ABSTRACT

In recent years building failures and the resulting lawsuits and awards for damages have frequently been in the news. The biggest headlines may have been reserved for structural failures and complete collapses, but we should not forget the less newsworthy failures such as leaky roofs, damp walls, dropped foundations and rotted timber. This book gives practical guidance on the prevention of failure by describing the nature and cause of the most common defects in buildings, and then shows how they should be avoided in design and construction.

chapter 1|3 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|11 pages

Agencies causing deterioration

chapter 3|25 pages

Durability of materials

chapter 4|13 pages

Moisture

chapter 5|12 pages

Foundations

chapter 6|18 pages

Floors, floor finishes and DPMs

chapter 7|25 pages

Walls and DPCs

chapter 8|18 pages

Cladding

chapter 9|10 pages

Doors and windows

chapter 10|25 pages

Roofs

chapter 11|9 pages

Services

chapter 12|12 pages

Failure patterns and control