Cob: Getting Started

[Tracey Roberts]

I am here in southern oregon and getting ready to start on my first
project - a pump house for our new well.  I did the "jar test" on a few dirt
samples from around the property and have been letting it settle for days
and days.  The water's still very cloudy and dirty and it seems I have very
little clay.  Hmmm!  I may have to try some other sites for dirt, but
tomorrow is test brick day.  I am getting a late start due to a horrible hay
fever season!  My hubby (a contractor) is going to oversee things to make
sure I don't make any gross errors in judgement.  We're looking at 12' x
15'.  This well is right next to the old well, and the old pump house if
falling down.  (No foundation.)  So, I'll build this with a little room and
no short wall between them, just plenty of keying to add more.  Then if my
husband deems it structural we get to tear down the old one and connect them
into one large pumphouse / food storage.  I am not planning to put any
windows in, to keep the temp constant and keep it dark and cooler.  Does
anyone have thoughts / experience on a project like this?

Tracey R.