[Cob] Cold damp cob

[Susan Hagan]

Dear Janet,

I have just finished a 2 month stint of cobbing in the Bulgarian winter when the temperature went down to -25. To prepare for this we prepared all the soil/clay in bags and brought them  inside. The sand was inside too and we made the cob as we needed it. As far as mould is concerned, being an Aromatherapist I knew the anti -mould properties of almost any essential oil and so we mixed a few drops into each batch.  3 or 4 will do if it is really wet. Once the cob is on the walls or wherever it is going and if mould begins to appear then I used a regular spray bottle with 6 drops of essentail oil in it and sprayed the mouldy part lightly. Wet cob can sometimes smell awful and this also helps the smell of the mud as one works with it. On one occasion we had bright pink mould covering one wall but a spraying of citronella, which is very cheap and smells lovely, got rid of it in 2 days. Be aware though that it must be true essential oil and not a chemical facsimile as this will not work at all. 

Hope this helps. 

Su Hagan (Cob in Bulgaria)
00359(0)895195318 (Bulgarian Mobile)  00359 6128263 (Bulgarian Landline) 

With Thanks. Susan Hagan.



> From: coblist-request at deatech.com
> Subject: Coblist Digest, Vol 8, Issue 37
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:00:02 -0800
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>    1. Cob in TX (Pack McKibben)
>    2. Re: Moldy test samples (Janet Standeford)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:50:46 -0800 (PST)
> From: Pack McKibben <gakayaker at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Cob] Cob in TX
> To: Coblist at deatech.com
> Message-ID: <140921.55254.qm at web54301.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> the Smithville, TX residence link doesn't work.  It looks interesting.
> Are there more pix?  or is the link broken?
>  Pack
> 
> 
> 
>       
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:34:44 -0800
> From: Janet Standeford <janet.standeford at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Cob] Moldy test samples
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Message-ID: <4B816EB4.9060204 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Well, I just discovered in checking my samples that too much cold and 
> damp can cause mold and keep it from drying at all.
> I moved them inside, near a small propane heater and it is finally 
> starting to show signs of drying. Still not too fast. Guess this is 
> where climate comes into play. It's been awfully cold and frosty up here 
> at night. I can see why you wouldn't want to build in the winter unless 
> you are in a dry and warmer area.
> I couldn't believe the mold. Didn't think it would stay wet long enough 
> to do that.
> Could I have added  too much water to start with. How dry should it be? 
> It holds together like a solid dry lump but just a little pressure 
> causes an indent. Maybe more straw?
> I need to make another set of samples soon if this doesn't dry a lot 
> faster and need to know the answers if anyone can help.
> 
> Janet Standeford
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> End of Coblist Digest, Vol 8, Issue 37
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