[Cob] Cob plumbing, wiring

[SUSAN EVANS]

A conduit for wiring is not very large - only a inch, maybe inch and a half.  I don't think that would harm structrual integrity at all.  Wiring could also be run on the surface of the walls and covered.  There are special covers (and boxes for the outlets, etc.) made for this or you could make up something fancier with wood molding perhaps.

As for plumbing, I should think that most of the plumbing would be on the interior, but hidden away.  You would have an entrance for water, sewer, etc. that would go through the wall at some point.  Plumbing to the kitchen is generally hidden under cabinets.  Plumbing to the bathroom could also go through interior walls until you reach your main line.   

Additionally, I have seen rehabbed houses where new plumbing that shows on the interior  is either painted to blend in, decorated, curtained off or boxed in.  You can also do something clever like put shelves in front of it, etc.

Houses are generally designed to cluster the plumbing in one area for the sake of expenses.  Kitchen and bathroom are placed side by side or back to back.  Good design also allows for trap doors to access the crucial pipe joints.  Closets make a good point of entry - think linen closet with removable shelves, perhaps.  Another idea might be to run the piping beneath an elevated floor that could be covered with wooden trap doors.  Sort of a ditch effect could be used if you wanted to use an earthen floor also (and running the wooden covers to be level with the floor).



Question: Would such a channel disturb the structural integrity of the wall?
Has anyone tried my idea already?