What are the downsides of adobe houses?

Adobe's three main weaknesses are water, seismic shear, and labor cost. Mud bricks erode under prolonged moisture, so adobe is rare outside arid climates. Traditional walls require regular re-plastering with mud, lime, or earthen finishes. Unreinforced adobe also performs poorly in earthquakes. California effectively banned new adobe construction for decades after seismic-code revisions. Dwell reports the prohibition is only now relaxing after the 2025 Los Angeles fires. Modern codes require bond beams, steel reinforcement, and engineered footings that raise costs. The brick itself is cheap, but skilled adobe labor often accounts for half or more of a contractor-built project's total budget.