. Small holes could very well indicate a termite or other like insect problem in your prospective home so you should also be on the lookout for this. Finally, if the home has a basement you should check for molding problems and to see if it has a proper drainage system. If while down in the basement you notice a musty odor then it could mean that the basement has been subjected to a lot of water leaks.

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Montgomery Mechanical Services

(301) 808-8000
1420 Ritchie Marlboro Road
Washington, DC