Step 03 · Repair
Log Rot Repair
Finds soft wood, cuts it back to sound log and rebuilds it with consolidants, fillers or wood patches shaped to match.
What it is
Rot is a fungus feeding on wet wood. Once the moisture content in a log stays above roughly 20% for long periods, the fungi that cause decay can take hold. They usually start where water collects: log ends at corners, bottom courses near the ground, under windows, and around decks and roof valleys.
Rot repair removes the damaged wood, stabilizes what’s left and rebuilds the log so it sheds water again. Done in place, it saves logs that would otherwise need to be replaced, and it costs far less.
Rot repair is part of the Repair step, done after stripping while the wood is bare and you can see exactly where the damage is.
Signs you need it
When to call about rot repair
- A screwdriver or key sinks easily into the wood
- Dark, crumbly or stringy wood, often at log ends or bottom courses
- Mushrooms or fungus growing from logs or corners
- Stain that won’t stick in one area, coat after coat
- Rot near gutters, decks, dormers or roof valleys
How Cardi does it
Our method
- 01
Map the damage
Every suspect area is probe-tested to find where soft wood stops. We photograph and mark it so you can see the extent before we cut anything.
- 02
Cut back to sound wood
Rotted fibers are removed until we hit solid wood. Leaving soft material behind is how rot repairs fail.
- 03
Consolidate and rebuild
The cavity is treated with borate, then a penetrating epoxy consolidant strengthens the surrounding fibers. Depending on size, we rebuild with epoxy filler or a fitted wood patch.
- 04
Shape, texture and fix the cause
Repairs are shaped and textured to blend with the log, and sealed into the finish system. We also tell you what caused it, whether gutters, grade, splashback or a missing drip edge, and how to stop it.
Where it fits
Rot repair is part of step 03: Repair
Bare wood is the one chance to see and treat everything. Rot and insect damage left under a fresh finish keep spreading out of sight.
FAQ
Rot repair questions
Can rot be repaired, or does the log have to come out?
Most surface and end rot can be repaired in place. When rot runs deep into the log or affects structure, sectioning out or replacing the log is the honest fix. We’ll show you which, and why.
Will the repair be noticeable?
We shape and texture repairs to match the log, and they take stain with the rest of the wall. Up close a trained eye may spot them, but from normal viewing distance they blend in.
What causes rot in log homes?
Water that stays in the wood. Common sources are short roof overhangs, missing gutters, splashback from the ground, upward-facing checks, and failed finish. Fixing the source matters as much as fixing the log.
Related services
Usually done alongside
Log Replacement
Replaces logs or log sections too far gone to repair, matching species, profile and texture so the wall reads as one.
Learn more Step 03 · RepairInsect & Rot Treatment (Borate)
A borate preservative applied to bare logs to guard against rot fungi and wood-boring insects, including carpenter bees, beetles and ants.
Learn more Step 04 · SealChinking & Caulking
Seals the joints between logs, the checks in them, and every corner and opening, with flexible products that move as logs move.
Learn moreFurther reading
Book an inspection
Book a rot repair inspection
That’s what the inspection is for. It’s free, it’s in writing, and it breaks the house down wall by wall, so you can decide what to do now and what can wait.