The growing popularity of wooden log cabins as a warm and environmentally friendly housing has its own "pitfalls", which must be remembered when deciding to build such a house.
The timber construction market often offers low-quality material, harvested and dried incorrectly, and teams with a low level of knowledge and practical experience take over the work. As a result, the owner, after 5-6 years, has to deal with the problem of rotting of the lower rims of the log house and urgently look for methods to solve it.
A house built from a winter forest, dried and antiseptic of high quality, the walls of which are reliably protected from rain and snow by wide roof overhangs, does not require major repairs for at least 50 years.
We will consider the case when, as a result of weak waterproofing of the foundation and the locking of the walls, the lower crowns rotted and their urgent replacement is required.
Immediately, we note that this work belongs to the category of laborious and complex, therefore it is not always possible to do it with your own hands without the involvement of experienced craftsmen.
Techniques and technologies for replacing rotted lower rims of a log house
Cosmetic method- the simplest and most affordable for most homeowners. It does not require the use of special equipment and large financial costs. Its essence consists in cutting out the rotten lower sections of the walls and replacing them with new elements of the crown structure.
If the decay process has not affected the entire lower belt of the logs, this method can be considered a real way out. However, the disadvantage of this technology is the violation of the integrity of the log house and, as a consequence, the loss of some of its rigidity.
In addition, after such a repair, new joints appear, through which heat loss occurs.
Using a different method, replacing rotten crowns of a wooden house produced after complete disassembly of the walls. This is the most expensive and time-consuming, but also the most effective way to repair a log house.
After such work, the building again becomes strong and reliable. An additional advantage of this repair method is the ability to replace the upper rims of the walls, which also come into contact with moisture and are subject to decay.
The third repair technology involves the disassembly of the upper part of the foundation. and replacement of the lower rotten rims. After that, the removed foundation layer is restored and waterproofed.
The disadvantage of this method is the violation of the structure of the foundation, which in the future may affect its durability and bearing capacity.
With your own hands, you can inexpensively and fairly quickly replace the lower crown of a log wall with brickwork. To do this, sequentially cut out small sections of the rotten crown and put a red brick on the mortar in their place.
The last common repair method consists in lifting the walls of the log house with jacks and disassembling and replacing the crown structures of the lower rows. This is the most economical and high-quality way to restore walls.
With its correct implementation, the strength of the log house does not decrease and its geometry is not disturbed. Simultaneously with the replacement of the crowns, you can repair the foundation and strengthen its waterproofing. However, this method requires the use of special equipment, good knowledge of each stage and the general sequence of work.
Let's take a closer look at how the lower rims of the house are replaced by a jack method.... Before starting work, the possibility of lifting the log house on jacks is assessed. The main criterion here is the state of the binding of the corners - the main elements on which the preservation of the geometry and strength of the frame depends.
If the dressing is in good condition, then the blockhouse will withstand lifting on jacks. If its integrity is violated by the decay process, you will have to use a stationary support frame.
On one wall, depending on the size of the house, you may need from two to four jacks. In the walls of the log house, for the installation of the supporting parts of the jacks, a part of the rotted crowns is cut out with a chain saw.
In order to change the lower rims with jacks slowly and evenly raise one wall. The rise is completed at a height sufficient for free removal of the rotten crown and its replacement. A new log is inserted into the wall in three parts. Two short ones are installed in the corners, and the longest is placed in the gap between the jacks.
Having lowered the frame and removed the jacks, the openings from them are filled with pieces of logs, exactly fitted to their size. The joints are sealed with tow or other high-quality sealant.
Even before starting work on raising a log house, you should decide than to process the lower crown so that in the foreseeable future this operation does not have to be repeated. Variants using bitumen or waste mineral motor oil for this purpose are considered today only with extreme limited funds.
However, even in this case, it is better to go for additional costs and purchase a product from a wide range of branded wood preservatives. They do not have an unpleasant odor, well protect the crowns of a log house from decay and do not spoil the appearance of the outer wall.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of protection of the lower rims of a log house depends not only on the quality of the impregnation, but also on the degree of waterproofing of the foundation. Therefore, you should not use cheap types of roofing material for these purposes, but it is better to lay 2 layers of euroruberoid on the foundation. This material is made from elastic modified bitumen and is reinforced with fiberglass, so it does not lose its strength and tightness for decades.
