The next job is to secure the Wall Plate and to compress the straw bales as much as possible. As the future roof will will have large overhangs and be fixed to the wall plate it is important to ensure it cannot all blow off in even the strongest of winds.
We therefore put heavy duty ratchet straps over the wall plate secured to the 16mm threaded stainless steel rods, which we had put into the concrete foundations for this purpose.
We found that the large straw bales we are using hardly compacted at all compared to what can be expected from using small bales.
The lorry ratchet strap attached to a wire loop, which goes around a threaded rod through the concrete foundations below.
Bruno tightening a strap with the ratchet.
Some of the straps in place.
Xavier ensuring they are in the right place.
Is the wall plate level? And at the same height all around the building?
This little machine, given to the project by Peter’s brother, not only gives a vertical laser line but a horizontal line 360 degrees around. We can therefore check the level right round the building.
Happily it was all good!
Tablehurst Straw House 