Lynda Byrne

Hi j,

Thank you, I have to admit I've learned much from the permies forum over the years and this is my first posting!

The site was previously used for compost (many years ago) and then was given a concrete base (so we've been told by the bosses there) and then filled with sand to support potted saplings; this has since become overgrown. So unfortunately the only photos I can post will be of a very overgrown site! Although I'm in work now but will post them later

We will be clearing the site and assessing the concrete for thickness on Saturday so we'll know more then really. It's the rising damp I'm concerned about, this is our first cob structure on our own and we'd like to be able to add it to our portfolio.... hence we don't want it falling apart with damp in 4/5 years!

Sorry I haven't much more to tell you at the minute!

Hi there,

We are building a cob playhouse for a local charity. Originally the plan was to build it on the grass next to a lovely walk way. However things changed when a cob expert told me it is best to build cob at least 5m from a tree to avoid the building cracking in a few years. So the only place left to build (as there are allotment holders on the site, a playground, wood turning and cattle!) is on a concreted over site which is not currently in use. The location itself is better than the original and will look great but I am concerned about building on concrete.

We were thinking we could:

1. build a plinth wall directly onto the concrete and continue with the rest as planned.

or

2. Possibly use the earthy ship tyres as a plinth to raise the cob? I've seen a picture of this done on a playhouse before.

Can someone please advise me as we would like to get this on the go asap!

Thanks so much.