Diagnosing Damp:

Diagnosing Damp provides you with the knowledge and tools to understand the causes of dampness in buildings and is packed full of features, diagrams and photographs to aid correct diagnosis. It will enable you to:

• Get the latest knowledge on damp in buildings from expert authors
• Check you have the right equipment to investigate damp
• Feel confident you are adopting the right approach
• Correctly identify damp problems using photographs
• Gain real world knowledge through case studies
• Use checklists to verify your diagnosis

Reviews:

"... a very good book, worth the price and one that all those involved in the investigation and diagnosis of damp should read."
The Building Engineer

"An essential reference for all those who wish to understand the often-complex causes and effects of dampness."
Journal of Architectural Conservation

"Diagnosing Damp provides an essential reference for all who wish to understand the often complex causes and effects of dampness. A clear and practical section on the science of dampness and sources of moisture sets the scene and helps debunk much of the misinformation that one sees in survey reports.

Any volume on building defects and diagnostic practices runs the risk of losing its readers in a mire of technical complexity and jargon. Here, this is not the case, and the authors should be congratulated for producing a comprehensive guide to an often-complicated subject. Diagnosing Damp, through its clear written style, easy-to-follow format, and level of illustration stands head and shoulders above its competitors."
Dr David Watt, Senior Research Fellow, De Montfort University, Aug 3rd 2004

A very easy-to-read and comprehensive book that deals with the problems of dampness in a thorough manner. Good format and layout split into three main sections that are logically set out to help the practitioner in the correct diagnosis of the causes of dampness in buildings.

Part 1 looks at the science, sources of moisture and the management/cure of dampness; it does this in clear well written text with the help of useful tables, good quality sketches and excellent colour photographs.

Part 2 covers survey advice and again is written in the same clear text with good quality sketches, tables and again both black-and-white and colour photographs. It considers the general principles of dampness investigations and in actual building elements, as well as a comprehensive look at the currently available equipment and tests.

Part 3 puts the guidance into practice; it details a logical four-stage approach to dampness investigations and presents 11 detailed case studies to illustrate damp problems, their investigation and diagnosis.

There are also some detailed appendices, one of which lists and discusses the legal implications and relevant legislation. In summary a very good book, worth the price and one that all those involved in the investigation and diagnosis of damp should read and certainly have a copy in their office.
A C Auchterlounie FBEng FCIOB MRICS, Senior Lecturer, Bolton Institute, Mar 8th 2004

The arrangement of the book is both logical and very detailed without being too complicated for any surveyor to understand.

The real attraction of this book, for me, is the inclusion of the case studies, which not only clearly identify the common damp problems often encountered, but also some of the common misidentification problems that happen when trying to diagnose damp problems.

The real world nature of these case studies gives me great confidence in the whole text book and I would recommend it to any surveyor who should know about damp problems, or needs reminding of the nature, extent and complications that can occur when carrying out an accurate damp diagnosis.
Martin S Beck BSc MRICS, Principal Lecturer/Regional Training Advisor, RICS West Midlands, Dec 5th 2003

Windows: History, Repair and Conservation:

The window has a long and fascinating history. It has evolved in response to the availability of resources, developments in design and technology, and the demands of those who use them. At once functional and aesthetic, the window must keep out the weather, provide ventilation, prevent intruders and buffer sound. Windows are also integral to the appearance of buildings, reflecting the practice and taste of particular regions or periods. The window cannot be seen in isolation from the building fabric in which it is set.

This book presents, for the first time, a comprehensive treatment of the history and conservation of windows. Bringing together the practical experience of conservation practitioners with the knowledge of leading historians in the field, it offers a unique understanding of the window structure.

PART 1:

Covers the history of the window including the development in glass technology. It also provides an illustrated glossary of window types.

PART 2:

Reviews the changes in policy and legislation and discusses structural issues, decay mechanisms and the current stringent performance standards and how they affect historic windows.

PART 3:

Focuses on the materials used in the construction of windows and the craft of leaded glazing. It details the appropriate techniques for repair and conservation.

Windows is fully illustrated in both colour and mono to include over 400 high quality illustrations.

MIKE PARRETT’S GUIDE TO BUILDING PATHOLOGY:

Mike Parrett's Guide to Building Pathology is a unique set of six, one-hour training DVDs dealing with the real investigation of building failure. It is a huge resource of ground-breaking information covering all aspects of building construction, failure and remediation relating to dampness and flooding.

