[Cob] foundations and waterproofing

[Peter Ellis]

So my question is why do you need to waterproof between the foundation and 
the cob ?

Peter Ellis


>From: Marlin Nissen <marlin_nissen at yahoo.com>
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: RE: [Cob] foundations and waterproofing
>Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005 20:10:20 -0800 (PST)
>
>Just out there lurking and wanted to muddy the waters (Pun intended)....
>
>If you're talking about Cob (clay / sand /straw) I WOULD'nt use a 
>waterproof membrane as that's where moisture will get trapped and do MORE 
>damage by trapping moisture at that point. Clay has a marvelous way of 
>absorbing moisture and then releasing it and the condensation/wicking would 
>come and go, based upon temp/humidity. Instead I think if you're very 
>worried about moisture getting up into the cob (from especially concrete) 
>I'd put a good, very sticky layer of mud.
>
>My rule is always "like with like" i.e. natural substance with natural cob, 
>not styrofoam, plastic or other unbreathing substances against something 
>(like cob) that falls apart if it can't breathe.
>
>My 2 cents,
>
>Marlin
>
>Amanda Peck <ap615 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>Never used this for anything, especially not a foundation, but would
>something like a brush-on EPDM coating work? between the foundation and the
>cob?
>
>Probably right expensive, but less annoying than putting something with all
>your mix on the lower end. Do it once and you're done. These guys swear
>that they're world-wide.
>
>http://www.epdmcoatings.com/
>
>Could the same thing be done with asphalt emulsion? That does tend to be
>inexpensive.
>
>
>From: Lorraine Z
>Topic: Foundations and waterproofing.
>What do others do about waterproofing between foundations and
>their cob walls? As most cobbers seem to have foundation rocks butting
>up into their walls rather than building a flat-topped foundation, it's
>not possible to use a waterproof membrane. We've priced commercial
>waterproofing solutions for adding into the foundation mix, and this
>would be far too expensive for us. Your comments would be much
>appreciated.
>
>
>
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