[cob] cracks in floor

[dorethy at juno.com]

Reply to Kathy:  Yes, I tested all the layers of earthen floor before putting them in; but the tests were only about 2' X 3', so it wasn't really large enough to crack. 

Also (in reply to Amanda Peck, who placed hay over the mix to prevent fast drying)--actually, to the contrary, I had several fans going 24 hours a day to dry it more quickly, as I am under lots of trees and it's always very humid here.

I called Athena Steen (author of books & articles on natural floors, etc.) and she recommended opening the cracks and filling with silica sand.  Just mention that in case anyone else needs another solution to this problem.  I have done it and I hope it works.  Rain today, so may have to wait longer; but if anyone needs to know, remind me in a few weeks to see if it worked. :)  (Incidentally, I'm oxydizing my raw linseed oil in the sun, as the Steens suggested in their article in Natural Home magazine, May/June, 2003, and plan to thin it with turpentine--would love to use the citrus thinner but it is too expensive.)

Dorethy

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