Prince, that he is.. -yeah I'm gonna. But all in good humor, and intent. With a few questions to show details. Let us begin with my cheap pot-shots.
Kevin you're a good lookin' guy, and come off on camera as honest and sincere. But, as I asked Max? "Who dresses this guy?!" (yeah, shallow stuff..) But Lime green, is NOT your color, and that paisley print shirt caused the auto-focus on the camera to go crazy! Enuf of my cheap shots.. But, do listen to your production crew, or your wife... Please quit dressing yourself.
On the episode on mudding. I was pleased to see that you took several specific steps. And, curious and questioning others?
First being, the use of wire mesh over all, over all of the bales? Was that a code requirement? I acknowledge that you're in the heartland of earthquake theritory, and shear resistance is a common concern. But, from all the old fart (like me) sages I know? They all advise against the inclusion of a solid mass of mesh between the mud and the bales, for the very same reason. The antithesis of exclusion of mesh, is as solid as inclusion. -With a ridiged framework like that between the bales and the mud. -That has no ablility, to flex in any given direction, or more than one, at one time. -Only ensures that the mud skin of the home will not move in relationship to the bales underneath. I didn't see, that you included "Hardyframes" at the intersecting corners? Also, a California code issue. But, maybe not so, with your solid steel framework.
Back to the mesh. I found it highly interesting, that a liquid lime solution was sprayed onto the bales, thru the mesh. I can only assume, that was to act as a bonding agent to ensure the chemical heating agent to adhear the mud to the bales, thru the mesh? -First time I've seen that. I wished, that I'd hear about the use of spraying boric acid as fire retardant, or using diametatious earth as a natural insect abatement issue?
I want to go on record.. Kevin, in his choice of finish coats both interior and exterior.. Is dead right on! I only wished, he'd gone into further detail about how each layer and coat is conprised and applied. I.E. : With each coat: the ratio of sand, clay, straw and/or lime changes. With each layer, all of the ingrediants, become much more refined..
I'm not totally "anti" mesh. For every transition point from bales to wood, or other materials, blood lath (diamond mesh) is an absolute.-But, that leads me to my next question.
On the electrical/plumbing episode. Your expert posed condensation issues -Was similar consideration given between the steel posts and the bales? Without, a simple condensation barrier. The "Wicking action" of steel within the bales could produce unwelcomed end results. An asphalt solution (un-green as it is), is the best alternative. -Unless someone else has a better atternative..
On the water issue episode. There was so much more that could be said, and options. Sorry, if I'm trying to turn BGTV into HGTV or DIYTV.. -Those are networks, and BGTV is so far, on it's own. If I've got one wish left, that'll change too.
I've dragged anyone left alive, reading too long. But, could post another chapter, on the water issues alone. -Just as a teaser, to got one step better? Ask me (Google) about an Alascan System.' Ask me about, a composting pit, solar green house? Ask about, solar fueling for a hydronic heating system.
All that it all takes, is time and money. The more money you have the quicker it'll happen. The less you have. Longer but, will cost you less money with way more time and labor. Ain't that just the way the world works?
Hope ya'all reached the end..
Regards, and all that..
Spuds,
aka: Mark
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Kevin's Attire, and Other Wet Issues.
Sorry I've been under the radar and MIA for a few weeks. Took a bizness/vacation down to Austin. Talk about a Mecca for SB and green building! More on that another time. I'll suggest you send a research crew (you & Max) down there. There's enough going on there to fill several seasons with episodes. I was lucky enough that my host arrainged tours of many of them.
Seeing all the options, and hearing all the stories.. it's back to the drawing board for me with my plans! I'm guessing I'll deduce the foot print of my home by a good 30%. Utilizing form following function, and multipurpose use. Over lapping dedication of space to function; as needed, when needed. Makes little sense to spend all the time, labor and money for a space that sits unused, for a great deal of time. I.E. The dining room, or guest bed room. -Which also has to be heated and cooled over time.. Water catchment, grey water systems and composting toilets are all huge parts of the home systems I visited. Has given me insight and a new appreciation for each of those systems.
