Cob: insects and other plagues

[D.J. Henman]

Scott,
I understand.   What I remember reading was of
people WORRYING about mold, but the only case I recall of an actual 
report of it was, Kim, I believe and it was during the construction 
phase and not after it had dried and set to a state of normal 
equilibrium with its surrounding air.   

Again, I wrote about what I saw in a particular area.     Now if anyone 
out there knows of any actual case of mold problems in a mature, say 
over six months old, cob building, please let us know the area, and the 
circumstances, use of the room, etc...

Here is another example of the use of an earthen material, mixed with 
Spanish moss and hair, called (I remembered this time),  bousillage.    
Used between walls or on the outside coated with a mud or lime finish as 
I recall.     Mainly used in the hot, humid Louisiana.

Here is some reference information the might be fun to read:
[http://www.landrystuff.com/architecture.html

Picture of a  2 ½ story structure of cypress timbers and bousillage
http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Images/Travel_Article_Library/Louisiana/Prudhomme_Roquier_House.jpg

http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Images/Travel_Article_Library/Louisiana/Melrose_Plantation.jpg

Diagram: http://www.laheritage.org/CreoleHeritage/color/Creole17.gif

This usage of bousillage reminds me a lot of the "light clay" or straw 
dipped in a clay slurry and applied as an infill.

Thanks,
Darel

-----------------

Scott Van Kirk wrote:

> I have heard other people on this list complain about mold on their 
> earthen walls.  They
> say that using a lime finish is an excellent way to get rid of it.
>
> -Scott
>
> On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:00:28 +0900, D.J. Henman 
> <henman at it.to-be.co.jp> wrote:
>
>> Quinn,
>>
>> Quinn wrote:
>>
>>> What can folks tell me about moisture in general?
>>>
>> It consists of H2O.
>>
>>> I've read that the air in a cob home is easier to breathe, less dry 
>>> than a 'typical' home.  Here in GA this year we've had phenomenal 
>>> rainfall and mold, mildew, and dampness have become really problematic.
>>>
>>>
>> Seriously, however, I have found little or no mold on earthen walls 
>> as opposed to some or more on  concrete walls based on empirical 
>> knowledge.  Any moisture in the wall, even in GA when hit by the sun 
>> will evaporate and cool the house down somewhat.
>>
>>> Considering cob in the same (-ish) environment, how much of an issue 
>>> will this be with an earthen home?
>>>
>> I don't think there will be any.  I've seen earthen walls in very 
>> humid environments and storage buildings made out it to keep valuable 
>> documents from mold and aging.
>>
>> Also somewhere out Louisana way, homes were built with soil, spanish 
>> moss, and animal hair, as a crack-stoppers and installed in walls.    
>> Sorry I forgot the name for this kind of material, but it is a non- 
>> English based word.    There is at least one over a hundred year old 
>> southern estate house that has this type of soil mixture in its walls.
>>
>>> Not so much for the walls/ building itself, but for the furniture, 
>>> clothes, wood and leather contained therein.
>>>
>>> TIA, this list is great!
>>> Quinn
>>>
>>>
>> Darel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>