Friday, November 13, 2009

[papercreters] using sawdust as floor mix

Charmaine,

I'd never tried sawdust and would like to do it,
could you repeat the proportions you use in your favorite mix?
If you want to use it as an interior floor, do you change anything?
Thanks
José

__________________


Glad to. I use a basic mix of 12 sawdust 2-3 of lime, 4 of clay. no
other fiber. but this is NOT a floor mix. you need sand for that.
earth floor proponents use sand and clay, no lime, or some, or add
asphalt emulsion to make the mix more sticky and non cracking, water
resistant. I have done this on a small scales and it works. cow
manure to clay also makes a great floor.

I could use dog hair or human hair, and as discussed --horse hair, or
cow, is best as strongest. the mane and tail are considered too
springy, but body hair is good, as is GOAT hair, combing a goat or
dog creates good fiber to use. I have tried everything from pampas
grass tops- chopped ( good fiber) to bear poo- (bad- no fiber just
berry seeds)- to make ingredients.


I would add more clay and definately add sand to a floor mix. clay
and lime with harden up and the sand is needed for the crushing
strength of feet and deaqd weight, Id say 3 parts sand ..but PLEASE
test many blocks by variety of strength-- maybe 6 sawdust, 3 clay, 4
sand,1 lime.


to stabilize clay- in general-- you only need a small %- from 2-4%
of lime by volume to clay with keep it from becoming muddy and
cracking. the various CDs I have have hundreds of articles on these
topics.

usially sand to clay is 3-1 historically for everything. I made
mostly plasters, and pourd blockd that do not need the standing
strength of a floor.

please read the various other recipes on www.papercrete.com
--
Ms. Charmaine Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
Toll Free Order: 1-888-441-1632
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com
www. papercrete.com


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