“The WRONG way to build an adobe home”: a video finished in 2023 explaining my findings after working on adobe homes for almost 40 years.

Building adobe homes can be done correctly or incorrectly. If you’re considering constructing a new adobe home, doing it the right way can result in substantial savings, avoiding tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair expenses. Conversely, building it incorrectly may lead to a lifetime of misery, dealing with the ongoing headaches and financial burdens of regular problems.

If you’re contemplating the purchase of an adobe home but find yourself unfamiliar with the distinct requirements and features of these unique structures, you could inadvertently be setting yourself up for a slew of maintenance challenges and headaches. This video aims to provide valuable insights to empower you in making informed decisions regarding the construction or purchase of adobe homes, guiding you towards choices that align with your needs and preferences.

If you’re contemplating the purchase of an adobe home but find yourself unfamiliar with the distinct requirements and features of these unique structures, you could inadvertently be setting yourself up for a slew of maintenance challenges and headaches.

After four decades of working on customers’ homes, with nearly 40 years dedicated exclusively to adobe homes, I’ve created what I consider one of the most significant videos in my extensive career: an hour-long-plus video—almost 90 minutes—demonstrating and explaining common mistakes in adobe home construction.

Why is this video so important to me? Because most people interested in adobe homes, whether they already live in or plan to buy one, often lack knowledge about the best construction methods and practices for these unique dwellings. In reality, many adobe homeowners reside in these type of homes that were improperly built, leading to frequent and costly maintenance issues.

I offer a distinctive viewpoint on adobe homes. While many specialize in constructing adobe walls or manufacturing adobe blocks, my lifelong dedication has been to the repair and preservation of these unique dwellings. Rather than being involved in their initial construction, my expertise lies in assessing adobe homes decades later, scrutinizing whether their construction techniques and materials have stood the test of time. Regrettably, a considerable portion, if not the majority, of adobe homes fall short or receive failing grades when evaluated on their longevity and durability.

Many individuals are unaware of the high maintenance demands that come with most adobe homes. Many are built in the wrong way, using the wrong materials, and will require an incredible amount of costly and ongoing maintenance. Many of these homes are not “dream homes” but nightmares.

This video represents the culmination of 40 years dedicated to working on homes and distilling much of this hard-earned knowledge into lessons for prospective adobe homeowners. These insights can be valuable in evaluating the next adobe home they may consider purchasing. For existing adobe homeowners, the video serves as a resource to comprehend why their homes might be experiencing an unusual and frustrating degree of deterioration. Furthermore, it offers practical advice on how to mitigate this damaging and costly process.

“Many individuals are unaware of the high maintenance demands that come with most adobe homes.”

Roy Spears, Adobe Masters

My perspectives might be viewed as controversial by some. For instance, in Tucson, there was a renowned adobe block manufacturer, also an architect, who confidently asserted that his adobes could endure for a century with minimal deterioration. This compelling sales pitch led many homeowners to believe in the longevity of his adobes, prompting them to construct their dream homes with these materials.

Regrettably for the aforementioned adobe block manufacturer, it fell upon a professional like myself to be called in years later (far short of the promised one hundred years) when many of these homes started to deteriorate. One particular project required tens of thousands of dollars for necessary restoration and repair. Having worked on numerous homes constructed with this man’s adobes over the decades, I can assert with confidence that his presentation of the product was unethical, resembling the proverbial image of a snake oil salesman. Fortunately, he is no longer in business.

Who is the intended audience for this video, and who would find value in investing in it? There are two distinct groups: those aspiring to build their dream homes from adobe and those currently in the market for purchasing existing adobe properties. The insights provided in this video have the potential to yield substantial savings, potentially sparing viewers tens of thousands of dollars in costly repairs and maintenance throughout the lifespan of owning an adobe home. Moreover, the invaluable knowledge shared in this video aims to alleviate the accompanying headaches, worries, and stress often experienced by adobe homeowners who entered into homeownership without a thorough understanding of the challenges, thus transforming their dream homes into costly maintenance nightmares.

If you are looking to build or buy an adobe home, this video is a “must watch.”