In addition to the use of antiseptic solutions, the protection of the lower crown of the log house requires the installation of metal visors over the lower crown, which will divert rainwater from the logs.
The total cost of work on replacing the lower rims of a log house depends on its size. For a standard one-story log house (6 by 8 meters), it ranges from 15 to 20 thousand rubles without the cost of material. Logs for this work will cost from 8 to 12 thousand rubles per crown.
Useful video
If you notice defects in the fundamental part of a wooden structure, you should not immediately get depressed or give up. There is a solution. Order the repair of the foundation and change the crowns in the Stroy Komplekt Pro company and your problems will disappear, that you will not even notice how quickly.
More recently, such a construction procedure as replacement of the lower rims wooden structure, was very popular among the population. But time does not stand still, with the emergence of the technology of the concrete structure of the foundation, the demand for replacement services for crowns has noticeably decreased. And there are almost no masters who are engaged in this kind of craft.
So what could be causing the wear and tear on whole logs or beams made of wood in a home? Firstly, this is the absence of spacer spacers between the wooden canvas and the concrete foundation, which protect the lower rims from water.
The consequence of such an oversight is the formation of mold and mildew at the point of contact of the two media. Secondly, the replacement of the crowns will certainly be required if there is no thorough, ubiquitous processing of the wood surface during the assembly of the structure.
Also, the violation of the process of moving and storing building materials and fasteners will not go away. Repair in a wooden structure it will also be required when close to decaying or beetle-infested wood. And this is not the whole list of reasons for the appearance of cracks and premature decay of the lower rims of a wooden building.
If you are faced with such a problem, highly qualified specialists of the Stroy Komplekt Pro company will come to your aid. We will promptly, reliably and at the proper level of quality raise the infected area of the house. Then, partially or completely around the entire perimeter, if necessary, we will pull out and replace the disturbing cobblestone or log crowns.
Price for work on replacement of crowns.
Despite the fact that replacing the crowns of a wooden structure requires an accurate calculation at the facility, due to the fact that the final cost is influenced by many factors, such as the deterioration of the structure, wall thickness, foundation and much more, check out the approximate prices for the work.
Name
Price, rub)
Cost of work
Dismantling the decayed crown.
Processing and installation of a new crown.
Insulation lining between the crowns.
Waterproofing of crowns.
Installation of mounts.
Reconstruction of the foundation and replacement of crowns.
Stages of work aimed at foundation repair and replacement of crowns include:
- Preliminary examination, identification and measurement of the affected area;
- Identification of lifting points and direct lifting of a part of the structure;
- Sawing and removal of damaged wood;
- Cut-out of the lock-connector;
- Replacement of crowns;
- Connection of crowns with fasteners;
- Return of the raised part of the house to its original place.
But technology mounting crowns a wooden structure is used not only in case of obsolescence or the appearance of any defects.
This technique of installing crowns is also used in the construction of the "ground" floor. Thus, it is possible, for example, to reconstruct and significantly raise the suburban building.
Make an application on our official website of the Stroy Komplekt Pro company, and our specialists will come to your aid at your preferred time. We will estimate the degree of damage to the crowns and calculate the approximate cost of repairs.
With us quickly, efficiently, reliably!
Design
The calculation of the strength of the crowns is carefully prepared and monitored by construction engineers.
Materials (edit)
Beams, logs and other materials for repairing crowns only from trusted suppliers.
All photos from the article
The venerable wooden houses, which have stood for more than half a century, require reconstruction, involving the replacement of crowns. The destruction of the lower part of the building is caused by the completely missing or poor waterproofing between the lower logs and the plinth of the foundation. If you have plans to replace the lower crown of a wooden house with your own hands, we recommend that you stay with us.
About the causes and consequences
Houses that were built more than 50 years ago, in most cases, have a fill that covers part of the lower crown from drafts.
This design prevents airing, and the lower rims are destroyed to a powdery state.
- The main and worst enemy of a wooden house is humidity, which can arise due to the combination of a pile (columnar) foundation and a backfill. Over time, such a structure sags very much, and the walls begin to freeze.
