The Owner-Built Adobe House

First published in 1980, this book remains a useful guide that will help you build your own adobe house almost anywhere in the country, even in areas not usually considered 'adobe country'. Duane Newcomb takes you through every step of the process, from selecting a site, obtaining building permits, drawing plans, excavating, and making bricks to adding kitchen cabinets and finishing the interior. This book details every aspect of various types of adobe houses and includes information on plumbing, electricity, heating and cooling, fireplaces, flooring, and the framing of windows, doors, and roofs. With sixty-six detailed drawings and photographs accompanying the instructions, this book is the basic manual in the field and is invaluable to both the novice and expert homebuilder.

Introduction

1

(3)

Selecting a Site for Your Adobe House

4

(14)

Making Sure Your Site Has Water Potential

4

(3)

Checking for Adequate Septic Tank Percolation

7

(2)

Checking on Power and Telephone Lines

9

(1)

Examining the Feasibility of Future Access Roads

10

(1)

Checking the Clay Content of the Soil

11

(2)

Checking Local Zoning Laws

13

(1)

Checking the Title

14

(2)

Evaluating the Terrain and Site Features

16

(1)

Making Sure You Are Getting Your Money's Worth

16

(2)

Planning Your Adobe House

18

(17)

Planning the Interior

20

(10)

Drawing Up Plans

30

(4)

Obtaining Permits

34

(1)

Making Adobe Bricks

35

(14)

Uniform Building Code Requirements

36

(1)

Testing the Stabilized Bricks

37

(3)

Making Your Adobe Molds

40

(2)

Starting Production

42

(7)

Preparing and Building the Foundation

49

(11)

Excavating the Site

49

(1)

Corner Staking the House

50

(2)

Digging the Footings

52

(4)

Pouring the Concrete Slab

56

(1)

Framing the Floor

57

(3)

Putting Up Adobe Walls

60

(17)

Getting Your Equipment Together

60

(1)

Mixing Mortar

60

(1)

Laying Adobe Bricks Properly

61

(2)

Allowing for Doors and Windows

63

(2)

Bond Beams and Lintels

65

(1)

Steel Reinforcing

66

(2)

Post Adobe Construction

68

(9)

Installing the Plumbing System

77

(13)

The Drainage System

77

(7)

The Water Supply System

84

(3)

Installing Your Fixtures

87

(1)

The Septic System

88

(2)

Installing Electrical Wiring

90

(16)

Planning the Electrical System

90

(1)

Selecting Wire and Boxes

91

(2)

Wiring Circuits and Installing Boxes

93

(6)

Wiring Heavy-Duty Appliances

99

(3)

Installing the Service Panel

102

(2)

Testing and Labeling the Circuits

104

(2)

Heating and Cooling Your House

106

(11)

Forced-Air Central Heating

106

(6)

Radiant Heating

112

(2)

Solar Heating

114

(1)

Cooling and Adobe House

115

(2)

Building Your Adobe Fireplace

117

(10)

Types of Fireplaces

117

(2)

Designing Your Fireplace

119

(1)

Building Your Fireplace

120

(6)

Circulating Fireplaces

126

(1)

Framing and Covering the Roof

127

(14)

Putting the Roof Plan on Paper

128

(2)

Framing the Roof

130

(6)

Covering the Roof

136

(5)

Finishing the Exterior and Interior

141

(14)

Applying Plaster

141

(1)

Plastering the Interior

142

(1)

Installing Drywall

143

(1)

Selecting and Hanging Doors

144

(4)

Installing the Windows

148

(2)

Installing Kitchen Cabinets

150

(1)

Selecting and Installing Floor Covering

151

(2)

Adding the Trim

153

(2)

Bibliography

155

(2)

Index

157

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.