MECHANICALS: Open floor plans are essence of modern log home. They make a home feel larger, and keep cook from feeling isolated. However, if you're planning a second floor you need to consider how you are going to get plumbing, electric and ductwork (both supply and return) to upstairs rooms. You won't be using exterior walls for that, so you need to create enough interior walls on main floor to fit all mechanicals. Even if you use radiant-floor heating, you'll need ductwork for air conditioning. There are some systems that use high-pressure ductwork much smaller in diameter than conventional ducts, so there are other possibilities if you are pressed for space. But best solution is to think ahead. Each object in all likelihood will take its own space between 2x4s. If you're tempted to use an interior full-log wall (or none at all), you may be sacrificing an opportunity to get more ductwork upstairs.  

PLUMBING: The wisest floor plans are ones that try to keep bathrooms together (either back-to-back or one directly above other) and shortest runs on plumbing. This can't always be done, but when placing upstairs bathroom, try to line it up with an interior downstairs wall. This way plumbing doesn't have to snake all over place.

CLOSETS:  I would venture to guess that log homes are usually notoriously short on closet space. I know my home is. First of all, it would be a terrible waste to put a closet against an exterior log wall. Why hide your beautiful logs? And because we try to keep square footage down to a minimum, it almost seems a crime to waste precious space on closets. However, there's more than one reason to include them. Not only do we seem to collect more stuff as we get older, but by law in several states closet determines whether a room is a bedroom or an office. This could affect resale (or refinancing) of your house. Here is a suggestion: put two closets side-by-side on wall separating two rooms; closets may not be huge, but it doesn't change shape of rooms. Try to include a coat closet near your front door. 

WINDOWS: As I'm sure you've already read many times, you can't have too many windows in a log home. The wood sucks up light like a sponge. If you have a large empty wall, insertion of a window near peak not only lets in more light, it adds character. Some people add windows along either side of a shed dormer. Placement can be critical; in my case, I had to move roof line to increase size of my bedroom window, because by code it needed to be 6' square for egress (In any upstairs bedroom you'll need your windows to be large enough to climb out in case of fire.). Also remember that too many direct-set windows will decrease amount of air flow to your upstairs. In my house I added an awning (a small hinged window) to bottom of stationery windows in my dormers. This helped let air in, but even so rooms can be stuffy. A ceiling fan helps, but ultimately I may need to add a skylight to create a draft.

KITCHEN VENT: One of more difficult decisions we made concerned how to vent range hood. If you don't want your stove to be on an exterior wall, you are going to have an interesting puzzle. Will you run exhaust duct between floor joists to exterior? Will run be so long you'll have to add another fan? I gave in and moved my stove to exterior wall, but then we had to cut a hole in logs for vent. Horrors! How do you hide that? My builder built a little cedar box around hole and we were lucky enough to have a porch roof underneath, so you can't see it from every direction. Still, this ugly vent is on front of house, and had I thought of it, I may have moved kitchen to back of house.

As a service company we are constantly asked, “Why doesn’t my dishwasher clean better”. To this query we offer following insights and suggestions.

Whenever we diagnose a “poor cleaning” complaint main things we want to know are:

1 Is water hot enough? 2 Using a proper detergent? 3 Using a rinse additive? 4 Using proper loading practices? 1 Water temperature

Most manufacturers suggest a minimum 120 Fahrenheit for dishwasher to begin cleaning process, 140 to remove food soiling, and 155 to sanitize and remove bacteria. In restaurants they boost dishwasher temperature to 180 Fahrenheit to satisfy health requirements. Consumers misunderstanding these requirements have led to problems for household dishwasher.

In a dishwasher temperature of wash water is paramount. Unfortunately, It is now common to find household water temperatures of only 100 Fahrenheit, or less.

Many people have lowered their household water temperature in an effort to be conscientious consumers. Yes, it lowers electrical consumption. Unfortunately it has other consequences.

Manufacturers say it does not provide enough heat to clean dishes properly and can leave them covered in bacteria and food residue. Supporters of lower water temperatures claim it is both environmentally friendly and necessary to protect children from any possibility of scalding at bath time.

One of latest ideas is a mixing valve added to hot water tanks. It is preset and will not allow temperatures in excess of 115 Fahrenheit. It does this by mixing cold water with hot to maintain this preset maximum.

This debate over hot water tank temperatures has resulted in a catch 22 type scenario. Lower temperature to lower consumption and be more child safe, but end up leaving bacteria on plates we use to eat.

Low water temperature can also affect cycle length. If too low dishwasher may keep stopping to try and heat water. A normal cycle of 40 minutes could be extended to 2 or 3 hours with all heating delays. Some dishwashers may stall completely.

2 Using proper detergent

Gel or crystal, choice is yours. Both seem to work equally well.

Crystal is less messy, while gel will dissolve quicker with water. If your water temperature is low (as described above) gel may be a choice because it will mix better.

If using crystal detergent be aware that it can pick up moisture from air. When this happens it will swell up and become lumpy or harden. These lumps will be difficult to break down and will not fully dissolve. If at cycle’s end you see detergent left inside it may be evidence of hardened crystals.

Additional evidence of moisture buildup can be seen if box itself appears to be swollen. If seen, replace immediately with a fresh box.

A box of detergent should be consumed within 2-3 months. If not throw it away and buy a new one. Match box size to your needs. Do not buy a large box just because it is on sale. If you have to throw most of it away, it wasn’t much of a bargain.

Some detergent manufacturers now offer a product that combines detergent with rinse additive. Others offer a detergent that includes a special grease-dissolving agent. Still others are in a tab form, or inside a dissolvable plastic pouch. Whichever form you prefer one thing we always stress is, “when you find one that works for you stick with it … even if it costs more than others”.

Also dishwashing detergent and dishwasher detergent are not interchangeable. Trying to do so will cause problems. Each type of detergent is formulated to do a specific job.