How to Prepare your Log Cabin in the Mountains for Winter

Winterizing a log cabin at high elevation is more demanding than at lower altitudes because you’ll deal with deeper snow loads, stronger winds, longer sub-freezing periods, and rapid temperature swings.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist tailored by Lovitt's Coatings and MM Wood Restoration & Protection for taking care of your mountain log home:

1. Exterior Logs & Chinking/Sealant

• Inspect every log, corner, and butt joint in late summer/early fall. Look for checks (cracks) wider than ½" and failed chinking/caulk.
• Re-chink or re-caulk immediately — water that gets in and freezes will blow logs apart.
• Apply a fresh coat of high-quality stain & sealer or a fresh topcoat of penetrating stain (pigmented, oil-based with great UV protection) if your last coat is >3–4 years old. Do this when wood temp is above 50 °F / 10 °C.
• Pay special attention to south- and west-facing walls (most sun/wind damage) and all logs within 3 ft. of the ground (snow splash zone).
• It never hurts to add some stain to the log ends every fall.  Stay away from the "log end sealers" on the market, they damper the maintenance down the road and create problems, better to just saturate the log ends with a high quality penetrating stain until it won't absorb any more.
• Wipe the tops of your exposed log or wood railings every fall and spring.

2. Roof & Snow Load Management

• Log homes in heavy snow country should have a 12/12 pitch and metal roofing if possible. We do not recommend asphalt shingles at these altitudes.
• Install snow guards or snow fences/clips on metal roofs to prevent avalanche sliding onto decks, entries, or propane tanks.
• Reinforce overhangs and rake edges in high altitude locations.
• Clear pine needles and leaves from valleys and gutters before first snow.

3. Gutters, Downspouts & Ice Dam Prevention

• Install heat tape (self-regulating) on all gutters, downspouts, and the first 3–6 ft of roof edge if you’ve ever had ice dams.
• Make sure every downspout has a minimum 10-ft extension or is tied into buried drain line so meltwater is carried well away from the foundation.

4. Foundation & Crawlspace/Basement

• Close foundation vents (install insulated vent covers).
• Make sure crawlspace/basement stays above freezing: add heat tape to any water lines and insulate the floor above with R-30+ if it’s not already.
• Skirt the foundation with 2" XPS rigid foam or insulated skirting panels if you have a raised pier foundation.

5. Water System (Critical!)

Mountain log homes lose water pipes every winter. Do not skip this:

• Main house occupied all winter → Insulate all exterior walls pipes with heat tape + foam sleeves and leave a trickle running on the furthest faucet during extreme cold snaps (< -10 °F / -23 °C).
• House left unoccupied any length of time → Completely drain the system:
  • Shut off main valve (or well pump breaker).
  • Open every faucet, flush valve, shower diverter, washing machine valve.
  • Blow out lines with compressed air (35–50 psi max) or use RV antifreeze in all traps and toilet tanks.
  • Drain pressure tank, water heater, and expansion tank.

6. Windows & Doors

• Check weather stripping and thresholds; replace if hardened.
• Install or re-apply removable exterior storm panels (polycarbonate or treated plywood) on large south-facing windows if you get blowing snow.
• Caulk around all window and door trim again — logs settle and gaps reopen.

7. Chimney & Wood/Pellet Stove

• Professional chimney sweep and inspection every fall.
• Install a spark arrestor with ⅜" mesh (heavy ember loads from pine at high elevation).
• Stock 3–4 months of seasoned firewood under cover and off the ground.

8. Snow Removal & Access

• Roof rake with slide guards (or hire a roof snow removal company if you get >8 ft on the ground).
• Keep a minimum 5-ft cleared perimeter around the house so drifting snow doesn’t pile against logs.
• Plow or snow-blow a path to propane fill valves, electrical meter, and crawlspace access.

9. Power Outage Preparedness

At high elevation you can be without power for days:

• Whole-house or at least critical-circuit generator (propane or diesel) with auto-transfer switch.
• Stock extra propane (500–1000 gal tanks common in the mountains).
• CO detectors hard-wired with battery backup on every level.

10. Rodent & Insect Protection

Mice and critters love log homes in winter:

• Plug every hole larger than ¼" with copper mesh + spray foam, chink around for aesthetics.
• Set traps early (September) before they move in.

Do the bulk of this work while you still have 50 °F days for staining and caulking. Once the temperature drops below freezing at night, many products won’t cure properly, visit Lovitt's Professional Coatings if you have any questions about the interior or exterior logs, decks, wood railings, and wood siding on your log cabin.