- The destruction of the plaster strip foundations, erected from bricks or rubble stone, contributes to the accumulation of moisture, destroys the wood and foundation material.
- Extrusion or subsidence of the tape-type foundation with heaving of the soil contributes to the formation of gaps at the point of contact between the foundation and the flange. As a result, precipitation gets there.
The above reasons require elimination, otherwise the newly erected crown of the house will suffer the same fate.
Replacing part of the crown without raising the house
Often there is a need to replace only a part of the log of the lower crown.
In this case, the entire crown remains intact, and the work is carried out without raising the house.
- Identify the damaged area by eye; how much rot has spread can be found with a chisel... Clear 40 cm on both sides of the damage.
- Install braces, the height of which will be equal to the height of 2-3 crowns.
- Hammer boards 4 cm thick from the inside and outside of the log house... Drill holes in the two collar rings (the first and the last). After that, you can insert stud ties with a diameter of 12 mm.
- Cut the damaged part with a chainsaw and remove.
- Make cuts 200 mm wide in the crown to be replaced.... Thanks to them, a reliable connection between the new and the old part will be ensured.
- Make a log insert of the same diameter... Be sure to make reciprocal cuts on it.
- Insert the piece instead of the cut area and hammer it in with a sledgehammer and a block under it.
- In the places of the cut, make three through holes on each side, drive the pins into them... This will help you quickly, and most importantly, securely fasten the insert and the old log.
- At the end of the gap, dig with jute, moss or tow.
Note! This method can be used to replace the entire lower crown. However, the prefabricated structure is less durable than a one-piece crown, therefore, it is recommended to resort to technology as a last resort or to use it as a temporary measure.
Replacing the crown with brickwork
Replacing the crowns of a wooden house with your own hands can be carried out not only with similar wooden elements, but also with brickwork. A rather difficult task can be performed with or without raising the house. The choice of the method is determined by the age of the house, its condition and the basis of the structure. Without lifting the house, the crown is replaced by masonry if the structure is located directly on the ground or on a columnar foundation.
It is recommended to start replacing the crown with corner joints, this will help create a sufficiently reliable support. The height of the brickwork is determined by the slope of the house. Often, the best solution would be to replace several crowns on one side and only one on the other.
If the house is based on a strip foundation, it is recommended to raise the structure with screw or hydraulic jacks. First, the corners of the house are raised, under which a temporary support is placed. The surface of the foundation is cleaned, leveled, after which the brickwork is built up.
Advice! Before raising the house, it is advisable to remove the wooden door frames and frames, which may be damaged in the process.
Replacing the crown on the strip foundation
Raising the house
To raise a house from a strip foundation, it will be necessary to arrange places for a jack; for this, the foundation is partially dismantled. 70 cm recede from the corner of the house and a niche with a width of at least 40 cm is hollowed out. Before directly installing the jack, a part of the crown log is cut out so that it rests against the upper crown log.
Depending on the scale of destruction and reconstruction, you can raise the whole house or one side of it. For old houses, the latter option is unacceptable, since there is a likelihood of skewing the structure.
Foundation niches in the amount of 2 pcs. on each wall are placed on opposite sides. The blockhouse is raised by 10 cm, old logs are removed and replaced with new ones.
Note! This method involves further reconstruction of the foundation, which loses its integrity and strength.
If the house stands on a columnar foundation, its lifting does not require the formation of niches. All you need to do is place a solid foundation, such as a concrete block, under the jack.
Hanging out at home
Raising a log house on channels can be called the latest know-how in the issue of reconstruction of the base of the house. This method is quite costly and is justified only if the house does not have a foundation or the latter requires a complete reconstruction.
On the basis of metal channels, a structure is made, which is wound under the frame. In this case, the support points of the structure are taken out of the house, therefore, after work on replacing rotted crowns, a solid foundation can be poured.
Complete replacement of the crown
| Stage | Instructions for conducting |
| Preparatory |
|
| Basic |
|
In order for the new foundation of the house not to repeat the fate of the previous one, think carefully about how to process the lower rims of a wooden house.
