Hi,
I am looking for some advice for friend who has a moisture problem in their straw bale walls. It is causing mold to grow on the outside of the cladding. Yes cladding ... the builder installed sarking and fibrous cement cladding on the outside of the wall before the bales were installed. Ideally they would like someone from the Canberra region to come and have a look as the builder does not appear to have the answers.
Thanks in advance.
Moisture in Straw Bale Walls
(4 posts) (3 voices)-
Foxy
MemberPosted Thursday 18 Jan 2018 @ 5:52:26 am from IP # -
axess
MemberHi Foxy,
Your friend could go to the Earth Building Association of Australia website- http://www.ebaa.asn.au or try http://www.ausbale.org for info about moisture problems perhaps. The index of the Owner Builder magazine might also have some useful information.
There must be straw bale professionals in the area who might be interested. Maybe the builder belonged to one of the associations and they have a fault rectification path? Or the builder might be a member of the local HIA or Master Builder organisations and they could be contacted.
Are there any moisture problems inside the house?
Posted Thursday 18 Jan 2018 @ 6:41:21 am from IP # -
Foxy
MemberThanks Axess. They have had some conflicting advice from locals in our area so were hoping for some independent advice.
It appears installation was not done correctly and obviously with mould there is potential health issues but thankfully the inside walls have been mould free.
Unfortunately this is one of several issues with the builder so the rectification path is not looking rosey.
Thanks again AxessPosted Thursday 18 Jan 2018 @ 9:15:16 am from IP # -
Greg
MemberFoxy, any chance you could give a detailed description of the wall cross section from inside to outside? I am perplexed as to where the significant amount of moisture required for mold growth is coming from. If its just one area I'd be thinking leaking pipe / roof / flashing etc.
What do the bales sit on ? A timber ladder frame, something else?Posted Tuesday 23 Jan 2018 @ 11:37:44 pm from IP #