Guess what this is?

[Jim Bilyeu]

Just got back from doing a log home inspection in Calif. This is just one of the problems that I found. Can you guess what it is by the pictures?

Hints: This problem has been talked about before on this forum. take a good look at the top chink line in the first picture.:confused:

[Jim Bilyeu]

:rolleyes: Sorry Maestro, not even close...... Like I said, this problem has been talked about several times in the past but no one has ever come up with a good solution as of yet.

Let's see if anyone else wants to take a stab at this before I tell you what it is.

[Bret]

Do the holes in the chinking have something to do with the rotten log underneath?

[Vern Adams]

I say it's NOT Southern Yellow Pine. Could be cedar, but more likely some type of pine. Problem was that someone forgot to use backer rod in the check?

[David Blakely]

Hey Jim,
The holes look so symmetrical I was wondering if it were bees or some other critters nesting there.
Dave

[Jim Bilyeu]

Bret, good eye. The log is rotted (along with a lot more) but that's another problem.

Vern, the logs are lodge pole pine and backer rod was used.

Dave, you noticed ;) , your're getting close but close only counts when your playing horse shoes.

Come on guys and gal's. I know a lot of you have had this problem. Maybe not as bad as this but bad enough to make you ask questions about how to solve it

[Darin Alexander]

If its not carpenter bees than my second guess would be woodpeckers.

[Dan Bodenstein]

I'll take Mystery Chinking for 1000.00 Alex.


What is a wood boring bettle?
(powder post beetles)

Dan




:confused:

[Greg Steckler]

I'd guess mushrooms, perhaps Ascomycetes?

[Belle]

It looks like acorns in the log, but I do not have a guess on the holes.

[MikeS]

From most likely to least likely:

1) Failed finish (I won't venture a guess to the finish)
2) Upward facing checks that catch rain
3) Failed chink joint, looks like synthetic chink.
4) Wonder what the roof overhang is, and if there is a deck under the sill logs.
5) Vertical lumber member, buck or what... source of rain infiltration.
6) Potential of log shifting due to lack of spline and/or fasteners.

This is fun!!! I like solving mysteries.

Editing, after reading previous responses more closely, taking hints:
Woodpecker holes, squirrel chewing

[Darin Alexander]

I agree with MikeS.

Luv this thread.

Darin

[Dan Bodenstein]

Can I buy a Vowel?

Dan

[Josh]

The bottom picture is a close up of the saucer shaped
check - not the 3 holes above - which are curious as they
are symetrical to an alarming degree. I must assume we are
trying to find out whats with this check/crack with 3 round
(and a vague 4th) objects in it.

Look like inverted mushrooms to me.

[Bret]

It looks as if there is a wire or string running through the holes? What is it?

[Susan]

I don't know.........the close up looks like acorns stuck in the crack. So maybe squirrels. Buuuut, wouldn't the log already have to have a void in it for "Rocky" to start using it as a pantry? What caused that great big check?

[JC Schultz]

Could be old cowboy and indian gunfight scars?
Almost looks like powder post beetles but they do not eat chinking so with that in mind, possibly some sort of water erosion?

[Dale]

It must be my eyes,.. but it kinda looks like chink And caulk on the same log.

[Greg Steckler]

It kinda looks like the ear or tympanum on the side of a frog's head. If there are tree frogs I suppose ol' Jim must have found one of them log frogs. He could name it the Bilyeu Powder Post Log Frog :D

[Jim Bilyeu]

Good Morning All,

We really have some great answers here. This home is really a beautiful home located in Northern Calif. Unfortunately, the front of the home has full exposure and that’s where most of the damage is located.

Mike S, your observations were correct on #1,2,3. The answer to #4 is that the home has a 3 foot overhang except at the entry way which has a 20 foot overhang. Number 5, The vertical lumber you see is the trim for a triple slider on a second floor deck that won’t close due to the compression of the decayed logs. The deck itself is being supported by 5 19 inch logs which have decayed back threw the supporting wall into the garage. Although I was told that the home was built with the all thread rods with tension springs, I was unable to locate them.

The first picture shows just some of the worst woodpecker problems that I have seen. I had never seen a Woodpecker do damage to chinking before. Not only are they doing damage to the logs and chinking, they are also storing acorn nuts in their holes (second picture) and in the checks.

Well, there you have it, Woodpeckers and acorn nuts. I wonder, will workman’s comp cover “Woodpecker attacks” ?
:D

[Paula-in-CO]

The day after we finished staining our house, a woodpecker showed up and did so much damage I can't believe it. It is going to take me hours and hours to fix it.

He seemed to know when we were at work too, because whenever we were home, no woodpecker. I've been target shooting for practice. I will get even next year if he comes back.

What was that recipe for woodpecker stew? :)

[LogSmithy]

.............People looking to feel the synthetic chinking material and sticking thier fingers right into it! ??????

Bill Lasko