Something is rotten here, that is for sure. My front log wall, under my giant bay windows, was mysteriously covered with a couple of new barn boards when I first arrived. I gave it not much thought, nor did my inspector, but it turns out I should have questioned such.
During the winter, there were drafts upon that wall, and at times the wall itself would move under the heavy strain of our unrelenting winds. It is ‘sealing month’ for me. Tightening up this summer only home and fixing all that I learned was leaking last year. I want a tighter house, a warmer house, less energy spent upon the heating process.
Removing the first barn board showed a myriad of patch work, which was expected upon the west facing wall of a thirty five year old house. Removing the second board, however, yielded an ugly hole. A three inch wide by twelve inch long hole of rot, long standing rot. Rot that has been haphazardly attempted to be repaired by shoving 1×6 lumber into the rot, gaining nothing, but making things worse. I surely do need a cross stabilizing brace for this unstable wall, but I first need something for said wall to adhere to.
Upon reviewing this image, I am amazed the windows haven’t fallen out, and that only one has cracked thus far.