ABSTRACT

This new edition of Understanding Housing Defects has been extensively revised and includes new and revised graphics, many more photographs, and an extended text. The book is a natural companion to The Construction of Houses (first published in 1990 and now in its 3rd revision). Understanding Housing Defects provides a concise, coherent and comprehensive introduction to the causes, investigation and diagnosis of housing defects.

It is aimed at all those students and practitioners who require a broad understanding of housing defects as part of a wider sphere of academic or professional activity.

The book has three specific objectives, to explain why, and how, defects occur. To enable the reader to recognise and identify building defects and to provide, where appropriate, guidance on their correct diagnosis.

The authors have worked in both public and private sectors and have, between them over 75 years’ experience in dealing with housing and general building defects. Currently, they are all lecturers at the University of the West England, where they teach on a variety of undergraduate and post-graduate courses. They are also actively involved in carrying out research and consultancy for a number of property owning organisations throughout the UK.

chapter |2 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|19 pages

Legal Definitions and Implications

chapter 2|24 pages

Building Movement - Foundations

chapter 3|20 pages

Building Movement - Walls

chapter 4|26 pages

Brickwork and Stonework

chapter 5|19 pages

Ground Floors

chapter 6|16 pages

Upper Floors

chapter 7|28 pages

Pitched Roofs

chapter 8|26 pages

Flat Roofs

chapter 9|13 pages

External Rendering

chapter 10|18 pages

Plastering and Plasterboard

chapter 11|12 pages

Internal Walls

chapter 12|16 pages

Timber Pests

chapter 13|14 pages

Condensation

chapter 14|23 pages

Damp

chapter 15|25 pages

System Building

chapter 16|24 pages

Services

chapter 17|11 pages

Appendix