A Guide to Major House Repairs

by Geoffrey West

Overview

A concise, easy-to-understand guide to building damage and how to fix it

Detailing different types of damage, this guide outlines steps for both DIY and professional repair work. It also examines how major damage can develop from less serious problems that can be fixed earlier in the process, saving the homeowner time and money. It advises readers on understanding the survey when buying a home; the different types of construction trades and professions, and how to find a builder; and getting finance. Specific issues it goes into include subsidence damage, wall and roof problems, issues arising from damp and flooding, rots and infestations, and accidental and weather damage. It also discusses correction of poor DIY work, issues to consider when repairing listed buildings, materials and how they're used, and how a house is built, and offers comprehensive glossaries of trade terms.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847973863
Publisher:	Crowood Press, The
Publication date:	08/27/2012
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Geoffrey West is a freelance journalist and author who specializes in writing articles about the refurbishment of older houses for magazines and newspapers, including Period House & Its Garden, Period Living, Practical Householder, the Sunday Times, and the Times.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 6

Introduction 7

1 Understanding the Survey 9

2 Different Kinds of Building and Living Beyond the Mains 26

3 Building Trade Professionals, Legalities and Finance 41

4 How a House is Built 58

5 Subsidence, Wall and Flat-Roof Problems 73

6 Damp Problems and Flooding 91

7 DIY Disasters and Sundry Problems 110

8 Rots and Infestations 122

9 Materials and How They Are Used 142

10 Insight Into the Trades 160

Glossary 179

Contacts 188

Index 190