Screw Jacks Advice- Log Home

[thance]

I know screw jacks are (fairly) common in log homes, but shouldn't they be better supported to the posts they supporting? This one, and others, aren't even bolted to the columns they support and we're in WA, a seismic zone. It doesn't seem right.

Also, how would you advise your clients regarding screw jacks in their crawl space? Log home built in 2001. Thanks very much.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

They'll rust out in time in a CS.

"A portion of the floor structure was supported by various make-shift piers. Those floor supports exhibit poor workmanship are thought to be inadequate to provide permanent support to the floors. It is recommended that a competent and licensed general contractor or foundation specialist be consulted to provide a further evaluation of the adequacy of the floor supports and make necessary repairs."

[thance]

Thanks very much Joe.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Tim, many times there are no engineering specs for this type of thing and even if they existed originally, they're often long gone by the time an inspector arrives.

In log homes, if it looks unsafe, call it out. If you're wrong, you can explain that without engineering specs on hand to confirm proper installation, you have to err on the safe side. However if you don't call it out and you're wrong, it could be a bad scene.

[thance]

Thanks very much, Kenton. I just finished your log homes course and it was amazing! Thanks for putting such a great effort into making a top-notch class for all of us. It's much appreciated.

--
Tim Hance
All Islands Home Inspections

[Nick Gromicko]

If I forgot to say it Kenton... very nice work.

http://www.nachi.org/loghomecoursereleased2008.htm

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Thanks guys, my pleasure.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by kshepard

Thanks guys, my pleasure.

Absolutely, an outstanding course.

[Charles R. N. Crooker]

Originally Posted by kshepard

Thanks guys, my pleasure.

Kenton have you seen log homes built like this,note the logs, no basement, just Crawl space , Thanx http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=6759653

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by ccrooker

Kenton have you seen log homes built like this,note the logs, no basement, just Crawl space , Thanx http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.as...ertyID=6759653

The biggest issue with the verticle log wall construction, that I have found, is rot at the bottom of the wall from moisture wicking up into the end grain of the logs.

[Charles R. N. Crooker]

Originally Posted by lkage

The biggest issue with the verticle log wall construction, that I have found, is rot at the bottom of the wall from moisture wicking up into the end grain of the logs.

Now the walls of log homes will rise and lower with the moisture content, this is why you have loops in the plumbing and expansion jonts in duct work and dove tails in the cabinets, what would happen with the logs verticle??

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by ccrooker

Now the walls of log homes will rise and lower with the moisture content, this is why you have loops in the plumbing and expansion jonts in duct work and dove tails in the cabinets, what would happen with the logs verticle??

Logs are considered green if they have a moisture content greeater than 19%. Logs loose moisture, shrink and settle and, if verticle logs rot at the bottom, they will settle proportionately.
You may enjoy the Log Home course Kenton Shepard put together for much more info:

http://www.nachi.org:80/loghomecoursereleased2008.htm

[Charles R. N. Crooker]

Originally Posted by lkage

Logs are considered green if they have a moisture content greeater than 19%. Logs loose moisture, shrink and settle and, if verticle logs rot at the bottom, they will settle proportionately.
You may enjoy the Log Home course Kenton Shepard put together for much more info:

http://www.nachi.org:80/loghomecoursereleased2008.htm

All I could find is http://www.verticalloghomes.com/index.html

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by ccrooker

Now the walls of log homes will rise and lower with the moisture content, this is why you have loops in the plumbing and expansion jonts in duct work and dove tails in the cabinets, what would happen with the logs verticle??

Horizontal logs settle because log shrink as they dry. They never rise. Rigid building components affected by this settling must use some method to accommodate it or they'll bend or break.

No cabinet dovetails, never heard of that.

Larry has a good point. End grain of the logs will wick moisture and decay may take place unless some method has been used to prevent it. How will you know? Often, you can't see it. If logs happen to be dry at the time of the inspection, a moisture meter may not pick up moisture or decay hidden in the logs. Better DISCLAIM IT, Charles. The InterNACHI contract has a clause which covers decay hidden in logs.

How are those logs sealed agains air leakage and moisture intrusion? Check for gaps! Structurally, what provides shear strength for those walls?

[Charles R. N. Crooker]

[quote=kshepard]Horizontal logs settle because log shrink as they dry. They never rise. Rigid building components affected by this settling must use some method to accommodate it or they'll bend or break. So they shrink and bing vertical would this not lead to large gaps in the walls?

No cabinet dovetails, never heard of that. The cabinets are screwed to the logs and if one log shrinks more then the others you are going to have a problem with the cabinets, ?
Larry has a good point. End grain of the logs will wick moisture and decay may take place unless some method has been used to prevent it. How will you know? No idea. Often, you can't see it. If logs happen to be dry at the time of the inspection, a moisture meter may not pick up moisture or decay hidden in the logs. Better DISCLAIM IT, Charles. The InterNACHI contract has a clause which covers decay hidden in logs. thanx

How are those logs sealed agains air leakage and moisture intrusion? Check for gaps! Structurally, what provides shear strength for those walls?Anyone have an answer for this??[/quote] Thanx