How to Deconstruct Log Cabins

Remember to inventory and number the wall logs for easy reassembly.

Deconstruction is an alternative to standard demolition, sometimes called "unbuilding." It is divided into three phases: strip-out, deconstruction and materials processing. Strip-out is the process of removing everything in the house, including furnishings, appliances, lighting, plumbing, interior trim, interior wallboard, insulation, windows and doors. Deconstruction is the disassembly of the structure itself. Materials processing is the plan you make to organize, inventory, label and store the reusable materials. Log cabins are often deconstructed to be rebuilt. Labeling the exterior wall logs with an accompanying diagram will be critical, because the fits between logs are not standardized.

Things You'll Need

• Crowbars ("Gorilla" bar, one 3-foot, one 4-foot, and a 12-inch flat-bar)
• Cats paw
• Cordless drill (w/ impact driver preferred)
• First-aid kit
• Claw hammer
• Sledge hammers (one 3-lb. hand sledge, one full-length 8-lb.)
• Hardhat
• Ladders (6- and 8-foot, plus one 20-foot extension ladder)
• Measuring tape
• Pliers
• Circular saw
• Reciprocating saw
• Screwdriver, six-way
• Shovels: regular, grain, and shingle
• Rakes
• Tin snips
• Vise grips
• Wheelbarrows
• Wire and bolt cutters
• Adjustable wrenches (open and socket)

Instructions

1. Strip the house out first. Disconnect electricity and gas (very important). Empty the house of anything not built in. Clean up after every task, or your work site will become overwhelming. Remove all the interior trim. Remove the doors and windows (most of these will be reusable). Remove the cabinets and bookshelves. Remove the plumbing. Remove the lighting. Remove any special architectural features such as fireplace mantles. Remove the wall and ceiling surfaces (whether drywall or plaster) and dispose of it. Remove the drywall nails from framing lumber while it is still in place. Remove the insulation.

2. Remove all non-load-bearing walls once the strip-out is complete, using the sledges and saws (those parallel to the ceiling joists). Do not remove load-bearing walls until the roof and/or upper floor is removed. Remove the roof next. Use a safety line on any roof steeper than 6-12 pitch. Shovel off the shingles, pry up the sheathing or plywood, then disassemble the rafters or trusses. Work from the top down, removing the attic floor, then the load-bearing walls that are clear from above. Saw out walls at the corners, then drop them whole, where they can be disassembled for framing lumber on the floor. Drop the exterior walls last, from the top down.

3. Begin the third step, materials processing, on the first day. Inventory and package materials for transportation. Log cabins present a special challenge if the logs are going to be reassembled. Inventory and mark each log for which wall it came from, and where on the wall (e.g., fifth from the bottom, Wall A-3).

Tips & Warnings

• Deconstruction, although it salvages much, also creates an enormous quantity of trash. Hire a dumpster or have a trash-hauling plan. Drywall and insulation alone will fill a 30-foot can more than once.

• Baby powder your exposed skin before handling fiberglass insulation.

• Deconstruction, by its nature, creates a hazardous environment. Stay alert. Never rush. Always deliberate about the next action before taking it.

References

• Bob Vila: Deconstruction for Reuse and Salvage
• Green Tools: Greenbridge Deconstruction Pilot

Resources

• Madison Environmental: Deconstruction Recycling How-To Guide