Slump problem

[Rod]

Hello:
Last week I cut out the window openings for my full scribe log home project. There is one wall which has two window openings between the notches. Today I noticed that the section of wall between the openings slumped, leaving about a 1/2 inch gap between these logs and the header log.

I was wondering if any of the handcrafters on this board had any advice on how to deal with this situation? My thinking is that eventually the logs will settle and close up the gap or the window splines will be enough to stabilize the wall section. Is this sound thinking?

Pretty concerned right now...

Rod.

[Greg Steckler]

Is there a tremendous amount of weight on this section? How much log is left between windows? A picture might help. :confused:

[jbilyeu]

section of wall between the openings slumped, leaving about a 1/2 inch gap between these logs and the header log.

Rod.


Am I reading this right, are you saying that the logs running above the windows are fine but the logs beneath them have dropped 1/2 inch :confused: Please clarify. Pictures would help................................

[Jim Morvay]

I suspect what he means is that for whatever reason, the section of logs that were cut out for the window openings fit tighter than the section of logs remaining between the two openings. Once those sections were cut out and the tension on that part of the logs were removed, it allowed the remaining, center section to setttle tighter, indicated by the "slump".

[Rod]

I think Jim understands what I mean. Here are some pics... the first shows the wall section I was referring to and the second is a close up showing the gap between the wall section and the header log.

Rod.

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[Curio]

Have you considered that the header log may have shot up slightly? Once the rest of your logs go on, they may all join up again. Are the middle section of logs still in line?

Craig

[Rod]

Have you considered that the header log may have shot up slightly?

No, the problem is definitely slump. Two logs in the section developed checks in the long groove which would account for the gap. I remember hearing a lot of snapping and popping up to two days after I cut out the openings.

I'm considering pulling the header log off and refitting it. Not sure if this will cause any further problems though. Any comments?

Rod.

[Greg Steckler]

How many more rounds are you going up?

[Rod]

How many more rounds are you going up?

Just one more round. Also, this will be a gable end so there won't be a lot of down force on this wall.

Rod.

[Greg Steckler]

If its a gable end, then the ridge weight can be made to bear down in the center of your log stack....could be the solution.....unless you're going trusses...which would throw the weight out on the eaves or at point loads on the sides.

[Tim Bullock]

Rod, Take some fabric ratchet straps and pull the header log down and with these in place scribe the next log on top. This should do it for you but it may lift up the next log too if it is not big enough so continue strapping.
You can also put the straps on and then make a plunge cut diagonally on the top of the header log adjacent to the window openings which will "break the back" of the header log and it will settle into place.

[Rod]

Thanks for the suggestion, Tim. I tried this and even with three straps the log barely deflected. I didn't have the nerve to make the cut as you suggested.:eek:

In the end, I jacked the log up, rescribed and recut and everything fits nicely once again.

Rod.