Re: [papercreters] Earth Tubes

Here they sell a 4" pvc pipe that has many slots in it for drainage, and it is not corrugated. It would be virtually impossible for water to pool inside even if our humidity got high enough, which it rarely does. I have kept track for years and 99% if the time the dew point is at least 40 degrees below ambient. Also, the tubes I will be installing will be at about a 20 degree slope from the bottom of the dome up to the ground about 75 feet away. So, on the rare days when the humidity is high enough to condense the moisture will immediately drain into the sand the tubes will be encased with. If any manages to not fall through the slots then it will drain.

Meanwhile, we have the hole dug (pictures at http://files.starship-enterprises.net/ugdome/) and will be pouring the foundation ring tomorrow. Plan is to attach the air form the next day, and then inflate it this weekend to start concreting it.

Spaceman

Nick Boersema wrote:

Spaceman I think the guy who is slicing the tube has the right idea.  I have done a bit of work with the corrugated plastic drainage tube with the slits.  They are designed to take moisture in not to let it out.  Therefore you will get small puddles of condensate at the bottom of every ridge perfect little breeding grounds.  You cannot guaranty that there will be a slit at the bottom at all times and it will need to be at the very bottom.  If the air flowing through the tube is dry enough to not condense than the air entering your home will be so dry you will need to add humidifiers to your home.  Molds are like bacteria there are thousands of them some are good many are not and they are incredibly resilient.  If you absolutely have your heart set on earth tubes you need to find a way to routinely clean them.  One way may be to build your self a powerful Ozone generator.  Running ozone through the tubes once a day or once a week would likely keep things under control but the problem with molds are that it is the spoors dead or alive that cause the health effects so it is important not to let them grow to begin with.  Ozone generators can be built cheaply with Neon light ballasts and glass plates.  Google any of the sites that grow the “wonder herb J “ there will be instructions.

 

Nick

 

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From: papercreters@yahoogroups.com [mailto:papercreters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Spaceman
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 1:38 PM
To: papercreters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [papercreters] Earth Tubes

 

You are right, and I would not recommend earthtubes for all places. Luckily I live in an area with low humidity, an annual average temperature that is comfortable, and great drainage. Not to mention low annual rainfall. With over 1,200 square feet of surface area in contact with the soil the inside temperature should be stable at 68 degrees even without the earth tubes, but I want to wring out every calorie I can. Tubing with precut slots is not very expensive and will drain well. There won't be any period of time that the tubes will be sealed, so no chance of moisture buildup and starting mold.

Spaceman

Eric Randall wrote:

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