Chinking a Chinkless Cabin

[gknight]

Hello,
I need some advice on chinking. I have just taken over the family cottage and I am struggling to make it warmer in the winter. I was going to chink it, but my Dad thinks that is heresy. He says that it is a Scandinavian style cabin and that if I chink it, it won't be authentic and won't be as valuable if I ever sell it. Furthermore, he says that moisture will become trapped in the walls and cause them to rot. Is there any validity to these concerns? After reading through the forums on this site, I am pretty sure that it is actually a Canadian chinkless cabin. It was made by a builder a mile down the road and then reassembled in place 20 years ago. The walls have settled about 1 foot and many cracks have opened up, creating serious drafts. If I do chink it, what kind of chinking would you recommend? Thanks for your help.

[rreidnauer]

Well, your dad is probably correct about value and rot, at least in some part. He's probably thinking of synthetic chinking, which would probably trap more moisture than it would keep out, and rot would set in to the scribed portion of the logs. Also, caulking (because that's what it really would be) the seams would be one of those things like ClaireNJ's house was when she first got it, where the previous owner painted over the beautiful red pine logs with some nasty, brown paint. It's just not a good thing to do, and will only hurt the value as an obvious (and improper) attempt at a repair.

I'm sorry to say that I don't have a solution for you, but I do side with your father on this one. I would suggest seeking out advice from a company who specializes in scribed log RESTORATION. (notice I don't say scribe log construction)

Best wishes on your endeavor. Let us know how you make out.

[gknight]

Thanks for the quick response. Hopefully I can find a restoration specialist that can help me. At least now I know that this is an actual concern. I will keep you posted with what I come up with. It might even be that I leave it as is. The place was originally intended to be just seasonal and maybe it will have to stay that way. Thanks again.

[GT.]

Here are some "chinking" pictures of chinkless cabins

http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/

[Waldo]

It looks great ,how did you do it

[mphillips]

Interesting material! What is it, wool?

[mphillips]

I too, have a Scandinavian scribe style home. I had mine made of douglas fir and I love it. After settling for the last six years and adjusting the the springs on the thru- rods every four months. I think it is almost done shrinking. There are places at the saddle notches where light can be seen when the sun is just right! Also Doug fir twists no madder how tight the springs are-so I want to warm it up a bit and make it more efficient. We heat with a masonry wood stove and radiant floor backup. Last season the wind was unreal here, so I'd like to chink it. I was just going to do the Sashco or Perma-chink but after reading about moisture and the "sin" of putting chinking on a scribe home, I'm more confused than ever. Can anyone tell me a breathable alternative? I see this brown wool looking material but I don't know what it is. Thanks for any help in advance.

[StressMan79]

Oakum can be jammed in to any gaps, says dick proenekke "any gap I could get a table knife through got oakum"
alternatively, you could take the house apart and rescribe the logs to fit right.
-Peter

[mphillips]

Thanks Peter, Is that what is in GT.'s pictures? Is there a special type of oakum that doesn't stain logs from the tar?
Mark

[StressMan79]

it looks like GT is using some synthetic backer and maybe a permachink type over the top. I would shy away from this type of solution. The tar on the oakum would be a concern. You may put some murphy's oil soap down before trying anything, that will give you a barrier against the staining that can be washed away with water once done. the oil soap is not perfect, but that is what I would try.
Disclaimer, I am a log home afficianado, but have no experience with chinkless log homes. I have quite a bit of experience with logs and BnP cabins. Take my advice with a grain of salt. In otherwords, YMMV.

[mphillips]

Hello GT,
Could you tell the material you are using here in your pictures?
Thanks,
Mark

[GT.]

Yes, material used<a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/P8190011.jpg?t=1281059082"> to chink</a> log homes is <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/paklia2.jpg?t=1281058978">oakum</a> (hemp fiber). It is <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/65041831.jpg?t=1281058893">used </a>in Russia for thousands years in log homes without any problems. <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/moh_krasnyiV.jpg?t=1281058608">Another</a> <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/mox.jpg?t=1281058653">material</a>, which is much better, is <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/whatis2.jpg?t=1281058485">sphagnum</a> <a href="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/konopat/normal_p9040191.jpg?t=1281058553">moss</a>.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wIwFwjWFaA&amp;feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylEDmEMAvvc&amp;feature=related

[mphillips]

Thank you GT. I went to the Konopatka site! Very cool stuff however Russian is not my strongest language, so I couldn't read it. Any Ideas where to buy the hemp fiber here in the USA? Or is it outlawed? It looks as though they are using untreated fiber, all the "oakum" I find on the web for sale is treated with tar or the like. Also, I imagine the chisel they are using is blunted, as to not cut the fiber. Very cool, "green", breathable material! Won't have to work out the upper body at the gym either... Sphagnum moss is also interesting but I'm not into shag carpeted exterior walls! Thanks again, always so much more to learn, every day
Thanks Mark

[Timber]

Hemp-I have used it before placing huge plaster decorations on walls-in-case of an earthquake they would not fall and hit someone. We used mortar with it.I believe its the same material your looking for-Westwood building materials carries it here in CA. The material yard caters to plastering and drywall contractors. (310) 643-9158 in case you need a comparision on prices--I believe they sell it by the bale--not sure

[BamaOttawaNF]

I found oil soaked rope (hemp I think) in the old hardware plumbing section and it also pulls apart into three pieces for tighter areas. I am adding to cracks on the inside, but have I chicking on the outside (rough after 85yrs).