[Cob] lime mortar

[Dulane]

It seems if the foundation outlasted the old barn...the lime mortar did its
job for a long time.

-----Original Message-----
From: coblist-bounces at deatech.com [mailto:coblist-bounces at deatech.com] On
Behalf Of howard at earthandstraw.com
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:54 AM
To: coblist at deatech.com
Subject: Re: [Cob] lime mortar

>From your description it does not sound like the wall failed because of the
mortar but from the soaking and softening of the soil below it from being
unprotected.


Howard Switzer, Architect
668 Hurricane Creek Road
Linden, TN 37096
931-589-6513
www.earthandstraw.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Smolen 
  To: coblist at deatech.com 
  Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 12:19 AM
  Subject: [Cob] lime mortar


  Last fall, I started gathering old foundation rocks for my cob project. At
two sites,only the 8ft stone stem wall was standing where a barn once stood.
It was probably 110 years or older. I was able to knock down the wall by
pushing on a leaning section. I did not really look at the foundation but
the owners commented that the wall came down easy because of the mortar used
in the old days. I believe he said it lacked cement which means it must have
been lime mortar. Is this an indictment of a non cement mortar? I know the
wall was subjected to years of weather unprotected so  maybe deterioration
should be expected. On the other hand, I dont think the weather would have
affected cement mortar. ( I did not notice the foundation wall. It may have
heaved after the roof of the barn was off allowing moisture under the footer
causing frost heave).
  Is lime mortar as good or close to as good as cement mortar for buiding
stone walls?
  Thanks,
  Bob
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