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HI David -<div><br></div><div>I've seen many instances of mould (good English spelling that is) in timber framed houses, concrete houses, brick houses, and is some earth brick houses that have dried out a bit slowly when they are being built.</div><div> </div><div>Singling out strawbale houses is irrational.</div><div><br></div><div>I have seen strawbales that have gone rotten and/or mouldy in poorly designed or constructed leaky s/b houses, but generally the good insulation value of strawbale walls prevents exterior wall getting cold enough for condensation to occur on the interior surfaces of strawbale walls and without moisture condensing , mould will not start to grow.</div><div><br></div><div>As I write it occurs to me that the differentiation needs to be made between straw in the bales getting wet and rotting - a design and construction issue, and mould forming on interiors which is an insulation and ventilation issue.</div><div><br></div><div>What is the real concern the insurance co. is expressing?</div><div><br></div><div>cheers </div><div> <br><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><div>Graeme</div><div>Graeme North Architects</div><div>49 Matthew Road</div><div>RD1</div><div>Warkworth</div><div>tel/fax +64 (0)9 4259305</div><div> </div><div><a href="mailto:graeme@ecodesign.co.nz">graeme@ecodesign.co.nz</a></div><div>www.ecodesign.co.nz</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span> </div><br><div><div>On 3/10/2009, at 11:53 AM, <a href="mailto:strawnet@aol.com">strawnet@aol.com</a> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><span><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hi all,<br> <br> This came to us at DCAT and I wanted to share it here to see if anyone has information that might help resolve this issue. Obviously the insurance underwriter has the opinion that sb houses are prone to mold, so one question is, based on what evidence or documentation or studies? Of course they are in the driver's seat on this - they can make unsubstantiated claims and the burden is then on us to disprove them if we can. It would be good to hear from John Straube on this, as well as anyone else with information that could help. <br> <br> I have told her about the GSBN archives but will try to pass along your responses to her as well. And I have also copied my reply to her, asking if it was OK with her that I post this here, to Joyce at The Last Straw. Thanks for sharing what you all know...<br> David<br> <br> ------------------<br> </font>Question: Have you or do you know of anyone who has researched mold in strawbale houses. I have just been denied insurance because the underwriter states that sb houses are prone to mold. All my research over the past 10 years and during the building process is quite the oppisite, but i need facts to persuade the ignorant. Also my motgage co would love to cancel my loan if the insurance does not come thru. We have been with this company for 4 years and 3 of it during the building process. Are you able to help?</span><br> <span>Thank you Wendy<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br> ------------------</font></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">_______________________________________________</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">GSBN mailing list</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><a href="mailto:GSBN@greenbuilder.com">GSBN@greenbuilder.com</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><a href="http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN">http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN</a></div> </blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>