Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes
For those who love to live in old houses or want to invest in one, this completely revised and updated book levels no stone unturned. From evaluating a property to making foundation repairs to adding on a porch, it's a comprehensive guide to every aspect of making renovations and repairs—whether you already live in, or are contemplating buying, an older home.
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For those who love to live in old houses or want to invest in one, this completely revised and updated book levels no stone unturned. From evaluating a property to making foundation repairs to adding on a porch, it's a comprehensive guide to every aspect of making renovations and repairs—whether you already live in, or are contemplating buying, an older home.
Introduction2Why Buy an Old House?3Conscious Renovation: Philosophies Defined5A Manufacturer's Warning and Limited Warranty111Evaluating a House Before You Buy16Where to Begin17Inspecting the Exterior18Inspecting the Interior Structure36The Mechanical Systems46The Heating System53The Electrical System56Checking for Pollutants62Real-Estate Matters672Organizing Priorities70Structural or Cosmetic?71Developing the Design72Approaches to Renovation78Hiring a Contractor82Architects and Designers863Foundations87The Forces of Earth and Water88Solving Water-Infiltration Problems92Creating a Dry Cellar Floor98Exterior Drainage103Repairing Foundation Walls106Replacing Foundation Walls109Raising or Holding a House111Jacking the House122The New Foundation1254The House Frame134The Evolution of American House Frames135Repairing or Replacing Rotted Sills138Replacing or Repairing Rotted Posts148Repairing Sagging Floors150Repairing Other Structural Elements155Epoxy Beam Repairs161Truing Up the House Frame1655The Roof and Gutters172Wood Shingles173Slate174Cement-Asbestos Shingles181Metal Roofing182Asphalt Roofing187Valley Problems194Gutters1956Siding, Trim, Windows, and Doors203Wood Siding204Getting under Your House's Skin207Repairing and Replacing Exterior Trim216Nonstructural Epoxy Wood Repairs219Windows220Doors2327Porches, Verandas, and Additions236Repairing Porches and Verandas237Shed and Garage Additions2468Insulation and Ventilation248Ventilation Fact and Fancy249Energy Audits, Caulking, and Weatherstripping251The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Infiltration, Condensation, and Insulation256Vapor Barriers and Air Barriers260Insulation Theory and Practice266Poured and Blown-in Insulation2749Walls, Ceilings, and Floors278What to Do about Plaster?279Alternatives to Plaster294Drywall296Repairing Stairs299Wood Paneling301Ceiling Treatments303Stripping Trim309Finished at Last: The Floors31010The Electrical System317Basic Electrical Theory318A Short History of Home Wiring320How It All Works322The Perils and Pitfalls of Old Wiring326Rewiring an Old House334Lightning Protection34311Household Plumbing346How Plumbing Works348The Old-House Plumbing System350The Drainage System356Plumbing and Structural Changes366A Water-Pump Primer36812Home Heating Systems373Hot-Air Systems374Steam Heating Systems375Hot-Water Heating Systems383Replacing Boilers and Furnaces388Cast-Iron Radiators390Cooling Old House394Repairing and Restoring Chimneys394Afterword402Readings403Index406
\ From the Publisher"Plain talk for restorers, from soup to nuts (and bolts). Here's thorough, practical advice that's sensitive to both history and budget."\ \
