Earth Homes The Pros & Cons | EPISODE 20 Building Well & Preventing Mold

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[@vanottey1]

I built my own earth sheltered house. Top, bottom, sides, and even under the footers is covered in plastic. Therefore moisture won't migrate into the living space. It is LESS prone to earthquake damage than an above ground structure. My house moves with the soil. An above ground structure will wobble at a different rate than the soil.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

I'm glad your home has been a success! Moisture proofing from the outside is the best prevention for water damage and mold in spaces below grade.

[@DoctaHobo]

Thank you for making this video. One of the pros for an earth home for me is lowered cost for heating and air conditioning. Can you give me any stats on the likelihood of me getting mold in an earth home? Is it over 50%? From what you said, it seems like it is based on how well it is made and the possibility of earthquakes.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

An earth home is similar to a basement. We have lots of water damage and mold in basements and crawlspaces but there doesn't have to be. Condensation will need to be managed for any part of a structure below grade. Insulating from the exterior is the best way to keep the underground walls from being very cold from the temperature of the ground below grade. The ground is typically always about 50 degrees F below a certain level but it is also very high in relative humidity. This is the detail that can make heating a cooling easier. Just don't forget dehumidification and exterior insulation to prevent warm moist air from condensating on cold walls and turning into bulk water. See my Moisture Basics Course for more on the condesation topic along with other potential defects to look out for.

[@f52023]

I would like to build on ground, hidroisolate it and cover with ground from 3 sides. How many ground around house is needed to keep the house isolated from winter cold and summer heat?

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

The specifics of any design solution will depend on your climate and the specifics of the site. Ground should be designed to slope away from any structures. The rule of thumb (and code requirement in the US) is down 5% slope away. That is down 6 inches in 10 feet. Do not allow water to accumulate at foundations. Insulating foundations on the exterior is considered best practice in colder climates. See my Moisture Basics mini Course for more fundamentals and details to be aware of and to avoid. WWW.AVOIDINGMOLD.COM

[@f52023]

@@CherylCieckoArchitect Thank you very much 👍

[@imthecanary]

What about cob homes that are above ground?

[@cherylciecko7110]

There may be some climate location where cob homes function well. But there are many climates where they may not be successful. Materials alone are never a cure-all. Cob homes are definitely made of mold prone ingredients that also store water. I've had at least one consult client with one with big problems and lots of water damage. Big roofs with large overhangs along with proper site drainage are a necessity.

[@harrymills2770]

Local geology could be a factor as well. How easy is it to throw some sand, clay and lime together? But yeah. Makes sense what @Cheryl Ciecko is saying, too, about protecting the cobb from the weather. I've been looking at some of the pre-fab shells, where you put them in place and fill around and over them. Cobb construction can last as long as the bags you use. And those bags can last a long time if you protect them from the weather. Rammed-earth in salvaged tires can last a long time. It's just hard to get it approved inside of an incorporated township.

[@jensn6490]

People use a stone foundation so water doesn’t wick up from the ground, with a large overhang roof to keep the walls dry from blowing rain, it’s called boot and cap. Cob walls absorb inside moisture keeping the interior dry. Lime plaster prevents mold growth due to its pH, it acts as a fungicide.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

Lasting a long time and supporting clean air quality don't always go together unfortunately.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

That is exactly what I recommend, along with proper site drainage away from the structure of at least a 5% slope.

[@kyletownsend7905]

What about the millions of people who do have basements and they are fully finished and never have water issues or mold as you talk about. Isn't it far more intelligent to say that you need to make sure you have a good plan for water runoff and water proofing. I feel if that wasn't more than possible to build a stable waterproof basement(of course there is always the exception) that the whole basement idea would have been stopped long ago.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

There are absolutely ways to build below grade safely and with moisture managed well! I support dry basements as the best way to keep air quality in buildings safe. There can be well done and poorly done projects of every type.

[@harrymills2770]

Yes. We know how to build into the ground. But she makes some good points about mold. It can become a problem in modern construction projects, where they just didn't get the landscaping right, and they have chronic moisture and mold in a relatively young building.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

For the record, I recommend basements as the best foundation option! I have a very dry basement myself...

[@maxkronader5225]

Thanks for the initial comment about desert soil having 90+% humidity. It let me know you dont know what you're talking about and saved me from wasting time watching the rest of your video.

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

Moisture content in soil: www.environmentalbiophysics.org/what-is-the-relative-humidity-in-soil/ I was surprised too, but the research and testing is consistent. That doesn’t mean the top surface doesn’t feel dry but put a plastic vapor barrier over the ground in the desert for days, weeks or more and see what you find underneath....

[@jasonludwig2488]

Maximilian...She owned you like a pro. Classy.

[@kris-ik8zh]

Did you just make all this up?

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

Nope... Lots of research, education and experience behind what I do!

[@CherylCieckoArchitect]

That’s true! There’s lots in books or published online that I would disagree with based on education, research AND my personal experience. Anything can be built well or poorly. The devil is in the details!