[GSBN] Sticking clay on top of lime?

[Rene Dalmeijer]

Derek,

I fully agree with what you say on both points. A little test is a very good idee just to see how it works. 

I would like to add though that stubborn clients can help to stretch the scope of out knowledge. If you ask any conventional builder about building with bales.. well you already know the answer.

Another thing that could help in this type of situation is a really fat clay slip sprayed or brushed on. As the pictures show there is a lot of crevices to key into but I also have the impression that the lime substrate is very unstable meaning an almost impossible task to achieve a stable finish.

Basking in the reclaimed swamp at the old mouth of the Rhine
Rene Dalmeijer

> On Jul27, 2020, at 18:31, Derek Roff <derek at unm.edu> wrote:
> 
> People drawn to natural building have hopes and dreams.  Generally, that is a good thing.  It is also frequently a problem, when our hopes and dreams lead us to try things that are risky, or known to fail.  How does a professional builder work with a client, who wants to follow a dream instead of the knowledge and experience of the natural building community?  
> 
> Perhaps some small-scale experimentation can show the clients what they may face in trying to apply clay over lime wash.  Success can only occur if this specific clay can bond well to this specific lime.  A small test may show that adhesion is a problem.  Unfortunately, a test can’t show what happens over time.  
> 
> Best wishes,
> Derek