Mike Parrett, one of the UK's leading Building Pathologists, co-author of the RICS Books' best seller Diagnosing Damp and featured expert on BBC's Raising the Roof series, presents a unique training resource on DVD.

Mike Parrett's guide to Building Pathology is crammed with case studies, anecdotes and a vast store of information on the pathology of buildings - why they fail, how to diagnose the problem and what remedial measures can be put in place.

The six programme topics in the set deal with a wide variety of buildings, from historic castles, Venetian and Chang Dynasty buildings to current housing stock, in the UK, US and Scandinavia. It is a mine of information for anyone searching for the truth about building surveying inspection, construction and maintenance.

• From the roof to the drains
• Modern & period properties
• Insight from a damp expert's perspective
• Avoiding common mistakes and misconceptions
• Best practice in diagnosis and remediation
• Specifying top quality contractual work
• Diagnostic techniques to detect the root cause of a problem not a symptom
• Chemical analysis, calcium carbide and gravimetric testing
• The hidden world of chimneys
• Beating the 'cowboys'
• Legal issues - giving evidence

Building failure needs to be looked at holistically. Dampness, in particular, is poorly understood and widely misdiagnosed. The prevalent tendency is to stop the investigation at the symptom and not get to the underlying cause. This series directly addresses gaps in common knowledge and provides not only many examples of best practice but also of a host of common mistakes that mar building construction, maintenance and renovation.

No-one involved in the design, construction, surveying, inspection or maintenance of buildings can afford to be without it!

• Surveyor - Home Inspectors
• Landlords - Housing Associations
• Lawyers - Local Authorities
• Universities - Students
• Contractors - Anyone with a vested interest in buildings

The individual training DVDs cover:

DVD1 - Roofs:

A look at the principles of roof construction, failure and investigation - from Thatch to Metal roofs, featuring the largest lead roof project in the UK and the largest Zinc roof project in Europe.

DVD 2 – Walls & Windows:

A look at the construction of various types of walls, from a stone castle in Ireland to polystyrene houses in the United States. A strong emphasis throughout on tracking down the true causes of damp, featuring many of Mike's pioneering techniques.

DVD 3 – Floors & Basements:

From Roman floors to basements in Venice, a look at all floor types from suspended to solid and how they fail. Includes an in-depth look at the best way to keep basements dry with an emphasis on managing damp, rather than 'curing' it.

DVD 4 – Flooding:

Floods are a force of nature and therefore cannot be entirely avoided. But they can be mitigated against and their passing needs to be dealt with in a timely and effective manner. How do we know when a house is truly dry? Why are floods becoming an increasing problem? Examples from recently flood-struck Carlisle and the canals of Venice shed light on these questions.

DVD 5 – Drainage and Services:

Drains are a hidden world. How can you find out whether drains or water supplies are leaking? Where are they? Who is responsible for them? How can they be repaired?

DVD 6 – Law & Litigation:

What are the precedents that govern liability in cases of building failure? What are the relevant cases? What will surveyors be asked in court? What evidence is required? This programme covers all current pertinent legislation and features a dramatised re-enactment of the landmark case on the use of building pathology evidence in court.

Among the vast array of information, the DVDs:

• Cover modern & period properties - listed buildings.
• Provide whole building examination - from the roof to the drains.
• Help avoid common mistakes and misconceptions.
• Provide best practice in diagnosis and remediation.
• Offer advice on specifying top quality contractual work.
• Show how to beat the cowboys!
• Examine related legal issues and the giving of specialist evidence.

There are many differing views and an extraordinary amount of misinformation and bad practice surrounding building failure and remediation, but this series of training DVDs looks to break through all this and provide a vital training resource of tips, techniques and eye-opening information for Surveyors, specialist legal practitioners and any other property professionals with a vested interest in the construction, failure and remediation of buildings.

REVIEW:

"Without the empirical findings of Michael Parrett gained over many years we would not have had the confidence to make the programme as hard hitting as it was. This is the best programme I have ever made!"
Ben Hamilton, BBC producer - Raising the Roof series

"Wonderful and extremely well produced... I was shocked to learn that architects can specify some of the case studies shown in the series."
David Rundle, chief executive, BYL Group

"A very, very professional approach to helping future surveyors."
Keith Harris, past president, IMBM

"The depth of the knowledge it took to create the Building Pathology series is apparent as soon as the first disk is opened. Whether the inspector is a novice or a seasoned veteran, there is a wealth of information right from the start… Many of us view our experiences as unique. What Building Pathology teaches us however, is that moisture problems occur the world over."
Frank Lesh, president, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)