Earth Berm Homes: Should You Consider One Of These Earth-Sheltered Dwellings?
Like everything in construction, there are pros and cons to this type of building—and some of those cons are particularly significant from a moisture management and mold prevention standpoint.
In this video, we’ll talk about:
- The significant challenges these homes face with moisture and water intrusion
- The advantages of earth berm homes (tornado protection, natural light potential, quiet living, energy efficiency)
- Why the ground itself is a constant source of high humidity (95-99% relative humidity, even in desert climates!)
- Ventilation limitations and why cross-ventilation is so difficult to achieve
- Earthquake vulnerability and repair challenges
- Why mold is a major concern in these structures
- Other practical considerations like resale value, flooding risk, and pest issues
If you’re someone who’s concerned about mold—and most of you watching this are—I’m always surprised when people consider earth berm dwellings. Living partially or fully underground is essentially like living in a basement, surrounded by soil that maintains constant high moisture levels.
Watch the full video for my thoughts on earth berm homes and why ventilation concerns make this a challenging option for health-conscious homeowners.
That doesn’t mean these homes can’t be done well, but the moisture management challenges are substantial and ongoing. Understanding what you’re getting into is crucial before making this kind of investment.
If you are remediating or building, I consult with homeowners and builders to ensure moisture management is properly addressed from the start. (See options for Consulting in our site menu above), but first and foremost; I invite you to join me as a student in my in-depth, interactive program to build any style of healthy home; “Building A Safe Home”! ⬇️
To learn the critical fundamentals of building ANY kind of home safely with moisture management for mold prevention, see my “Building A Safe Home” interactive online program!
📲 For more education on how to get rid of, remediate, and prevent mold find my online classes at https://avoidingmold.com/education
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Get Your Questions Answered By A Building Professional
Cheryl Ciecko is an ALA, LEED AP, Licensed Architect who helps homeowners and building professionals create safe homes through online education to prevent mold, water damage, and poor indoor air quality.
ONLINE CLASSES & PROGRAMS
You can find her video masterclasses, online programs, and education subscription options at https://avoidingmold.com/education .
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REQUIRED DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this presentation is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any disease, ailment or injury to the body. It is not medical advice. FDA regulations prohibit the use of medical claims in conjunction with the sale of any product not approved by the FDA. Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Any products, techniques, and/or personal usage tips referred to are not suggested as a replacement for proper treatment from a licensed health care professional. I am not a licensed health care professional and the decision to use or not to use any of this information is the sole responsibility of the listener and/or reader. Everyone is an individual with different body types, different blood types, different body chemistries, and it is important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another person.