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how do i make an earhtern floor

 
Posts: 288
Location: Deepwater northern New South wales Australia
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Ive just cleaned an old shed out ,the floor is very dusty ,soil type is light fine sandy loam with clay subsoil
anywhere where is is moist from leaky gutters the floor is ok
what steps should i take??
 
steward
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Location: woodland, washington
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I've seen a lot of sources suggest a combination of crushed rock and clay as the bottom layer. can't remember what the stuff's called just now, but I believe it's used as a base layer for building roads.

whether or not that's really necessary probably depends on the particulars of your dirt and how you plan to use the floor.

which is to say: I'm not much help, but I'm curious how it goes for you.
 
pollinator
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Location: Point Arena, Ca
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Earthen floors typically have at least 3 layers: the drain layer, the base layer and the finish layer.

The drain layer is 2-4 (or more) inches of crushed, 3/4-1 1/2 inch drain rock. This layer acts as a moisture break, to stop rising damp.

The base layer is made of what is known as "road base", which is (typically) 3/4 inch minus, crushed rock, with sand, fines and a little clay. This layer should be between 1 1/2 and 2 inches thick. the material is put down a little wet (not soaking but damp) and rammed hard with a tamper or some such. It should be leveled, as you go and made as close to level and flat as you can make it with a reasonable amount of work.

The finish layer is made with mostly sand with a little bit of clay slip and a little bit of fiber like chopped straw or horse manure. There should only be just enough slip to make the mix damp and stick lightly together. This layer is about 1 inch thick. Use leveled screed boards when adding and packing the material in. The material should be compressed into place with a hard trowel, like a pool float. Press HARD and work till flat, level and smooth. Sometimes, this layer can be done in two thinner layers, the first can fill up uneven spaces below and the second can be added much easier for a smooth finish.

Each layer should be completely dry and free of loose stuff before doing the next.
After the finish layer is COMPLETELY dry, you can oil it with a number of different kinds of drying oil, I like linseed. Add the oil in successive layers, let it soak in and dry then add the next. When the floor won't soak up anymore oil, it's done. Mop off any excess oil, let it dry completely then wax and buff.
 
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