Cob lime-stabilized cob

[Chuck Learned]

Michael,

I appreciate hearing about your plaster mixture. Could you share more on
this plaster
mix. (i.e. types of animal hair, length of hair, ratios of soil, sand and
lime.) Any other
helpful hints would be welcomed. We are in Wisconsin so a moisture
repellant, breathable
plaster is of keen interest.

In Peace and Mud,

Chuck Learned

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> From: Michael Saunby <mike at chook.demon.co.uk>
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Subject: Re: Cob lime-stabilized cob
> Date: Sunday, February 22, 1998 8:46 AM
> 
> > Hi everybody,
> > 
> > from many sources I learned that lime can be used to stabilize adobe,
rammed earth, etc. with a clay content of at least 20%. So it should work
with cob as well, right? Or am I missing something?
> > 
> > Uwe
> > 
> > 
> At the traditional building repair course  I attended here in Devon last 
> summer lime putty was added to the cob that we made.  How useful it is I 
> don't know since the proportion used is likely to be very small, I also 
> doubt that it was added traditionally.  
> 
> One traditional use of lime that I've found works well for me is to make 
> plaster from earth, lime, and sand to give a breathable but weather proof
> external coating.  It dries very hard but is still close enough in
> its make up to the cob that it doesn't crack off.  The plaster should 
> really have animal hair added and then be finished off with a few coats 
> of limewash (add soil or pigments for colour).
> 
> -- 
> Michael Saunby
> Teachmore Farm, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, Devon, United Kingdom. EX20 3AJ