Subject: Log Home repair
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999Hello, we live in Westwold, British Columbia, about 25 miles East of Kamloops. We are interested in your product CPES. Our log home has a problem with 8 of the 15 cross member logs supporting the main floor members. These horizontal logs were use to support a cantilevered deck and the exposed surface of each log was shaved flat to support the deck itself. I have since cut the logs off about 6 inches past the exterior wall under the overhang and removed the deck. So, now I can see the dry rot in the end of the logs that have been cut off. I pushed a wire probe into the rotten wood; in some of the logs it went to a depth of 15 inches and some it went in 5 to 7 inches. The logs vary in diameter between 18 inches to 14 inches but the rot seems to be in the top part of the logs only. I figure the total approx. volume of dry rot to be 1291 cubic inch., which is I think is about 5.5US gal.? Can your product fix this and how much do you think I need.
I am going to assume that you have some access to the top of the logs. I believe you do, the way you describe the situation. So, after the wood is reasonably dry (no water can be pressed out of it) you will drill a few 1/4" or larger access holes on the top of the log, making them go about halfway into the log. Stagger these and put them about 5-7 inches apart. Now inject CPES into all the holes, moving from one to the other and allowing them to absorb all the CPES they will (usually takes about 1/2 to 3/4 hour of injection. A kitchen baster is a perfect tool for applying the CPES to the holes. Next, take an old brush and apply CPES to the surface and end of the log, again allowing the wood to absorb all that it will. You are now done with the CPES. It will take as long as 2 weeks to fully cure. Be patient. It will harden the wood and, equally important, it will encapsulate the rot fungi, making it extremely difficult for them to reproduce. Those logs will be highly rot resistant.
Estimating quantity in log repair is very difficult, because often the rot goes further than you may believe, and CPES will follow wood rot through a log for as far as 6 feet or more from one injection point. This is good. It's getting rot you cannot even see. From what you describe, I would estimate an order of two of the 2-gallon units would be appropriate. This will probably be enough, but if not then you can re-order.
I would also like to know what would be the correct way to repair this problem. Can you explain to me how to seal the end of the log so the CPES does not seep out?
Don't worry too much about the CPES seeping out. Start your CPES application away from the log end. When it starts seeping out then you know it has penetrated the wood in between. You can put a pan under the end and catch what comes out and re-apply. There will be some drippage and a little loss, but not much.
What can I do about rotten wood that has fallen out of the end of the log to fix it so that I end up with a repair that looks natural?
What you do here is use our Layup & Laminating Resin mixed with sawdust into a paste to replace missing wood. If you get the right color sawdust then it will be a match, or you can use dry paint pigments (burnt umber and maybe a little yellow) to color the putty mixture. You'll have to do a little testing here to get the color the way you want it. Our L&L Resin has a pot life of about 1 hour at 72F so there is time to work.
Is there somewhere in Orville, Washington that you can ship the product to that I could pick it up from? Or would it be as economical to have you ship it direct to me in Westwold. I will wait for your reply before I place an order? Could you also let me know what my total cost will be, including shipping in both cases.
We cannot ship CPES across international borders because it's a hazardous material and US carriers won't take it across (except FedEx, and they are horribly expensive). Canada customs doesn't care, and we supply all paperwork including a NAFTA statement, which eliminates any customs duties. So in your care it would mean shipping to Orville, WA.
Costs would be as follows: Two of the 2-gallon units would be US$298.90 and shipping to Oreville would be US$8.98. If you ordered the L&L Resin it would be US$80.60 for 2-quarts (probably enough) and the shipping would be US$9.88. Attached to the box would be all appropriate paperwork. You would supply the Orville shipping address, or if you can't perhaps we could find a place that would accept and hold the package.
Come back if I can answer further questions.
Doc
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