If repairing or replacing old chinking:
- Remove any crumbling or cracked mortar. Mortar that’s still intact can stay as long as it looks good and there’s no rot under it.
- Sand down the joints to remove loose, unsound wood fibers. Those wood fibers will interfere with adhesion of other products (stains and chinking) that are applied.
- Stain the joints with a compatible finish. ...
What is chinking repair and how is it done?
When we speak of chinking repair, typically we are referring to older cement paste chinking, as most modem synthetic chinking isn’t 30 years old. The most common form of chinking maintenance is for sealing smaller gaps, splits or cracks in the logs. These defects are known in the industry as “checking”.
Is it possible to repair chinking in a log home?
Since not all chinking products are created equal, however, choosing an inferior material can demand repair and replacement down the road. Follow this guide to chinking repair, removal, and reapplication, and learn how to perform log home maintenance that lasts.
How do you fix chinking in a chimney?
Start the repair process by removing all loose pieces of chinking and cleaning and sanding the areas where you've removed old chinking. If not all pieces of the old product separate from the joint easily, leave the old chinking in place and use as many backing rods as necessary to create clean surfaces for the replacement product.
How do you chink wood with a chinking gun?
Load your chinking gun with chinking material. Use a half-inch nozzle. With slow and even pressure, apply chinking material wherever it has pulled away from the logs. Be careful to apply the chinking material in a modest, even layer.
Can you use caulking for chinking?
Log Jam and Chinker's Edge are both excellent chinking products. “Caulking” is a similar material to “chinking”, but usually has no texture or a very light texture. Caulking also generally has more elasticity than chinking products. Because of this, caulking works better in smaller joints (i.e. ¼” to 2” wide).
What product is used for chinking?
Perma-Chink is the most widely used chinking product in the world today. It's been around for nearly 40 years and the market has shown it is the best chinking product by every construction measure.
Can you use grout for chinking?
Chinking using a grout bag. Another low cost method is to use a grout bag or cake decorating bag to apply the chinking. Just make sure that you pay extra attention; sometimes the nozzle of the grout bag can get to wide for the tight spots.
How do I fill gaps between logs?
Typically, if the span or depth between the logs is less than 1 inch then caulking should be used. Caulking can also be used to fill checks (i.e. horizontal cracks) in logs too. If the span or depth between the logs is greater than 1 inch then it's time to use chinking.
What is modern chinking made of?
Chinking today is made of an acrylic elastic compound with special components that allow it to adhere to the logs and flex with the log movement. This new synthetic chinking is often called Elastomeric chinking and does not chip like cement mortar.
What did pioneers use for chinking?
Chinking was often made of mud, clay, sand, mixed with water (or “spit” as some pioneer recipes called for), hog, goat or cow hair, corn cobs or husks, grass, hemp, or oakum (frayed rope), or even livestock manure or buffalo chips. (12) Shake shingles were often used to roof cabins.
What is log home chinking made of?
What is chinking made of? Traditionally chinking was a mixture of clay, lime and sand with variations based on what was locally available. Nowdays, it's usually an acrylic elastic compound that adheres to the logs and can stretch and contract as the logs settle and move seasonally.
What should I use to fill cracks in log cabin?
Apply a good quality, siliconized latex caulk (not pure silicon) into the check, bringing it out close, but not even with the surface of the log. Skim off the excess caulking with your finger or a putty knife, making sure the caulking makes a strong, consistent contact with the top and bottom of the crack.
What is the filler between logs log cabin?
0:2210:37How To Chink a Log Cabin - Handmade House TV #29 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBehind me you can see the logs in that space in between them. That's filled in the tan color isMoreBehind me you can see the logs in that space in between them. That's filled in the tan color is known as chinking. And it's chinking is though is one of the most important ingredients. We have in the
How do you fix gaps in a log cabin?
Gaps between logs: Gaps appearing between logs can be resolved by knocking the logs up from the bottom evenly spacing the logs to close the gap. Doors / Windows: Gaps appearing above your doors or above the windows.
How do you fill large gaps in wood?
If you take your time, you will get completely smooth surface where you once had a large gap.Step 1 - Prep the surface. The first stage of any decorating project is preparation. ... Step 2 - Applying the wood filler. ... Step 3 - Allow the wood filler to dry. ... Step 4 - Sand the filler down. ... Step 5 - Apply your wood finish.
What is the difference between chinking and caulking?
The main difference between chinking and caulking is texture and elasticity. Caulking is more elastic than chinking and has no texture or very light texture; while chinking comes in various colors or textures. Due to higher elasticity caulking is a great option for using it in smaller joints (i.e. ¼” to 2” wide).
Can I put grout in a caulking gun?
0:412:32How to make a grout gun (caulking gun) mortar pointing gun. The Best ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn. Now we've got a grouting gun and it's been filled up and ready to.MoreOn. Now we've got a grouting gun and it's been filled up and ready to.
Can you pipe grout?
0:542:16DIY How to Grout w ZIPLOC Bag Hack Perfect Lines Everytime ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay using the bag you're just squeezing in the grout. So you're able to get a nice clear line andMoreOkay using the bag you're just squeezing in the grout. So you're able to get a nice clear line and you're just going to wipe off the excess. So filling the top of one of the other sides of the shower.