The lower crown is the "weak link" in the construction of the bathhouse. It is most susceptible to moisture, therefore it rots easily, spreading rot to the upper logs. And this leads to a gradual distortion and destruction of the entire structure. Therefore, at the first signs of rotting of the lower rims of the log house, a decision should be made: either build the bath anew, or replace the rotten logs - in whole or in part. The last option is associated with the least time and material costs, therefore it is used most often. Read on about the methods and nuances of replacing the lower rims of the bathhouse.
Method # 1. Replacing the lower rims with parts
There are situations when logs in a log house are partially damaged and do not need to be completely replaced. In this case, it is enough to remove the rotten area by replacing it with a "patch" of wood, brick or other materials.
The technology of partial replacement of the lower rims is carried out according to the following scheme:
- The area of the affected area is freed from external cladding (siding, lining, etc.).
- Determine the boundaries of rotten wood, outline them with a chisel or knife.
- They retreat from the intended boundaries by 40 cm in both directions and install screeds. They are necessary so as not to damage the structure during the removal of rotten wood tissue. Bars 40 mm thick and 2 - 3 crowns high are used for the screed. They are fixed on both sides of the wall, on the sides of the damaged area (4 bars in total). Ties are required if you intend to remove a significant part of the crown at a time. With small replacements, they are rarely used.
- Saw out the rotten part of the log with an electric or chainsaw. First, a through cut is made on one side of the damaged area, then on the other. The cut off part is removed. For a tighter fit, the inserts along the edges of the opening make cuts about 20 cm wide.
- The opened lower part of the second crown is cleaned, leveled to a flat state (with a chisel). Treat it and the side walls of the resulting opening with an antiseptic.
- Roofing material is laid on the foundation in 2 - 3 layers.
- An insert is made to cover the opening. A part is cut out of a log of the same diameter as that of the logs being repaired. In length, it should be 1 - 2 mm less than the size of the opening. The insert is treated with an antiseptic.
- Install the insert in the opening, if necessary, hammer it with a sledgehammer.
- The gaps between the frame and the insert are carefully caulked with moss, tow, jute.
Using this method, you can replace not only damaged logs, but also the entire lower crown. For this, parts are gradually cut off from the crown, replacing them with new ones. The process is quite painstaking, but it allows you to do without raising the log house on jacks.
You can also replace the lower crown with brickwork. In this case, parts of the damaged log are sequentially cut out, and a brick is laid in the resulting openings on the mortar. Gradually, the brickwork will replace the entire lower crown.
Method # 2. Complete replacement of the lower rims
A complete replacement of the crowns can be performed not only in the above-described way (with the gradual removal of all parts of the damaged log). The new crown will be more durable if it is made from solid logs, rather than from pieces. For this, the walls of the log house are raised with the help of jacks, the damaged lower rims are removed, and new logs are installed instead.
This method involves the displacement of the entire structure of the bathhouse, therefore it requires preparation.
Preparatory work before raising a log house
- Window glass and frames, door frames are removed so that they do not crack when the frame is being raised.
- All heavy furniture is taken out of the bathhouse; ideally, the log house should remain empty.
- If the floor logs are cut into the lower crown, then they are disassembled. In structures where the logs are laid above the lower crown, the floor can be left alone.
- The chimney is separated from the ceiling and roof. Otherwise, in the process of raising the frame, they can be damaged by the heavy chimney pipe.
- Those crowns of the log house that will not change are fixed and fixed. To do this, at a distance of 50 cm from the corners of the log house, on each wall, boards (bars) with a thickness of 40 mm are vertically nailed. The lower edges of the boards should end at the level of the end of the logs of the crown that cannot be replaced (the second from the bottom). The upper edges are fixed on the logs of the uppermost crown. Boards are nailed both on the outer walls and on the inner ones (throughout the whole log house - 16 boards, 4 on each wall). From below and from above, each board is fixed with through pins. Such fixation is necessary so that the walls of the log house do not lead when they are raised on jacks.
As soon as all the preparatory work is completed, the walls can be raised and proceed to the repair of the lower crown.
