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Are garden timber cabins rainproof is a query we got asked all the time here at garden log cabins .

The brief simple answer to your question is an unqualified yes!

Why would they not be?

Well,let’s take a look at some of the practical complications with a log cabin which would make the timber cabin not rainproof and fairly honestly not fit for purpose.The main thing to appear at immediately is the roof,that’s where you would imagine the main trouble would begin (this is not always the scenario but that’s where we will begin today). The main trouble with the roof would be to have the felt or shingling to not be placed correctly. This is fairly easily done if this is something you have never done before and why it should always be undertaken by an expert most especially if you are investing a lot of your hard earned money on a log cabin.

• Make sure that the overlaps are overlapping in the correct way. You should always begin felting at the bottom of the construction and felt upwards. By doing this you ensure that the felt overlaps on top of the piece of felt that is further down the roof. This will ensure there is a natural run off of the water,if you begin felting at the top of the roof and you put the overlap from the bottom pieces over the top of the felt higher up when the rain works off it will operate under the felt and therefor create a leak. This is just exactly the same when doing shingles,make sure you mount from bottom upwards.

• Make sure the overlaps of the felt/shingles are fairly generous. You don’t want them to be just barely overlapping because this could create rain to get between the felt sheets and this will create a leak

.• Make sure you use more than enough felt nails. Ideally you want to be spacing the felt nails around 6 inches apart from each other. Always do this on both sides of the felt and dependent on the quality of the felt you are using possibly put another row of attach in the middle,possibly two rows but again this depends on the quality of the felt. Failure to put enough felt attach in there could result in the felt blowing off during a bad storm which would then leave your construction exposed to leakages.

• It is in addition vital that when you reach the overhang of the construction with the felt you nail the felt to side of the roof but DO NOT tuck the felt under the overhang of the roof as this limits the natural run off of the water. This can create premature rotting of the construction and in some situations create the roof to leak around the top corners of the construction as water could build up.

• Make sure you use the right size fixings. If the roof boards on your construction are let’s say 10mm,you don’t want felt nails of 16mm. Doing this would create the felt nails to come completely through the roof. This would not appear cosmetically pleasing and would in addition be a real option of a leak in the construction. They way felt is now designed,there should be a watertight seal around the nail but throughout the seasons with wear and tear this may fail resulting in a leak.

• The most typically neglected area on a log cabin construction is the felt or shingles on the roof. This is mainly because we can’t see it most of the time and it’s a lot more difficult to get up there and have a look,but this is just exactly what you should do and I would suggest at least once a year or if you notice a leak. Because timber cabins are not built as high as the normal house and the felt and shingles aren’t fairly as tough and resilient as a typical house tile they require a little more attention. They are exposed to more elements on a daily basis because they are lower,this can result in a number of things from falling debris from trees,or another good example would be a kids’s toys getting thrown up there which would all create damage to the felt/shingles. Not to mention lots of bird excrement can rot the felt if it is in an area where natural rain can not penetrate it to create a natural run off and cleaning system (for good example if your timber cabin sits under a tree).

Timberdise mount all of our timber cabins,we do this because we know you are investing a lot of money into a log cabin and you want it to be around for a long period of time. So the best way we can ensure this happens is to take care of the installation and make sure it is placed correctly. We’ve been out to repair timber cabins in the past built by non-skilled people and if the construction is not put together correctly then number one it won’t be safe but in addition it could create a failure in the construction to be rainproof.

A prime good example of this would be that the logs haven’t been assembled correctly on the walls. This would then create the timber cabin to differ from the design as it was intended to be. At this point when the roof was placed there might be spaces between the roof and the wall. Gaps could in addition appear on the walls of the timber cabins themselves and in some situations if the initial build of the timber cabin was so bad you would have no choice but to take down the timber cabin and rebuild it.

This is why Timberdise Garden Buildings mount all of our timber cabins so you don’t have this to worry about. As you can imagine if there is a gap in the wall or a gap between the roof and the wall this would leave the cabin open and it would most definitely leak which is what we want to avoid at all costs.

I in addition want to bring attention to the floor surface a second. Having your timber cabin placed on a proper ground base is a must. That could be a Timberdise ground base,concrete base or a paved area. As long as they’re flat,level and solid you should be ok. Be mindful of where you put the cabin,don’t put it anywhere that is at risk of flooding as just like the house that you live in. If the water level rises and there is no getaway for it then the timber cabin will flood,that is regardless of how thick and tight your logs are.

Lastly let’s talk about sealants around the windows and doors. Make sure after you have treated your cabin you fit the relevant sealants around the doors and the windows. The log cabins don’t come with these fitted as standard,this is so you can treat the cabin first and then apply the sealants afterwards. By not fitting the doors and windows with sealants then there’s a chance rain could penetrate the inside of the cabin,which again is easily fixed by applying sealants.

