How to Make Compressed Earth Blocks

Making a home from compressed earth blocks is a low-impact way of building homes that do not adversely effect the environment. It can also be a fairly inexpensive method of building. Here's how to make your own compressed earth blocks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Screen the soil to make sure it does not contain too much organic material.

2. Use mesh made from 1/8-inch wire as a screen for the soil. Remove any pebbles, organic matter, rocks and other materials that would compromise the integrity of the compressed earth blocks.

3. Add either lime or Portland cement to the soil. This will help to increase the compressed earth blocks' strength as well as help keep it from eroding. Make sure you add the right amount of cement. Too much and the cost of the compressed earth blocks will rise, too little and the compressed earth blocks could crumble.

4. Make sure you add just enough water when you use Portland cement when you make compressed earth blocks. Too much or too little can jeopardize the strength of the block. Test the mixture first before making your blocks.

5. Put the amount you need to make a compressed earth block into the block press (this will depend on the capacity of your block press) and shut the lid. Compact the soil inside the press either with a hydraulic jack or by hand.

6. Remove the block from the press and set it aside to dry and cure.