The Repair and Maintenance of Houses - Hardcover

Melville, Ian Alexander; Gordon, Ian Angus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0728202875 ISBN 13: 9780728202870

Publisher: Estates Gazette Ltd, 1997

Synopsis

Hailed as a splendid book - a "must" for any office - when first published and subsequently commended by the Department of the Environment and English Heritage, the new edition of this standard work retains the principles put forward previously but updates the detail to take account of changes in techniques, current Building Regulations and statutes, British Standards and the legislation introduced in 1966. It covers all aspects of the structure and services to enable the correct diagnosis of defects to be made in both old and modern houses, offers practical, environmentally conscious advice in a very readable style, is well indexed and contains many useful structural diagrams.

About this title

From the Back Cover

""Thoroughly researched..great depth.all aspects of the structure and services covered for old and modern housese.includes many useful structural diagrams.practical advice offered.readable style.well indexed.simple to find information.a veritable cyclopedia... a splendid book.. a 'must' for any office""
These are just some of the comments made in journal representing surveyors, architects and valuers and those engaged in building, maintenance work and property management when reviewing the first edition of The Repair and Maintenance of Houses.

Subsequent commendations came from the Department of the Environment, English Heritage and the Georgian Society of Edinburgh by way of inclusion in their recommended reading lists and the book has become a standard work adopted by colleges and universities. For the second edition the authors have also had the benefit of considerable feedback from professional collegues and their geographically wide ranging readership. All this has encouraged them to retain virtually intact the principles put forward previously, but updating the detail where necessary to take account of changes in technique and workmanship exemplified in British Standards, Codes of Practice and in the law through the current Building Regulations for England, Wales and Scotland, the Building Act 1984, the Planning Acts and those Acts passed in 1996 dealing with party walls, building contracts and grants.

The enormous interest now evident in the structures and history of old buildings, only beginning to become pronounced in 1973 when the first edition was published , and the increasing influence of English Heritage, Historic Scotland and organisation such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings has established, one and for all, that traditional practice in the repair of buildings is best. Nevertheless, new techniques, once proved as being valid are included. Full coveage is give to dealing with enduring defects which have become more prominent since the first edition was published, such as wall tie failure, and combating new problems, such as the effect of radon. Environmental concerns have not been overlooked and consequently, the sections on wet and dry rot eradication and the treatment of wood boring insects have largely been re-written. The expectations of occupiers change over the years and the author's perception of these, based on their experience, have led them to re-cast the sections on electrical installations, cold and hot water supply and central heating.

About the Author

Has written extensively on the subject of building surveys and on the diagnosis of defects in dwellings.

Has written extensively on the subject of building surveys and on the diagnosis of defects in dwellings.

About this edition

• Publisher: Estates Gazette Ltd
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0728202875
• ISBN 13: 9780728202870
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 460