I'm thinking we may want to come up with 4 different plans, one for the
bottom of each wall on the chicken house. That will give us a long term
test for here in the wet Northwest. As the chicken house is a small
structure, it isn't going to cost a lot to build AND it's not going to tweak
anyone's nose if we use it as a test bed. What I don't want to do is leave
one wall untreated. That's not an option. And I won't leave a wall without
some sort of waterproof step to keep the absorbable papercrete up off the
floor. Chickens poop and rain falls. The papercrete in contact with the
floor either has to be treated or has to be separated from the floor by an
imprevious layer.
So what are our best ideas for treating the lowest layer? I'll make a 2"
stemwall on one side, painting the top with something to create an
impervious layer, then putting plain papercrete on the top of that wall.
What are the preferences for the mix for the first layers of the other
walls?
ElfN
----- Original Message -----
From: "slurryguy" <slurryguy@yahoo.com>
> The idea of using a more moisture resistant mix as a first course has
> been discussed several times on the list. I don't recall latex
> specifically being proposed, but I can see exactly what you are
> thinking. I do not know that anyone has actually done it yet.
>
> My first thought is that 2"-4" may be overkill. 1" seems plenty to
> me. What do I base this opinion on? uhhhhhhh.... Which way is the
> wind blowing today? hehehe.
>
> My second thought is that guessing like that makes me really
> uncomfortable. I suggest mixing a couple small batches and making a
> few test samples using the exact mix you plan on using. Pour some of
> your latex rich mix into a tiny makeshift test form. Make a couple
> samples at different thicknesses. Then pour some regular papercrete
> over the top. It also would be a good idea to make one sample that
> doesn't use a latex enriched bottom layer at all. It would give you
> a baseline for comparison.
>
> Guessing is how we come up with ideas, but testing them is how we
> find out if the ideas are any good. Once the samples are fully cured
> and dried, you could set the bottom layer of each one into a shallow
> (1/4"??) puddle. Let them sit there for a few days. Saw them in
> half and measure how far up water has wicked into each sample.
>
> I also recommend using a mix that has extra cement for that first
> inch or two.
>
> I'll be very interested in what you learn. I like the concept.
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