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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-AU link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>John<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I would test the height of the wall with a moisture meter to see where the moisture is the highest on the wall –top or bottom? It seems that the mould is in the middle?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>One of the photos does show a window(?)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Also there seems to be a corrugated ceiling. (Moisture build up on the ceiling and running into the wall?)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>What sort of render? Type of sand – does it contain salt and is the render absorbing the moisture from the room because of salt content (in Adelaide this happens –we call it salt damp)?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>When did the mould first appear?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Is there a toe up – can’t tell from the photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Definitely needs an inspection.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hope this helps.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Bohdan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> GSBN-bounces@sustainablesources.com [mailto:GSBN-bounces@sustainablesources.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>John Glassford<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, 20 March 2012 9:09 PM<br><b>To:</b> Global Straw Building Network<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [GSBN] Strawbale wall mold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>G ' day<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>This chap called me out of the blue and has a problem with mould in his walls.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>It is only in the interior walls and not on the exterior bale walls.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>If anyone can offer him a solution that would be much appreciated.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>We did not build this house so I have no idea of scope, size and method used apart from it is an in-fill.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Climate should not be a major problem however it is sub-tropical but we have built several buildings in the same area with no problems and they have been up for a while now, some over 12 years old.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Kind regards<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>Susan and John Glassford<br>Huff 'n' Puff Constructions<br><a href="http://www.glassford.com.au/" target="_blank">http://www.glassford.com.au</a><br>61 2 6927 6027<br>In Australia (02) 6927 6027<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Mountains of the Moon Climb 2011<br><a href="http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org/" target="_blank">http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b>Ola Anderson</b> <<a href="mailto:ola5@bigpond.com">ola5@bigpond.com</a>><br>Date: 20 March 2012 20:02<br>Subject: Strawbale wall mold<br>To: <a href="mailto:jacksflat@gmail.com">jacksflat@gmail.com</a><br>Cc: <a href="mailto:ola5@bigpond.com">ola5@bigpond.com</a><br><br><br><br><br>Location: Sunshine coast Queensland Australia<br><br>Situation; the cut side of the bales began to appear as water marks through<br>the interior render. Mould odour followed promptly. All the interior walls<br>are now showing this symptom. None of the exterior walls show any of these<br>symptoms.<br><br>Interior climate; of house is good. However during the wet season relative<br>humidity inside is approx 55%. Out side 60% at 12 noon<br>The house is well ventilated with plenty of louvered windows.<br><br>History; House is one and a half years old.<br> Built on a concrete slab<br> Post and beam construction<br> Bale walls are in fills, sitting on a water proof membrane,<br>and a bed of gravel. The bale walls are strapped.<br> Bales used were high quality Oat.<br> Roof over hangs are 1.5 meters so no direct rain ever hits<br>the walls<br> Walls have three coats of lime render on both sides plus two<br>coats of lime wash.<br><br>I'm concerned about my family's health. Today I knocked a hole into one of<br>the interior walls. I pulled some of the oat straw out and I can't tell<br>really if it is damp or just cool. Visual inspection showed black tips to<br>about 5 mm on the cut end of the straw nearest to the render. I'm not sure<br>if that is from wetting the bales and the render during construction. But I<br>don't think so. The straw further into the bale looked normal.<br><br>I fear this may be a major problem. I have a feeling the moisture level in<br>the bales is in the hazard zone.<br><br><br><br>These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.<br>Try it out here: <a href="http://picasa.google.com/" target="_blank">http://picasa.google.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>