What is a grout pen?
Grout pens add a thin waterproof coating directly over the existing grout lines between tiles. This coating can be tinted to match the current color of your grout so everything looks neat and cohesive. This coloring is applied using a small container that looks like a thick marker or pen.
What is epoxy grout?
Epoxy grout is a unique and popular grout for tiling that does not use Portland cement or water in the mixing process. It features a hardener, pigments, epoxy resin, and silica fillers. Epoxy grout is less porous compared to the cementitious grout.
How to get chinking out of logs?
Use a paper towel to remove any excess chinking material that may gather around the area. Lightly spray the chinking with the water and alcohol mixture, and use your finger to smooth the chinking into the crack between the logs.
Do you need to chink a log home?
Owning a log home requires occasional maintenance — especially with your log home’s chinking. You can save yourself time and money on repeated maintenance by using proper troweling technique when you’re chinking, and by not using too much water or alcohol in the solution so it bonds properly to the wood. However, sometimes your chinking pulls away ...
Chinking Repair - Removal
Just because old chinking might be deteriorating, it doesn’t mean it has to be completely eliminated. Advanced chinking products can be applied over existing chinking but you need to make sure the new chink joint is wider than the existing chinking. This will offer optimal adhesion on clean, bare surfaces.
Chinking Repair - Applying the Chinking
There are several tools that can be used for chink application: 1) a bulk chink gun and 2) applicator bags. When using the bulk chink gun, the follow plate is placed in the open pail which will prevent any cleaning of the gun after each load. Applying chinking material is very easy via the gun.
Rips and Tears
Occasionally rips and tears form in Perma-Chink®, especially in new homes that have been constructed with fairly green wood. Most of the time these tears appear on the top edge of the chink joint.
Blisters
There are several causes of blisters forming in uncured chinking. The first is whenever chinking is applied in hot, direct sunlight. The surface quickly skins over, preventing the water vapor from escaping from the underlying material.
How wide should a chinking joint be?
A tiny 1/8" wide joint does not accommodate enough caulk to both adhere to the sides of the joint and leave enough in the middle the stretch properly. Or, as is the case with big round logs, a small 1/2" bead isn't wide enough to accommodate the shrinkage and movement those big logs undergo. Try to apply enough caulk from the get-go, but understand that there may be some repairs to do when you can't. With chinking in particular, we always recommend a chinking width that is at least 15% of the log diameter. If you prefer something more narrow, just be prepared to do repairs, especially early on.
How to avoid caulking joints?
Avoid this by inserting backer rod (foam rope, widely available at hardware stores) into any joint that is 1/4" wide and 1/2" deep or larger.
Why do I have to stress caulk?
If the surfaces the caulk was applied to undergo extreme or sudden movement, it can cause the caulk to get stressed. It relieves that stress by splitting down the middle. This is often the case with caulk is applied indoors during the winter, before the heat is turned on. When the heat is turned on, it causes the surfaces to move a lot and quickly, stressing the caulk line and causing some splits. This is also very common on new log homes that are still acclimating to their new environment. On the interior, run a humidifier to help reduce the rate at which the logs dry out.
Can you apply caulk in freezing temps?
Caulk applied in freezing temps or hot temps can't properly cure and form all of its necessary chemical crosslinks that allow it to stretch and adhere correctly. Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer's application instructions where it states the type of temps you need during application.
What is chinking made of?
cabins built from scratch). Synthetic chinking is made from either acrylic or petrochemical elastic compounds which have the ability to expand and contract with your logs.
What type of chinking do you use for a log cabin?
From experience, log cabin kits use synthetic chinking and self-build cabin owners use mortar chinking. Whichever chinking you decide upon, it must have good elastic properties. Understanding that your cabin will settle and planning for it with flexible chinking is important.
What is chinking in log cabins?
Chinking is the material that fits between the imperfect joints of logs to ensure a “seal” from external elements (e.g. rain, snow and sleet) whilst eliminating heat loss and air infiltration.
How wide is a chinking log?
6” or more diameter) and is compatible with most notching techniques (e.g. traditional and dovetail). Chinking can fill a span from 1 to 5 inches in width.
What is a backer rod?
A backer-rod, or homemade substitute, provides a “bond breaker” which provides a surface the chinking won’t adhere to. A backer-rod allows the chinking to only adhere to 2 surfaces (i.e. the top and bottom log) providing more elasticity and movement in 2 dimensions as opposed to 3.
What is caulking used for?
However, caulking is exclusively used for smaller logs (e.g. 6” or less in diameter) or for smaller gaps between logs. Typically, if the span or depth between the logs is less than 1 inch then caulking should be used. Caulking can also be used to fill checks (i.e. horizontal cracks) in logs too.
How much does it cost to chink a log cabin?
For a typical log cabin, you shouldn’t expect to chink more than 4 gallons per year which will cost roughly $200 for synthetic chinking. If when repairing your cabin’s chinking, you aren’t looking at checking, what you are probably seeing is failing chinking. If your chinking has failed.
