Cob: RE: breathing cob walls

Sat May 13 10:01:48 CDT 2000

I agree with the idea that sealing with a water impermeable sealent is not
advised.
I investigated Potassium silicate a few years ago, so my memory is foggy. I
do remember that P.S. when combined with clay forms a complete molecule that
is water impervious. I seem to remember vapor impervious as well. This is
where the chemist in the group need to step in. I was considering coating
some earthen cold frames. I chose instead to use lime and linseed oil.

P.S. is used in the clay pottery business to seal their finishes, I believe.
I seem to remember about $12.00 a gallon. I am currently working with Harry
Francis' formula for stabilized earth of 1pt lime putty to 4pts soil. I am
excited about this for our Northern climates in Wisconsin. I am sure I will
be adding linseed oil as well. The last edition of the last straw had
Harry's article for the few holdouts who have not yet subscribed.

Chuck

    IT IS DANGEROUS TO TRY TO SEAL AN ADOBE OR COB WALL.  THEY NEED TO
BREATHE.

    Potassium silicate, I believe is a sealants that can cause this gradual
deterioration of unfired clay walls.    You may be undermining your
building.  Just what potassium silicate would do to garden walls is another
question.

    Bob

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<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>I 
agree with the idea that sealing with a water impermeable sealent is not 
advised.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial 
size=2></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff 
face=Arial size=2>I investigated Potassium silicate a few years ago, so my 
memory is foggy. I do remember that P.S. when combined with clay forms a 
complete molecule that is water impervious. I seem to remember vapor impervious 
as well. This is where the chemist in the group need to step in. I was 
considering coating some earthen cold frames. I chose instead to use lime and 
linseed oil. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial 
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2>P.S. 
is used in the clay pottery business to seal their finishes, I believe. I seem 
to remember about $12.00 a gallon. I am currently working with Harry Francis' 
formula for stabilized earth of 1pt lime putty to 4pts soil. I am excited about 
this for our Northern climates in Wisconsin. I am sure I will be adding linseed 
oil as well. The last edition of the last straw had Harry's article for the few 
holdouts who have not yet subscribed.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial 
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=760135014-13052000><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial 
size=2>Chuck</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE 
style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"><BR>IT 
    IS DANGEROUS TO TRY TO SEAL AN ADOBE OR COB WALL.  THEY NEED TO 
    BREATHE.<BR><BR>Potassium silicate, I believe is a sealants that can cause 
    this gradual deterioration of unfired clay walls.    You may 
    be undermining your building.  Just what potassium silicate would do to 
    garden walls is another question.  <BR><BR>Bob 
<BR><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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