Log cabin help

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:14 pm

Hi, I need some advice on how to make this log cabin water tight and condensation free, the panels are only around 18mm thick and t & g, they have been painted with gloss on the inside and wood care treatment on the outside. Last year the boards moved and a gap was created by expansion and contraction. I didn't build this as I'm posting for a friend. There was water coming in from the roof but I've painted it with fibre roof paint and its ok now.

What would we need to do ? Remove the gloss paint ? Would it be better to insulate the walls and ceiling and if so what would be best to use ?

Many thanks

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:21 pm

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big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:40 pm

you need masses off ventilation or decent through ventilation to remove the moisture
is the moisture a suspected leak or condensation ??
if you are not sure a plastic bag over the worst damp area and check to see which side has more moisture on it after a day or so

as an aside
gloss paint is the worst as water cannot pass through at all easily so internal moisture cannot be absorbed and released meaning the water just sits on the painted surface
and outside moisture will get trapped and cause at best discolouration at worst decay

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 7:38 pm

big-all wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:40 pm you need masses off ventilation or decent through ventilation to remove the moisture
is the moisture a suspected leak or condensation ??
if you are not sure a plastic bag over the worst damp area and check to see which side has more moisture on it after a day or so

as an aside
gloss paint is the worst as water cannot pass through at all easily so internal moisture cannot be absorbed and released meaning the water just sits on the painted surface
and outside moisture will get trapped and cause at best discolouration at worst decay

Thank you, will try and add more ventilation and remove the gloss paint, dont think there's any leaks now. Is it worth insulating or just add more ventilation and maybe a dehumidifier ?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Sep 23, 2024 9:08 pm

it may not be gloss if its porous you won't get beads/drops off water if thats the case i wouldnt worry too much about removing
iff you are heating for extended periods often then look at insulation but be prepaired to loose 75-125mm on every wall for 20mm air gap and 50-100mm insulation

Sparky70 · Post by **Sparky70** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 1:21 pm

big-all wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 9:08 pm it may not be gloss if its porous you won't get beads/drops off water if thats the case i wouldnt worry too much about removing
iff you are heating for extended periods often then look at insulation but be prepaired to loose 75-125mm on every wall for 20mm air gap and 50-100mm insulation

Hi, it is gloss paint on the interior, the cabin has no heater inside. I was thinking would it be a good idea to add some more vents on the wall, buy a dehumidifier and possibly my some silver backed insulation at a reasonable price ?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Sep 30, 2024 2:27 pm

insulation serves no purpose without heat as all it will do is average out the highs and lows off temperature, in fact in the winter solar gain on a sunny day on a black roof can be quite useful

i would say overdo the vents and make them closing vents to allow variation
not sure about foil insulation as i suspect it works best with high to low heat transfer and not work will low differences but fully an un educated opinion