Cob: plastering adobes

Sat Mar 3 14:55:11 CST 2001

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<P>Laura      I wanted to add that the adobes might be stabalized with asphaltium or some other stabilizer which will make the surface harder and slightly different than unstabalized cob.  But applying an earthen plaster in thin coats should not be difficult and will be much easier without the lath  Make sure the surface is good and wet before applying the plaster.  The reasons I am attracted to earth over cement are health, life span and beauty.  </P>
<P>Ben Graham<BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: John Fordice <OTHERFISH at HOME.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: otherfish at home.com 
<DIV></DIV>>To: ben graham <BENFRANKG at HOTMAIL.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>CC: adobe50 at hotmail.com, coblist at deatech.com 
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Cob: plastering adobes 
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2001 17:48:54 -0800 
<DIV></DIV>> 
<DIV></DIV>>Experience has shown the use of portland cement plaster (commonly known 
<DIV></DIV>>as stucco) to be detrimental to earth walls. 
<DIV></DIV>>As I understand it, what happens is: The stucco will develop cracks ( 
<DIV></DIV>>as stucco does ) & this will let water into the wall. Since the stucco 
<DIV></DIV>>passes water vapor more slowly that the earth wall, the moisture will 
<DIV></DIV>>tend to collect in the outer portion of the earth wall. When the wall 
<DIV></DIV>>cools at night or in cold weather, the moisture that has thus been thus 
<DIV></DIV>>essentially trapped in the wall will then condense on the backside 
<DIV></DIV>>(earth wall contact side) of the stucco and cause a softening of the 
<DIV></DIV>>earth wall it that point. This ultimately results in a spalling off of 
<DIV></DIV>>the outer layer of the earth wall and a loss of bond between the wall at 
<DIV></DIV>>the stucco covering. The stucco then is free to crack even more, 
<DIV></DIV>>aggravating the condition & it eventually comes loose and takes a 
<DIV></DIV>>portion of the outer surface of the wall with it. 
<DIV></DIV>>So the stucco which was put on the wall to protect it, actually damages 
<DIV></DIV>>the wall & makes for greater erosion of the wall than if it had been 
<DIV></DIV>>left un plastered. 
<DIV></DIV>> 
<DIV></DIV>>If you wish to plaster cob, use an earth or lime sand plaster. 
<DIV></DIV>> 
<DIV></DIV>>ben graham wrote: 
<DIV></DIV>> > 
<DIV></DIV>> > Laura, 
<DIV></DIV>> > 
<DIV></DIV>> > I think you have the right idea. Plastering adobe is just like 
<DIV></DIV>> > plastering cob. All the in between brick spaces actually support the 
<DIV></DIV>> > plaster better, so no lath is necessary. 
<DIV></DIV>> > 
<DIV></DIV>> > Best 
<DIV></DIV>> > 
<DIV></DIV>> > Ben Graham 
<DIV></DIV>> > 
<DIV></DIV>> > >From: "Laura Guldin" 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Reply-To: "Laura Guldin" 
<DIV></DIV>> > >To: coblist at deatech.com 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Subject: Cob: plastering adobes 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2001 22:31:54 
<DIV></DIV>> > > 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Hello yaall, 
<DIV></DIV>> > >I am in Texas visiting my friend who's building an adobe. She's 
<DIV></DIV>> > >cement 
<DIV></DIV>> > >stuccoing the outside (not my idea) and I am talking to her about 
<DIV></DIV>> > >earth 
<DIV></DIV>> > >plastering the inside. The adobes are cement stuccoed together. 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Anything 
<DIV></DIV>> > >special about adobes.? She put lathing on the outside adobes. I 
<DIV></DIV>> > >don't want 
<DIV></DIV>> > >to do that. 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Any ideas or hints? Is it pretty much like plastering cob? 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Thank you kindly 
<DIV></DIV>> > >Ulani 
<DIV></DIV>> > >_________________________________________________________________ 
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