It's time to learn about Mud Flooring: A construction masterpiece

Mud flooring is the technique of preparing mud paste and applying it to achieve a smooth, leveled surface. This type of flooring is traditional and environmentally friendly at the same time.

Mud and cow dung are used as binding materials to prepare this type of floor. It used to be common for people to lay mud on their houses as a form of flooring. The superstructure of the structure is constructed of bamboo.

Mud Flooring Features

Recycle Ability

It is essential to preserve the environment in the modern era. Mud buildings are a valuable contribution to our atmosphere to combat global warming. By substituting non-reusable materials with mud, carbon emissions can be reduced.

It is possible to reuse the mud after breaking down the building. Once it has been converted to compostable material, it becomes a part of the ecosystem.

Carbon Foot Printing

A recent trend in construction is to incorporate it into the design. Carbon is emitted from cement through ejecting mud & reduced by mud.

Insulation

Unlike other types of flooring, mud floors have a very natural ability to insulate. By doing so, they can maintain a constant temperature. During the summer, it is capable of retaining cool air & preserving warm air in winter.

Mud houses have the best ventilation system due to their porous nature. A sunny day will result in a mild indoor temperature. Those voids in the building permit good air passage through the building, resulting in a well ventilated house. As a result, the house stays at a comfortable temperature.

Eco Friendly

It is the most suitable choice for industries due to its disposable nature. The construction sector reaps major benefits from using mud as an eco-friendly material. Their costs are ultimately reduced since it degrades quickly.

Construction Process of Mud Flooring

Material?s Choice

Materials are chosen based on the project's natural preferences. Materials containing mud are the most common. In addition to being neat and strong, mud flooring can withstand tensile and shear forces.

Ideally, the mud should be fine grained and completely free of coarse sand and gravel. During the installation process, the mud is soaked in water. When the soaking process has been completed after seven days, it is complete.

Surface Preparation

During the second stage, water should be used to wet the floor appropriately. Stone rubble or stone is added first, as it contains thicknesses ranging from 15 to 25 centimeters.

The stone layer reinforces the floor and makes it more durable. It prevents rodents from making holes in the floor and allows moisture to be controlled. There is also less subterranean settling to deal with.

Material Stabilization

It is essential to follow a good construction process when building a mud house today. A stabilizer is provided to stabilize the materials. Mud floors benefit from these stabilizers because they provide a fine appearance. A stabilizer is inserted into the mud to enhance its quality.

As an example, Stabilized Compressed Interlocking Earth Blocks contain five percent cement in addition to local mud. As a result of the compressed outcome, material stability can be achieved. The material is thus resistant to water and provides structural strength.

Material Mixing

Water is added to the mud with the chopped and sifted straw. Straws prevent cracking by blending the mud to create a consistent mix after it has dried.

Mud Paste Use

This bed has been prepared using the earlier mix of mud paste. The layer thickness should be between ten and twenty five cm and it is best to spread the material in a single, uninterrupted layer.

Surface Leveling

Leveling the surface is done by compacting the mud paste after it has been laid. This step does not contain any accumulation of water, so the paste makes it easier to compact the surface.

This operation is performed with wooden instruments. The compacted material measures approximately six inches thick. During the supply process, it is important to remove tool marks. The elevated portion is used to extract the extra mixture.

Finishing Coat

The finishing coat is referred to as cow dung wash in the context of tiled floors. Clay and cow dung are mixed together to make the finishing coat. There is a thin layer of it on the compact floor. The majority of people ignore this step as a possibility because it is optional. Mold can also develop on the surface of mud in specific patterns.

Surface Curing

A layer of water is placed on top of the mud floor to complete the mud flooring process. As a result, the floor won't dry out as fast as it usually does. Spraying water across the smooth surface distributes moisture evenly. This approach is likely to damage the floor if ignored since its intervals are regular.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Shridham Foundation

Mud Flooring Maintenance

It takes one to two weeks for mud floors to lose their fine look. Therefore, they usually require preservation as they can remain in better condition for a long time. The following actions can be taken to keep the mud floor in a more favorable condition.

Mud floors require regular maintenance to remain in good condition. The final look of the floor is determined by the thickness of the cow dung wash applied to the floor. Finishing coats present a problem on the floor as they make it look unclean.

Mud Flooring Merits

Maintenance is easy and it is an eco friendly flooring option. A mud floor can be constructed by unskilled labor. There is a wide range of materials available for mud flooring. These floors are cost effective and fire resistant. Flooring made from this material can withstand extreme acidic conditions. As a result, mud floors offer heat insulation properties.

Mud Flooring Demerits

Moisture from the environment can be absorbed efficiently by it. Despite its strength, it cannot withstand large loads and has a short lifespan. The mud floor needs to be maintained regularly, and it is not very water-resistant.

It's time to learn about Mud Flooring: A construction masterpiece