Concrete slab on ground - covered with cork.

[trace]

On my house from '74, with a slab foundation, there is a cork board on the outside of the slab (as seen from the outside) and then there is plaster on the cork. What function does the cork serve? Is it some kind of moisture barrier or what? Since there is soil all the way up against the foundation and plaster conducts moisture well, the cork should always be damp. Cork = organic = problem?

 

[morsan]

Could it be these kinds of cork boards you have :-/
http://www.raa.se/materialguiden/mat_show.asp?matid=141&chptid=482

 

[trace]

Maybe. The kork is only about 5mm thick so insulation can't really be talked about. Rather, it should probably be some form of moisture barrier. Should I do something about it?

 

[morsan]

No idea :-[ but they used it as cladding on barracks in the past according to Google