Guest guest Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 I have been wondering how to finish cement board up for a regular wall surface. The plaster that was put on my living room ceiling was not old fashioned plaster, but some new kind of coating. I kept the partial large tub, and when opening it later (much later) it HAD molded. Clay plaster makes so much more sense, along with keeping the walls above the water line if possible, and using a baseboard of some sort. Just as a question, do you know if moss is a bad thing, like mold is? > I didn't see your original request for why you want a drywall alternative, > but if I may suggest you try cement board, usually used as tile backer, its > good for around tubs/showers or any wet location. I would use it and put plaster > over it for a nice texture. Or, consider one of the plasters made from clay, > which impart a very stabile environment by either absorbing excess humidity, > or emitting moisture when air is too dry. they do not support mold growth. > > Good Luck. > > > Armour > Armour Applied Science, LLC > Green Building Healthy Building > Cleveland, OH > 440-546-7068 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2005 Report Share Posted June 23, 2005 If your plaster 'molded', it wasn't plaster. Or, there was something else in/on it. The clay plaster is a very green material. And safe, apply it yourself will be ok. Moss is not a bad thing, except obviously your house is not a rolling stone! ha ha. Or maybe you live on the north side of a tree. It is a sign of a cool shady damp location. It's a plant not a fungi. Grows on organics, like dirt, or tree bark, not drywall or 2x4 framing. But, it could be indicative of mold risk. depends on the substrate. If it's really moss, sure it's not algae? also not a fungi, but a plant - has chlorophyll. Remember, it's all about water control, shedding, and direction of the flow. Choose the materials, install them correctly, and always think about the direction of water and vapor. Armour Armour Applied Science, LLC Green Building Healthy Building Cleveland, OH 440-546-7068 In a message dated 6/23/2005 8:12:21 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes: I kept the partial large tub, and when opening it later (much later) it HAD molded. Clay plaster makes so much more sense, along with keeping the walls above the water line if possible, and using a baseboard of some sort. Just as a question, do you know if moss is a bad thing, like mold is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Yeah, bet your life it wasn't real plaster. The plasterer we hired uses the stuff they put over drywall- I have no idea what it is. I am happy to hear clay plaster is safe to use- I can hardly do anything anymore from the CS. Also, thanks for the info on moss. It grows in the backyard, and also I just found some on the roof in one spot where the downspout is leaking. I have yet to climb up to check it out. I am so allergic to mold. There are also many fungal diseases on the plants in my yard. I was counting them up today: the lilac's already got white spots, half the leaves are gone from the crab apple tree, the roses are looking eaten (but a leaf miner). The peonies are holding their own against the black spot they had last year. I have always hesitated to spray since it is so hard for my body- I don't know what to do about it. Maybe we will have to spray after all, and do more trimming for more air circulation. > > > If your plaster 'molded', it wasn't plaster. Or, there was something else > in/on it. > The clay plaster is a very green material. And safe, apply it yourself will > be ok. > Moss is not a bad thing, except obviously your house is not a rolling stone! > ha ha. Or maybe you live on the north side of a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Drywall 'mud' (it is limestone, calcium carbonate, but also has other ingredients you may not want to be exposed to if chemically sensitive, or if sanding, creating dry dust exposure), does not grow mold either (the drywall gypsum is hydrous calcium sulfate, it's inorganic and is not a mold food, the paper is what feeds the mold). you must have paint, dirt, or other organics on the surface to support the growth. you may have sufficient vapor in the air to saturate the surface to a water activity level to support at least a quick short term growth. when this occurs you usually will get a very visible, 'hairy' or 'fuzzy', 'dust-like' brown, yellow, or green, sometimes black growth. once the air vapor goes away, the growth stops, the mold dries and can become airborne easily when disturbed, even by air currents (ventilation/wind). the substrate is not water damaged in these instances. it is merely a growth on the surface film of water and some organic material, might be paint or dust. regarding the plant mildews, chances are they are not an allergen trigger, check the species, then compare to your allergy test info....probably not in the test group of species/genus. a simple spray of fungicde for plants usually stops the growth quickly, but check your sensitivity to the chemical, see Grimes for info on this self-test. Also look at your plants and the immediate ecology, might be too shady or too damp. Once again, Good Luck. In a message dated 6/24/2005 9:42:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes: The plasterer we hired uses the stuff they put over drywall- Armour Armour Applied Science, LLC Green Building Healthy Building Cleveland, OH 440-546-7068 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 , I got rid of my rose bush. Rose bushes attract so much disease. I was constantly treating it. Then again, I don't enjoy gardening because I tend to get bitten up in yard. Anyway, some plants are hardier to diseases and perhaps fungus also. Ask at one of your most knowledgeable garden plant retail outlets that don't just sell plants but have some landscape experts/plant experts. > > > > > > If your plaster 'molded', it wasn't plaster. Or, there was something else > > in/on it. > > The clay plaster is a very green material. And safe, apply it yourself will > > be ok. > > Moss is not a bad thing, except obviously your house is not a rolling stone! > > ha ha. Or maybe you live on the north side of a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Thank you very much for the good info on this. Also, I guess the " plaster " was contaminated with something. > > > regarding the plant mildews, chances are they are not an allergen trigger, > check the species, then compare to your allergy test info....probably not in > the test group of species/genus. a simple spray of fungicde for plants usually > stops the growth quickly, but check your sensitivity to the chemical, see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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