Re: SB: SB Questions
Title: Re: SB: SB Questions
Sorry for the delay in replying to this thread...
5) For the stucco, I know masonry sand would be
best as it is clean and sharp, and I will buy it if it is necessary,
but I have access to lots of "beach" sand. I'm trying
to keep costs down... aren't we all? I assume beach sand would
mean there would some clay in it, right? It's soft and smooth
and there's no big rocks in it. What effect would this have on
the stucco mix if I used it?
Beach sand is probably not a particularly good idea if it's a
saltwater beach. Salt and cement don't mix very well - you'll
find your cement starting to crumble apart in 6 or 8 years (sometimes
more, sometimes less). It makes for great job security among the
masonry trades in seaside resort towns, but it's not something that's
recommended for structural integrity.
*Washed* beach sand is a slightly different animal. But as
you noted, masonry sand is clean *and sharp*, ie the grains are pointy
instead of rounded. My understanding (and I'm that someone more
experienced and/or more vocal than I will correct me if I'm wrong) is
that sharp sand in cement makes for a stronger structural bond than
round sand.
6) On the list I read about some guy
having some possible mold problems on his "earthen" floor or
something. His floor was made with, I don't know, gravel and
fines, and chopped straw, and .......... why the heck would
anyone want to make a house floor out of that?
There have been a couple of short answers to this one, but I
don't think that anyone has taken the time to really tell you
why.
Basically, it's the same idea as a rammed earth wall.
Compacted earth can result in a very nice finish if done well (some
I've seen look and feel like smooth leather), and is superior to a
poured concrete slab in a number of respects:
*less embodied energy - (it takes a lot of burning fuel to heat
limestone to manufacture portland cement, truck it to your site, etc -
Earth on the other hand is usually already there and doesn't need to
be heated - just compacted.
*an earthen floor is more resilient than a concrete slab.
It's easier on your feet and legs. And it feels
"warmer".
* If you make a horrible mistake, it's easier to take up and
rebuild. No jackhammers needed. Similarly, if you want to take a
break in the middle of doing it, you don't have to worry about it
setting up and having a cold joint. Just wet the edge and go
back to work an hour, day, week, month later.
* If the plumbing underneath it gets a leak (as just happened to
a neighbor of mine with a concrete slab), you don't have to concrete
saw/jackhammer up the whole thing and re-pour. Chances are that you'll
be able to remove a small portion where the problem is, then re-lay it
to match.
--
Bill Christensen
billc@greenbuilder.com
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