What's Your Cabin Hiding?

One corner sinking faster than others — doors jam, walls crack, floor slopes.

Wood piers in contact with soil absorb moisture for years before visible failure.

Freeze-thaw cycles shift shallow footings by inches each winter.

Early-stage cracking in stone foundations — manageable now, structural later.

Log ends absorb water 10x faster than faces. Hidden rot can extend 18" inward.

Gaps in mortar or sealant allow air, water, and insects direct entry into wall cavities.

Normal drying cracks that become problems when water pools and sits.

South-facing walls lose protective coating in 3–5 years without maintenance.

A single storm branch can puncture a metal roof and go unnoticed for a full season.

Leaf accumulation in roof valleys holds moisture against decking for months.

First wood to go on most cabins — leads to soffit failure and wall water entry.

Gutters pulling away from fascia redirect water along the foundation wall.

Ants don't eat wood — they excavate it. A mature colony hollows a log in 2–3 years.

Mud tubes on foundation piers signal active termite colonies beneath the structure.

Exit holes smaller than a pencil eraser. Frass powder inside confirms active infestation.

Relative humidity above 70% in the crawl space guarantees fungal growth within one season.

Pre-1950 cabins often have original wiring. No ground, no insulation tolerance, fire risk.

Glazed creosote in a chimney is nearly impossible to remove and ignites at 451°F.

Missing or cracked caps allow rain, birds, and squirrels direct access to the flue.

Original 60-amp service can't handle modern appliances — a common finding in older cabins.