Additionally,occasionally most especially during the winter months,condensation can arise inside a cabin. This is normal due to the log cabins not having any insulation fitted,it is not a leak and can be fairly normal. We advise at Timberdise to get a dehumidifier if you have electrical access in there and leave it working during the chillier months. This will help take wetness out of the air and further increase the life-span of your cabin.

If you follow all the above guidelines you should have a leak free cabin for the duration of its life-span which can supply infinite enjoyment and relaxation.Keep in mind prevention is far better than the cure.

“When do I replace my locks?” This question is sometimes asked of our technicians here (visit website). Customers want to know if they have to replace their lock or if a simple rekey job will suffice. We always give them the same, correct answer. “That depends!” In reality, there is no one-size fits all answer for a question like that. Each lock is different and the people using it are all unique in their lock and key needs and uses. The best thing you can do is to discuss your situation with one of our technicians or a locksmith from another full-service, licensed, bonded and insured locksmith shop here in Kirkwood, MO.

The difference between rekey and replace
They are as different as night and day! It’s totally up to you which option, if any, that you want. Let’s start with rekeys. When a rekey is done on your lock, the locksmith leaves the lock in place and only alters the lock insides by changing the springs and pins. The end result is that you will need to use new keys in order to operate the lock. Rekeys are less expensive than full lock replacement and can often suffice when the issue is key control. Let’s say that one of your kids lost his house key at school and it was missing for a few days. You gave him a new one to use but often wondered if anyone found his lost key and possibly made a duplicate of it. Can you live with the nagging doubt of possible extra keys floating about or do you feel safer starting fresh with new keys? In this example, there is no direct need for a lock replacement; all you need is to make the old keys useless. A rekey job will do that.
Okay, how about replacements? If rekeys cost less, and are just as good; why not just do those? Again, it depends on your particular needs. Let’s say that you came home from work, ready to eat dinner and watch something on television. You notice something odd – the front door lock is damaged and has obviously been tampered with. In this case, altering the inside pins is not going to be enough. You don’t need new keys, you need a new lock! Are crime break-ins the only reason to replace locks? No, of course not! You may have aged locks that are not quite as strong as they once were. Or, you might have perfectly great locks but decided to upgrade them to better quality, stronger ones. Our in-house locksmith experts (locksmith company service in Kirkwood) are often called upon to replace home or business locks with high security ones. These locks are virtually impossible to pick or pry open as they are specially made with solid materials instead of the “just good enough” hollow locks that are pretty standard.

Lock replacement for cars
The very same reasons that we gave above, also apply to automotive lock replacement. Car theft or attempted car theft often involves physically breaking into a vehicle. Often, the door or trunk locks are damaged in the process. Sometimes, this also includes the ignition lock as attempts to force the engine to start often involve hot wiring methods and manipulating the starter and ignition system. Glove box locks are particularly vulnerable to damage as crooks know that valuable things like garage door remotes, car registrations, driver’s license copies, insurance papers and home addresses are often locked inside the glove compartment. These items are often even more valuable than the car itself. Valet drivers have the key and the crook can get home details like addresses and gate codes right from the glove box. Often, the more expensive cars will have a country club or gated community sticker right on the windshield so all that is needed is to take the car directly to the residence. The security guard at the gate will see the sticker and open the gate; granting easy access to the inside of an exclusive and now vulnerable community. No one checks outgoing cars in these clubs so leaving with a car full of cash and valuables from the robbed home is rather easy.

Lock replacement for businesses
Again, replacing locks for your local business is often a good idea. The same reasons we gave above for home locks, also apply to commercial ones. Rekeys often are enough. The locks may be fine and it may simply be time for better key control. Maybe an employee failed to turn his or her keys in after being terminated or promoted out of town. If that is all that is needed; the choice is easy; save your money, and rekey your locks. Commercial break-ins sometimes happen and the resulting lock damage almost demands that the lock be replaced. Newer, better locks are another reason for business lock replacement. Since most commercial locks are actually built-in and therefore a permanent part of the real estate, the cost of upgrading the locks is tax deductible and can be written off as an expense. Also, with advancements in commercial locksmith technology, a business owner or manager is often interested in lock upgrades, options and additions. For example, a jewelry store might add fingerprint locks to replace outdated key locks to a display case or vault. High security or bump proof locks on the front or back doors might replace less secure door locks that were already in place. A retirement home or hospital might want to add locking panic bars to replace their older, less effective hardware. The locking panic bars are easier to open and might provide added protection for their residents/customers. A change to these locks would definitely be considered a lock replacement.

What’s right for you?
Call your local, full service locksmith. Discuss your particular needs with him or her. Tell them what you want to accomplish and when. Explain your budget requirements and any security concerns that you may have. Together, you will be able to map out a rekey or lock replacement strategy that is perfect for your home, auto or business locksmith needs.
Find out more: keyless entry systems