SB: Moisture Barrier

["Ted Shelton" <ted655@hotmail.com>]

       on Mon, 25 Jun 2001
an OzWoman in Ohio wrote:

[snip]
>1.  If two pieces were used, what (if anything) could lay
>     in between the pieces of wood?  We were thinking blueboard,
[snip]
>2.  Moisture barriers have been used between the cement and the
>     wood in the sb houses that have been built around here.  I
>     don't like the idea of using a plastic/tar moisture barrier
>     below the bales, because I feel like it would trap more
>     moisture than prevent moisture intrusion from below
[snip]
>3.  Last question - Locust is considered to be extremely resistant
>     to rot - could this mean that it resist the wicking of water
==========================================================================
As a cement finisher/pad contractor, I have some questions with plastic or 
tar barriers. My experience is with wood frame/cement block, so I lurk and 
learn here. But I think waterproof barriers are a bad idea. If your pad is 
well above grade, with adequate drainage, the treated timber/gravel base is 
the best way to go. Why stop gravity from doing what it does best? Who wants 
to make a waterproof pool at the bottom of there bales. Put your efforts 
into keeping water away from the slab, then it won't wick moisture. Having 
said that, this is sometimes what they MAKE you do.  
http://www.earthbuilding.com/nm-straw-bale-code.html

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