Tips & Tricks - Humidity and Clay
| More than once we have received inquiries from people living in humid climates concerned with the effects of h
 igh humidity on American Clay. Our answer: Don’t worry about it!
The ingredients in American Clay–potters clay, marble dust, and natural and mineral colorants–are not good hosts for mold and mildew. We have had a number of successful applications of our clay plasters in Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii and the Bahamas with no reports of problems. Ambient moisture is not a problem for clay plaster; some clay can absorb three times its weight in water. Once American Clay plaster is applied and properly compressed, but not sealed, it “breathes” very well taking in and giving off moisture. Clay plaster is great even in steamy bathrooms, where the walls absorb the moisture and do not sweat; walls dry out when the room airs out. Mirrors even have less ’steam’ when surrounded by clay plaster walls. Clay brings a significant aspect that to the table, the ability to absorbs water through two avenues: capillary action, and ionic attraction. This is why clay has been considered a hygroscopic material, or stated simply, it readily absorbs moisture. Many materials do this, however clay can absorb moisture faster then most other materials. This, subsequently,contributes to clay protecting other vulnerable materials from mold, fungal and pest attacks. Also, it creates an increase in comfort within the interior environment, by helping maintain humidity levels around 50%-60%; ideal for human mucus membranes, and the control of dust mites and other organisms that effect human health. In addition, this ability to absorb and release moisture helps to diminish the possibility of mold growth. Mold and mildew are health hazards which have received a great deal of in the past 10 years. These health hazards should not be taken lightly, and using materials that help control the moisture in the building structure, like American Clay Earth Plaster, will help tremendously. We believe the products that American Clay produces, and the ones we are developing, should have the long-range potential to improve the health of both people and planet. NOTE: American Clay should NOT be used where it will get repeated splashing, as that will soften and erode the plaster, such as in a shower, steam room or as the backsplash to a sink. For those areas around sinks or stoves, tile should be used. Next month we will discuss the ability of clay to store and release energy or its PCM (phase change material) properties. |
Cunningham will be available to dealers, distributors and wholesalers to assist in the growth of their American Clay sales. In addition, she will assist other team members with presentations to architects, interior designers, developers, builders, remodelers, contractors, design build firms and owners to discuss the features and benefits of the various products and to help determine which finish system best fits a project(s).
for Research & Development and for workshops, which are consistently held throughout the year. Staff was on hand - including the newest member, Peggy Cunningham - to answer questions and help with demonstrations and tours. The corporate offices themselves display a variety of American Clay plaster applications, including a thickly layered, finger-designed wall, multiple stencil examples, and samples of most all the standard colors in the conference room.
it fall into disuse, he’s pulling out all the stops to renovate it into “a model for recycling, reuse and green renovation,” reads the 