For log homes, the roof inspection focus is less on the covering type and more on how the roof design and detailing protect the logs from chronic wetting and UV exposure.
Key Objectives
- Keep bulk water away from exterior logs (overhangs, pitch, drainage).
- Verify flashing details wherever the roof intersects logs, decks, or chimneys.
- Identify design defects (not just wear) that predispose logs to rot.
Roof Design and Geometry
- Check roof pitch and shape; low-slope or complex valleys on log homes often concentrate water and snow load, increasing leak and rot risk.
- Evaluate overhang depth; inadequate eaves and gables allow splash-back and direct wetting of upper and lower courses of logs.
- Look for sagging or uneven rooflines, which can indicate settlement of log walls or structural defects in roof framing that will telegraph into the logs and connections.
Drainage, Gutters, and Splash-Back
- Inspect valleys for debris accumulation and signs of concentrated runoff (staining, moss, deteriorated shingles) that could drive water toward log walls or dormer cheek walls.
- Check gutters and downspouts for clogs, improper slopes, missing sections, and inadequate extensions that allow water to discharge near log walls.
- Look for evidence of splash-back on lower logs (staining, peeling finish, soft or punky wood) where decks, hardscape, or short overhangs reflect water onto the walls.
Flashing at Critical Interfaces
- At roof-to-log wall intersections (sheds, porch and deck roofs, step flashing): confirm step and counter-flashing where shingles meet vertical log surfaces, and look for sealant-only “fixes,” which are common and unreliable on moving log walls.
- Around chimneys, skylights, and roof penetrations: inspect cricket design, counter-flashing and saddle geometry to ensure water is diverted away from adjacent logs, not toward them.
- At deck and balcony attachments: evaluate for proper flashing where ledger boards, posts, or balcony framing meet the log walls or roof plane; missing flashing in these areas is a known cause of concealed log rot and interior moisture issues.
Roof Covering and Age-Related Issues
- Document roof covering type and condition per your standard roof SOP (shingles, metal, etc.), then tie observed wear or damage back to potential log damage (chronic leaks at one area feeding hidden log rot).
- Look specifically for moss, algae, and chronic damp areas near eaves above log walls; persistent moisture here can track into fascias, exposed rafter tails, and upper wall logs.
- Note multiple roof layers or improperly installed replacement roofing, which can bury old flashing and allow water pathways into log interfaces.
Log-Specific Vulnerabilities Connected to the Roof
- Protruding log ends beyond the drip line: identify exposed purlins, rafters, or corner logs that extend past the roof edge, as these are highly susceptible to rot and can transmit decay back into the structure.
- Check upper log courses under eaves for finish failure, checking, and early decay; marginal overhangs or poorly performing gutters often show up here first.
- At dormers and upper-story walls intersecting the roof: examine cheek walls and lower corners for staining, softened wood, and failed chinking or sealants where roof runoff hits the log or timber surfaces.