The Old-House Doctor : The Essential Guide to Repairing, Restoring, and Rejuvenating Your Old Home

From a seasoned carpenter, A layperson’s guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving old houses from top to bottom. Old houses are charming, but owning one can be a labor of love. Expert carpenter and house “doctor” Christopher Evers equates old homes with ailing patients, describing how you can successfully “treat” your old house and make it good as new. With over 300 clear, line illustrations, Evers provides a practical guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving your old house—basement to attic—so you can enjoy it for years to come. Evers gives detailed instructions on the “anatomy” of old homes as well as how to fix a variety of problems, including: Repairing old plumbing fixtures Replacing shingles on the roof Straightening the house’s frame Rewiring old electrical systems Removing old wallpaper Protecting against termites and other harmful pests Adding insulation for better energy efficiency Fixing old eaves Reinstalling windows and doors And more A classic in old-home repair, The Old-House Doctor is an invaluable, and timeless, guide for keeping your old home in tip-top shape, while meeting your modern needs. “A reliable guide to treating the ailing geriatric dwelling. . . . Evers’s enthusiasm for his subject makes for reading that is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Lucid directions, ably complemented by Hason’s black-and-white drawings, make this a valuable reference for the do-it-yourself carpenter.” —Publishers Weekly Old houses are charming, but owning one can be a labor of love. Expert carpenter and house "doctor" Christopher Evers equates old homes with ailing patients, describing how you can successfully "treat" your old house and make it good as new. With over 300 clear, line illustrations, Evers provides a practical guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving your old house -basement to attic- so you can enjoy it for years to come. Evers gives detailed instructions on the "anatomy" of old homes as well as how to fix a variety of problems, including:Repairing old plumbing fixturesReplacing shingles on the roofStraightening the house’s frameRewiring old electrical systemsRemoving old wallpaperProtecting against termites and other harmful pestsAdding insulation for better energy efficiencyFixing old eavesReinstalling windows and doorsAnd more!A classic in old-home repair, The Old-House Doctor is an invaluable, and timeless, guide for keeping your old home in tip-top shape, while meeting your modern needs. Overview: Old houses are charming, but owning one can be a labor of love. Expert carpenter and house "doctor" Christopher Evers equates old homes with ailing patients, describing how you can successfully "treat" your old house and make it good as new. With over 300 clear, line illustrations, Evers provides a practical guide to repairing, renovating, and preserving your old house-basement to attic-so you can enjoy it for years to come. Evers gives detailed instructions on the "anatomy" of old homes as well as how to fix a variety of problems, including: Repairing old plumbing fixtures; Replacing shingles on the roof; Straightening the house's frame; Rewiring old electrical systems; Removing old wallpaper; Protecting against termites and other harmful pests; Adding insulation for better energy efficiency; Fixing old eaves; Reinstalling windows and doors and more! Acknowledgments Preface: Old-house doctor and his patients 1: Body and soul of the old-house 2: Exposing the secrets of your old-house's past 3: How disease may threaten your old-house 4: Skeleton of the old-house 5: Hair and scalp: roof and its coverings 6: Skin: wall, ceiling, and floor coverings 7: Doors and windows: the organs of the senses 8: Nervous system: electricity in your old-house 9: Circulatory and excretory systems: water supply and waste disposal 10: Digestive and respiratory systems: old-house energy consumption and ventilation 11: Old-house cosmetics and ornamentation: adding and subtracting wallpaper, paint, and other adornments 12: Restoration, renovation, or euthanasia? Appendix: Old house transplants: locating materials for your old-house Bibliography Index.