• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ransom
  • John F Dean
  • paul wheaton
  • Jay Angler
stewards:
  • Timothy Norton
  • Pearl Sutton
  • Tereza Okava
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • M Ljin
gardeners:
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Matt McSpadden
  • thomas rubino

What is the best plaster for earthbags and rammed earth walls in northern Idaho?

 
Posts: 46
Location: U.S.A.
2
2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I've been experimenting with alternative building for 3 years now. I'm ready to start and earthbag foundation/wall for the next building. We are in the Panhandle of Idaho (about 23 inches of rain/year) and a different zone and precipitation than Arizona. I can see where cob would work well in Arizona but I don't think cob will work to cover my rammed earth tire wall or the earthbags. I'm cognizant that you don't want to mix/match too many mediums without a layer for condensation between them so there won't be a weak point, but what is the best thing to use in the plaster for 16 inches up from the ground for these kinds of structures? Earth mixed with cement? Proportion of clay? Papercrete? I'm needing a bit of forward movement on this. Can I use the same plaster for both projects?
Rammed_Earth_Tier1_Complete_7-20-16.JPG
[Thumbnail for Rammed_Earth_Tier1_Complete_7-20-16.JPG]
Rammed Earth Wall finished and pre-plaster
RammedEarthWallTierIV_First-fill_8-27-16.JPG
[Thumbnail for RammedEarthWallTierIV_First-fill_8-27-16.JPG]
4th Tier Rammed Earth Wall 2016
 
Posts: 115
Location: Tyler Texas
12
forest garden tiny house solar greening the desert homestead
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Acrylic stucco work very nicely for these structures that tend to flex and move just a little as they settle.
 
Denice Moffat
Posts: 46
Location: U.S.A.
2
2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thanks but that is not natural. Prefer to use natural product.
 
pollinator
Posts: 496
60
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Your region is lovely, I once had friends there and joined them for alpine skiing, with some superior snow.  If I was walking in your shoes,  I would use a lime based plaster for flexibility
One question:  how long will the foundation be exposed to the elements after plastering?
 
Denice Moffat
Posts: 46
Location: U.S.A.
2
2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thanks for the tip. I actually think I'm going to follow your advice. I plan on building storage sections with the tire wall being the back wall of the front exposed sections (my drain field is just behind the wall). Hoping to get that done in 2027. Still have to pour a bond beam prior to finishing it.
gift
 
Justin Rhodes 45 minute video tour of wheaton labs basecamp
will be released to subscribers in: soon!
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic