[GSBN] moldering straw question

[Misha Rauchwerger]

I have seen (and repaired) a straw bale wall in a house where the owner
plastered over bales that had gotten wet from a roof leak.  It was shocking
how far the mold had moved from the original moisture point.

I also got to participate in a repair on a straw bale wall at the Philo
Retreat Center.  Wing walls that were exposed to the weather wicked
moisture into the main structure which moved up and condensed on the
concrete bond beam.  Once again, moisture was pumped throughout the
building.

Misha

On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 3:26 PM Graeme North <graeme at ecodesign.co.nz> wrote:

> Jim, I totally agree with Rene.
> I doubt that you would knowingly install such bales, so how can you accept
> them now?
>
> Graeme North
> Earth and natural building consultant,
> 49 Matthew Rd
> RD1
> Warkworth
>
>
>
> > On 29/08/2019, at 00:14, Rene Dalmeijer <rdalmeij at mac.com> wrote:
> >
> > Jim,
> >
> > I have a general rule always replace partially molded bales even if they
> have dried out afterwards. The fact that they have mold growth/spores  on
> the bales compromises the structure for future wetting events.
> >
> > Redoing the baling and exterior plaster now seems like a big possible
> unnecessary step, ie the walls are still standing. But please take into
> consideration what the costs are to redo the walls once the house is
> finished and maybe already occupied. Besides this there is also the
> psychological effect of knowing that the building is compromised. I
> strongly suggest you to replace the bales.
> >
> >
> >
> > Basking in a very hot reclaimed swamp at the mouth of the Rhine
> > Rene Dalmeijer
> >
> >
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