Cob: Re: Florida soil

[David Knowlton]

Ryan,

Hi, I'm from Tampa. I have no unconventional building experience. I was told 
that to build an earthen dwelling in Florida one should use Earthbags. I 
think you can find info if you search on earthbags,
or earth bags, or natural building. The product is a synthetic cloth tube 
that you fill with earth, and I suppose coil up to enclose a space. I was 
thinking of posts and beams for a framework, and maybe a central pillar to 
support a corbelled roof. Keep asking questions of this group and they will 
give you plenty of info. Good luck

David


>From: Ryan Griffin <ryangriffin1975 at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: Ryan Griffin <ryangriffin1975 at yahoo.com>
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: Cob: Re: Florida soil
>Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 14:14:40 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
>It may be very sandy, I will have to inquire.  If it is, can't I still dig 
>my trench, fill it with gravel, and import clay and sand?
>
>
>Lisa <downloadstorage at yahoo.com> wrote:
>my concern with this plan is the nature of Florida soil... in my 
>experience, it is very sandy.  do you think it will be suited to cob?
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Ryan Griffin
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2003 1:10 AM
>Subject: Cob: RE: Cob in Florida?
>
>
>Hello All!
>I am a single mom in North Florida, Jacksonville.  I am getting ready to 
>start prospecting land as I am interested in building a cob dwelling.  I 
>have a question though.  I used to live in Tallahassee, FL in a concrete 
>house.  Once, there was a problem with the roof or drainage system or 
>something or other and the walls started to bleed water when it would rain 
>or get very damp outside.  It got so bad that about a foot of mold started 
>to grow around the upper part of the walls.  My dogs and I all three got 
>sick.  Does the weather in Florida permit cob building without the threat 
>of mold, insects, and vermin?  Does anyone have the answer to this before I 
>start prospecting land.  Also, I would like to pay for all my materials in 
>cash, ideally.  Does anyone have an idea of approximate cost of building a 
>3000 square foot cob house with recycled windows and a door.  So, 
>basically, we're talking roof, frame, plumbing, electrical, building 
>supplies, etc.  Does a cob house need a frame, a
>  two story cob?  I know these are many questions but I thank anyone who 
>has any ideas or answers.  Is $10,000 for materials plus septic tank about 
>right?
>
>Thanks, Ryan in Jacksonville
>
>
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