Yeah, Kevin.. You're right we don't wanna see ya in a kilt! And, taking fashion advice from a hillbilly old-fart makes about as much sense.. If you won't listen to your wife, at least ask Max "how does this look on me?" (do these jeans make my butt look fat?? -LOL!)
It's been years ago since I last Googled it. But there was a guy (and family) up in Oregon or Washington state, that as an experiment. They built a composting pit/solar green house to supply domestic hot water for the house. Even with their limited daylight, it was quite sucessful. They'd dug a 3' deep rectangular pit, and at the bottom of it a loop of hosing that connected to the household hot water tank. At it's most efficient, the resulting three feet of bio-mass of compost produced something like 180 degree temperatures. The walking floor surface of the greenhouse was nothing more than pallets, hinged towards either of the long sides. With the stem walls being constructed of straw bales, and an arched PVC framework as the roof structure to support high grade UV clear plastic. The only stick frame construction necessary was for the door and exhaust fan on the far end.. Ingeniously simple in design.
Being the "Rube Goldberg" type that I am. I couldn't leave well enough alone in my mind. Soon, the what if's started flying thru my head. How about buring an insulated storage tank, and making the heat collection loop under the compost a closed loop system? In the storage tank, two sets of coiled loops could be placed. One to serve for domestic hot water (with back up, on demand units). And the second loop, to provide heated water for a hydronic floor heating system?? Needed pumps could easily be DC powered by a small solar/battery system. On the return loop (from the storage tank to the compost bed) I'd even thought of incorporating a small solar hot water panel, to ensure an even and constant temperature for the bed to ensure the aerobic bacteria stay active. Also a pair of perforated tubes with a riser stack would provide positive oxygenation, preventing the pile from going anaerobic (and stinking). It would basically be a living organic heat supply system. The major downside is that like anything living, it has to be fed! For much of the year, that would easily be come by with lawn and garden clippings along with waste products from the kitchen and the greenhouse itself. For those few exception months, addition of dry stored hay (or similar) would suffice. The other task involved would be that of removing the rich composed material for use in flower and garden bedding, trees and shrubs. Heck, you could even become a worm farmer for the local fishermen?
I think I've blathered on long enough.. Would like to hear anyone's comments or observations.
Regards,
Spuds
If you see me getting smaller? It's because I'm leaving..
Spuds, Correct me if I'm
Spuds,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sure doesn't seem like I should be taking fashion advice from an old fart chef, from the Ozark mountains. If you were a hot, big city babe, well, I might have to listen. Listen to the production crew? I am the production crew. And the wife would have me in a kilt. You don't want to see that.
That said your points are well made regarding the home building issues.
Wire mesh is not necessary and veteran bale builders will say it can even be detrimental because the wire may rust long before the plaster deteriorates. I would have done without it but my contractor and foreman just couldn't get their heads around going wireless. You would think I had asked them to build the house naked. Their minds told them there had to be more sheer strength in those walls. I had to pick my battles. Nuff said? Oh, hardy frames were unnecessary with our post and beam steel.
Regarding lime spray, I was neither worried about fire or insects, since three inches of plaster is a pretty damn good barrier against both.
Regarding steel condensation, we painted the steel with Henry’s asphalt paint and then stuck about two inches of mud onto every steel surface to keep the steel and straw from coming into contact.
Regarding water, there is only so much we can say in a half hour. If you have specific, interesting subject matter, let me know about it. I’m always excited to learn more and happy to include it wherever possible in the next season.
Happy to have you around. Keep up the good work,
Kevin
LOL
As usual you've got me in stitches Spuds. I suppose it would be easier for Kevin to fix the shirt than re-do the plaster, so good news there.
- maxmsf
Great post, Mark
And yes, please do write posts about each of those water issues you mentioned! I dutifully googled Alascan Systems and found it fascinating--a really significant off-the-grid solution for waste water treatment. Would love to hear more.