Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair

The previous reviewers say it all. I purchased this book after reading some of these reviews and am thankful I did. All other books speak of renovation - a terrifyingly expensive venture - which says everything must be ripped out and replaced and recommend materials which actually do more damage than good. This book preaches keep as much as you can of the old and repair and maintain. Having bought a really old house in France and then being advised ( by our French builders) the roof leaked in at least 6 places, there had been woodworm and Capricorn in the beams and the wall in one bedroom would always be damp if the rain comes in a certain direction - "but none of this is a problem" I was almost suicidal. Reading this book confirmed and reasured me , yes you do have problems, but what do you expect, it is an old house... Now here is how to resolve them. The information is spot on and the materials and methods recommended are accurate and interesting. In fact our French builders have said every British person buying an old property in France should be given a copy on the ferry coming over! We have saved tens of thousands of euros because of this book. Without it we would not have believed our builders advice that we repair the leaky bits of the roof and do not replace it (2,000 euros instead of 35,000), made our own tinted limewash to produce wonderful wall finishes ( you cannot imagine how far 25kg of lime @ 19 euros goes), made beeswax polish to restore beams and woodwork ( 12euros a kilo) instead of gallons of expensive paint and stain. The book has helped us create a beautiful and unique home without breaking the bank.

I greatly enjoyed this book, not least for the wonderful pictures. Details of wood and stone work, views inside and out of humble homes and grand buildings, men and women at work with hammers, chisels, paintbrushes, and plastering tools. From the comfort of an armchair, I can swoop from the nitty-gritty of one job, the horrific challenges of another, or to some charming, beautiful old building preserved by careful repair and maintenance. I get to peek into and around attics, doorways, windowframes, walls, fireplaces, chimney stacks, slated roofs, tiled roofs. I've worked on all of them in my time, although rarely if ever to the very high standards I see here. The text is good too - sensible, informative, helpful - enough info for many tasks provided you have a bit of confidence and some practical ability. All in all, I was very pleased to have bought it, and I expect I will dip into again for practical guidance, and maybe again sometime for the simple pleasure of seeing good work being done on precious buildings.

Bought this book as it seemed to contain a lot of chapters and ideas for restoring period homes. After I purchased my home built in 1875 I realised I need a bit more knowledge before I tackled the renovation. Great book, plenty of knowledge and lots to learn

I would class this Book as essential reading for any owner of an old or Listed Building. It is full of practical advice on how to fix or where to get advice on how best to maintain an old structure. Modern building methods are gererally not suitable for old buildings and is some cases can ever exasperate the problems that you are trying to fix. The Book covers a wide range of subjects including ; What to look out for when Purchasing an Old Building, the Long Term Management of Roofs,Walls and Damp , How to Prioritise and What can practically be viewed as DIY Projects. The Book even provides guidance on the thorny subject of working with your local Conservation Officer. Excellent value.

Really practical and understandable advice on the care and repair of old buildings. One of the best books I've bought on the subject!

I bought this as we live in a 150 year old sandstone cottage and have minor damp issues which no one seems able to resolve. Within minutes of reading the relevant section, we were able to identify the reason for our damp. Really informative on all aspects of living in, and maintaining, an old property and how modern maintenance techniques can have a detrimental effect on an old property. Just wish we'd had this book to refer to as soon as we bought our cottage. An essential book if you live in an older property.

Simple and practical

Informative, full of important details and practical advice. If you have an old house, especially predating 1800, it s an absolute must.

This is a very useful practical guide for anyone considering restoring an old house. I highly recommend it. Good resource.

Over the moon, great paperback book, excellent condition and the information within the book is so great it’s what anyone who teaches or genuinely cares about anything in the construction industry should endeavour to obtain a copy of this book, as it’s so valuable it will only ever increase in value. Excellent information and great read. And I have been and still am active in the industry for over 54 years in more than 11 countries worldwide.

This book is invaluable to anyone who owns a very old house. I also highly recommend the author’s tv show, “Project Restoration,” available on Prime.