diff --git a/doc/config/logging.md b/doc/config/logging.md
index 0da98e8a..5220a465 100644
--- a/doc/config/logging.md
+++ b/doc/config/logging.md
@@ -39,3 +39,25 @@ Log rotation is controlled using the global `log` setting.
 **Example:**
 
     service log:prio:user.warn,tag:ntpd /sbin/ntpd pool.ntp.org -- NTP daemon
+
+Output Buffering
+----------------
+
+When using the `log` directive, Finit redirects the service's stdout and
+stderr to a pipe connected to a logger process.  Programs detect this as
+non-interactive output (i.e., `isatty()` returns false) and typically
+switch from line-buffered to fully-buffered mode.
+
+Most well-behaved daemons explicitly flush their output or use syslog
+directly, so this is rarely an issue.  However, if a service's log
+messages appear delayed or batched, you can force line-buffered output
+by wrapping the command with `stdbuf`:
+
+    service log /usr/bin/stdbuf -oL /path/to/command -- My service
+
+The `-oL` option forces line-buffered output, and `-o0` forces unbuffered
+output.  See `stdbuf(1)` for details.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> Using `stdbuf` is rarely necessary. Only use it if you observe actual
+> buffering issues with a specific service.
diff --git a/src/service.c b/src/service.c
index 9d59c1ca..a161b6f0 100644
--- a/src/service.c
+++ b/src/service.c
@@ -271,25 +271,22 @@ static int lredirect(svc_t *svc)
 {
 	static int have_sysklogd = -1;
 	pid_t svc_pid = getpid();
+	int pipefd[2];
 	pid_t pid;
 	int fd;
 
 	/*
-	 * Open PTY to connect to logger.  A pty isn't buffered
-	 * like a pipe, and it eats newlines so they aren't logged
+	 * Use a pipe to connect to logger.  This ensures isatty()
+	 * returns false for the service, preventing programs from
+	 * emitting ANSI escape codes and other TTY-specific output.
 	 */
-	fd = posix_openpt(O_RDWR);
-	if (fd == -1) {
-		dbg("Failed posix_openpt(), errno %d: %s", errno, strerror(errno));
-		svc->log.enabled = 0;
-		return -1;
-	}
-	if (grantpt(fd) == -1 || unlockpt(fd) == -1) {
-		dbg("Failed grantpt()|unlockpt(), errno %d: %s", errno, strerror(errno));
-		close(fd);
+	if (pipe(pipefd) == -1) {
+		dbg("Failed pipe(), errno %d: %s", errno, strerror(errno));
 		svc->log.enabled = 0;
+
 		return -1;
 	}
+	fd = pipefd[1];  /* Write end for service */
 
 	/*
 	 * First time, check if we have sysklogd logger tool.
@@ -319,17 +316,12 @@ static int lredirect(svc_t *svc)
 		char *prio = "daemon.info";
 		char buf[MAX_IDENT_LEN];
 		char *tag;
-		int fds;
 
 		sched_yield();
 
-		fds = open(ptsname(fd), O_RDONLY);
-		close(fd);
-		if (fds == -1) {
-			logit(LOG_WARNING, "failed open() ptsname(%d), errno %d", fd, errno);
-			_exit(0);
-		}
-		dup2(fds, STDIN_FILENO);
+		close(pipefd[1]);  /* Close write end in logger */
+		dup2(pipefd[0], STDIN_FILENO);
+		close(pipefd[0]);
 
 		/* Reset signals */
 		sig_unblock();
@@ -385,10 +377,11 @@ static int lredirect(svc_t *svc)
 		_exit(1);
 	}
 
-	dup2(fd, STDOUT_FILENO);
-	dup2(fd, STDERR_FILENO);
+	close(pipefd[0]);  /* Close read end in service */
+	dup2(pipefd[1], STDOUT_FILENO);
+	dup2(pipefd[1], STDERR_FILENO);
 
-	return close(fd);
+	return close(pipefd[1]);
 }
 
 /*