Amy Lee

Alden Banniettis wrote:Did you ask the one who said the region does not flood why you have to build up the site some three feet?

Because you can't build houses on that land without piling up the ground first. As you can see from the picture, the soil is black. It's more suitable for agricultural purposes like gardening/planting. Hence, to build a house, one must pile the ground first with red soil, at least 2 feet minimum (standard is 3 feet).

Thing is, i've never done a cob house before so i don't know if i should/suppose to dig the trench or can i straightaway build the foundation on the surface?

There are 17 other lots next to my land. If i don't pile the ground by at least 2 feet minimum, my house would be lower than my neighbours'. In case it rains heavily, extra water from my next neighbour would run to my place since my land is lower than theirs.

Hey everyone.

This is the picture of the land that i'm buying (i'm buying 2 lots only). I was told this land is flood-free. The soil is black/dark brown and you can see the forest in the surrounding area. I was also told that to build my house here, i would first need to pile up the ground (with red clay soil at least 2-3 feet high).

Thing is, i've watched tons of Youtube videos and some of them dig up trenches 2-3 feet deep and fill them up with gravel, before adding layers of soil and finish them up with boulders/big rocks on the surface. While some others build their house foundation straightaway on the surface.

So my question is, if i were to pile up the ground before i can build my house, and i'm suppose to dig trenches as well, won't it be redundant? I mean, first, i ask them (the people i'll be hiring) to pile the ground with hard clay. Then after they're done, i ask them to dig the trenches around it? They might think, why would i ask them to pile up the ground if after completion, i ask them to dig it back? That's like doing the same job twice.

Hence, i'm kinda confused here. Do i pile up the ground, or do i not? Do i need to dig trenches, or straightaway build my foundation on the ground?

Please advice!

John C Daley wrote:I help build these homes in Australia.
I have always recommended creating the roof first, as stated it gives you shade, rain proofs the site and
the cob dries at about the same rate because a breeze is the best way to dry them.
Scorching sun can cause faster drying that creates cracks etc.

It is also a source of water if that is hard to get near the build site.

Thanks for confirming my original thought. I haven't gotten to the stage of how to erect the roof yet, i'm still learning how to properly build the walls (plus plastering and painting/finishing). I have a lot to learn, especially how to install solar panels on the roof. But i'll get to it. Thanks for the advice, appreciate it!

Bill Haynes wrote:Well....
If you build broad eaves you can work in the shade!
But your cob may be slightly slower to dry.

But... as long as it dries, your work is protected from unpredictable weather....even if you have setbacks that don't allow the timeframe you expect.....

That's what i thought too. 30-40 years ago, working under the sun was not really a problem because where i come from, the weather was mild. The sun wasn't as hot as it was compared to other states. But now, somehow the weather has changed. Thanks for the advice!

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:Hi Amy. Permies is a great forum; glad you found it!

Thanks inge! I try to read as much as i can!

Hey everyone.

I intend to build my cob house next year. Since i live in Malaysia and Malaysia is a tropical country, we normally have hot weather all year round,  except for November-December, where it's mostly rainy everyday. Other times, rain is quite unpredictable. So my question is, should i build the roof first (to protect the clay from the rain), or do i start from bottom to top?

Thanks in advance!

Rebecca Norman wrote:Cool! If you're going to build in the highlands, where the temperature has a nice average over the year and it doesn't get too too hot, cob or any other thick earthen structure might keep a nice cool temperature all year. But if you're down near the coast, then I don't know, once the walls get hot it might be hard to cool down during the hot months. Also of course you'll have to have a really good roof and overhang to protect mud walls from heavy rain and splashing.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the tips!

Rebecca Norman wrote:Hi Amy, my curiosity is piqued! What country are you in?

Hi Rebecca, i'm from Malaysia!

Leigh Tate wrote:Welcome, Amy! So glad you found Permies. Thomas is exactly right; you've come to the right place to learn about building a cob house. And more!

Hi Leigh, thank you! I can't wait to build one next year, i need to get out of the city as soon as i can! Do kindly teach me, i'm all ears! Thanks in advance!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Amy;     Big Welcome to Permies!

I have added your post to the cob forum.

Your at the right place to learn all about cob building!
I have never used cob for a structure myself. Only while building rocket mass heaters!
I suspect that in your location ... you won't need a rocket heater!  
But if you do ,drop on by the rocket mass heater forum. We will chat your ear off.
You've already met the forum leader !

Hi Thomas, thanks for welcoming me! As of now, i won't be needing a rocket mass heater, but you'll never know if the weather decides to go insane and sends us snow out of nowhere! Thanks again for your kind welcome!