The progress of work on replacing the lower crown of a log house
If the log house is on a strip foundation, proceed as follows:
- The ligation of a log house consists of two logs (upper and lower), tied in a corner connection. The first step is to determine which logs in the crown to be replaced are the upper ones. Jacks will be installed under them. Here, having retreated 0.7 - 1 m from the corner of the house, an opening 40 cm wide is knocked out in the foundation. Opposite the opening, a part of the log of the lower crown is cut out. The total height of the resulting niche should allow you to install a jack there.
- On two opposite walls, two such niches are cut out, at an equal distance from the corners.
- Install jacks, from 2 to 4 pieces. The available amount will allow you to either immediately raise the entire frame, or - each wall in turn. Less distortion can be achieved if all walls are raised simultaneously - when installing 4 jacks under two opposite walls (2 pcs. On each).
- With the help of jacks resting against the upper logs of the bandage of the crown, the frame is raised by 7-10 cm.
- The lower dressing logs are released and removed. Under the opened lower logs of the second crown, temporary supports are installed (logs, concrete blocks, bricks, boards, etc.).
- The jacks are lowered. Together with them, the upper logs of the crown being repaired are also lowered. They are also removed. Instead, new logs are installed and immediately tightened with jacks.
- The temporary supports under the lower logs of the second crown are removed. New logs are laid on the foundation (the lower ones are in bandaging).
- The jacks are slowly and synchronously lowered, placing the upper dressing logs on the lower ones. The gaps between the new logs and the second crown are sealed with tow, moss or jute (caulking is performed).
This completes the replacement of the lower rim.
If the log house is on a columnar foundation, the replacement is easier:
- Jacks are installed between the posts of the foundation, on which the upper logs of the strapping of the lower crown rest. 2 pcs. on the wall. In this case, the jack must be installed on a solid base, for example, on a board made of boards (dimensions about 50x50 cm). The head of the jack rod must rest on the log through the metal plate.
- The jacks are raised. Next, perform the same steps to replace the lower crown as in the presence of a strip foundation. That is, the difference in replacing the crowns of log cabins with strip and columnar foundations is only in the method of installing the jacks. For this, the strip foundation must be partially destroyed. It is not necessary to destroy the columnar foundation. By its design, it is "intermittent", so there is enough space between the posts for installing jacks.
For more details, see the diagrams below.
Prevention of rotting of the lower rims: protective measures
You can replace the old logs in the crown, but after 2-3 years they find them rotting again. To prevent this from happening, the lower crowns must be properly waterproofed and protected from decay. Protection measures can be as follows:
- Manufacturing of the lower crowns from larch, which is not subject to decay. Instead of solid logs, larch boards can be used. They should be placed under the lower crown. So between the crown and the foundation, a protective layer will be formed that is not susceptible to the influence of fungi. A good alternative to larch is oak logs and boards.
- Covering logs with antiseptic. You can use any water repellent, for example, antiseptic "Pinotex", "Sadolin", "Senezh Ognebio" and others. Another popular "folk" atiseptic is machine testing. Its disadvantage is a sharp, long-lasting smell.
- Covering the bath base with a water repellent.
- Using several layers of roofing material (2-3) for waterproofing the joint between the crown and the foundation.
- Protection of the lower rims from external moisture by means of visors (for example, from galvanized strips).
Such simple methods will help you eliminate the cause of rotting and prevent the need to replace the lower rims of the bath again.
Wood as a building material undoubtedly has many advantages. However, the peculiarity of the tree is that it can rot over time. As a rule, lower, embedded crowns in a wooden house most often suffer. This may be due to improper use of the house, deformation, poorly executed waterproofing. In addition, the lower part of the building is under the greatest stress, and therefore deteriorates faster. Replacing rotten crowns is not an easy job. However, if all the rules are followed, it can be done, but provided that you have certain building skills.
Replacing the crowns of a wooden house
In the work on replacing the rotten crown, you will need the following materials and tools:
- wooden boards;
- sealant (jute or tow);
- antiseptic for wood;
- waterproofing material - roofing material;
- 4 hydraulic jacks;
- chisel;
- chainsaw;
- sledgehammer;
- axe;
- electric drill;
- saw;
- plane.
There are several ways to change the crown of a wooden house.
It often happens that the crown has partially rotted, that is, only a part of it has suffered. In this case, they resort to the simplest method - replacing the rotten area.
In this case, the procedure will look like this:
- Pinpoint the decayed area precisely.
- Using a chisel, find out how deeply the tree is rotten, and clear it from both ends.
- Step back 40 cm from each side of the decayed area.
- Install screeds with a height of 2-3 crowns. Pin the 40 mm thick boards to the log outside and inside. Make holes in the first and last rim to be pulled together. Insert stud ties with a minimum diameter of 12 mm through and through.
- Cut the rotten area with a chainsaw.
- Make grooves 20 cm wide for a secure fit with the new insert.
- A wood insert is made of such a diameter and length as the dismantled section. Do not forget to make mating cuts on the new insert.
- Place the insert in place of the deleted segment. To make it firmly in place, use a sledgehammer, placing a block under it.
- In place with 20 cm notches, drill 3 through holes on 2 sides and drive pins into them to fasten the old wood and insert.
- The gaps must be carefully drilled. You can use jute or tow for this.
This method does not require much effort and time, but the integrity of the log is violated.
Repair of house crowns using a jack
For a high-quality and thorough repair of the lower rims, you will need a jack. Easier to work with a columnar base. In this case, a base for the jack is made between the posts (for this you can use a concrete block, a board made of 50x50 boards). Please note that the stove or fireplace must be installed on a separate foundation. But before you raise the house, you need to prepare very carefully for work:
The scheme of raising the walls using struts: 1 - washer; 2 - bolt; 3 - compression; 4 - brace; 5 - staples.
- Take out the window frames and door frames, take out all the furniture.
- The chimney must be separated from the ceilings and the roof, otherwise there is a risk that it could damage them with its weight.
- Separate the floor from the walls. If it is not cut into the lower crown and does not need to be changed, then you can leave it. Otherwise, the floor must be disassembled, the support posts must be installed under the logs and separated from the crown.
- Fasten those crowns that you will not change with boards 40 mm thick. Having retreated 50 cm from the corner of the building, pin them in an upright position to the frame. Fix the lower edge of the board into the lowest crown of those that will not change. Fasten the upper edge in the upper rim. The boards are fixed from the inside and outside. Secure the upper and lower edges with through pins.
After completing all the preparatory activities, you can start lifting the house.
Repair of rotten logs in a house on a columnar foundation
First you need to prepare a place for the jack. It should rest against the upper serviceable crown. To do this, in the lower logs that will change, you need to cut a segment for installing the jack. After that, measure the height of the jack with the rod raised and lowered, and compare it with the height from the ground to the timber on which the jack will need to be supported. Sometimes you have to dig a hole to install it. Then a reliable base is prepared under the jack. You will need 4 jacks in total. They should be installed, stepping back from the corner of the structure 80-100 cm.
Repair of crowns in a house on a strip base
- In the logs that you are going to replace, you need to cut out recesses in order to get the lever there (a log, channel can serve as it). Inside, the floor must be disassembled.
- Jacks are placed outside as close as possible to the foundation of the house.
- Insert a lever into the cut-out recess and place a support - a block of concrete - under its inner end.
- Lay the end of the lever on the outside of the jack.
- Thanks to the jack, the lever will rise, and with it the building. At this point, insert wedges between the foundation and the raised house.
- Repair the crowns. Note that using the levers, each side must be lifted one at a time.
- Having completed the repair of the logs, the recess through which the lever was wound will need to be repaired.
Make sure that the lifting of the house on jacks occurs evenly.
After completing all the work, do not forget to process the crowns, this will extend the service life and preserve the appearance of the wood. To do this, use a wood preservative and insect repellent. In addition, be sure to take care of high-quality waterproofing of the lower rims. To do this, lay 3 layers of roofing material treated with bitumen mastic. And only after that the first mortgage crown is laid.
Repairing the crowns of a wooden house is a rather laborious and responsible job.
Therefore, in case of the slightest doubt, it is advisable to enlist the support of professionals. It is advisable to carry out work in dry weather. Correctly performed repairs of rotten logs will allow the house to stand for a long time, increasing the strength and reliability of the entire structure.