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Rating: 
Summary: The single most common problem of homeowners is water
Review: The single most common problem of homeowners is water, whether it be mold or a damp basement or a leaky roof. This shares a professional contractor's insights on water, tells how to prevent many water problems, and how to fix existing problems. From ventilation systems to vapor barriers and basement sealers, this covers all the possible tricks to keeping a home watertight.
Rating: 
Summary: worthwhile if incomplete
Review: This book gives a lot of good information on WHY your house is having moisture problems. Whether it's the stream running through your basement, the paint peeling off the walls, or the puddle in the ceiling, he gives you the theory you need to understand how it got there and track down the real problem.
If you own a house, chances are you have a moisture problem and need to know this stuff.
The basement problems discussion is very comprehensive if you have a "standard" block foundation, and the roofing chapters are specific to "asphalt" (usually really fiberglass) shingles. Even though the theory will still apply, you (or your contractor) will have to work out the details if you use an alternative construction technique/material.
The one topic that I felt was under-discussed was the installation of vapor retarders (which the industry tends to call vapor barriers). If you ask 10 experts, you'll get at least 10 opinions. I found it disappointing that there was only one solution presented, with no discussion of the controversies that still exist. His solution may prove to be the best, or it may just be better than what happened to have been put in your house.Until someone writes a more comprehensive discussion of the subject, get this one and act on as many of the suggestions as you can afford.
Rating:
Summary: worthwhile if incomplete
Review: This book gives a lot of good information on WHY your house is having moisture problems. Whether it's the stream running through your basement, the paint peeling off the walls, or the puddle in the ceiling, he gives you the theory you need to understand how it got there and track down the real problem.
If you own a house, chances are you have a moisture problem and need to know this stuff.
The basement problems discussion is very comprehensive if you have a "standard" block foundation, and the roofing chapters are specific to "asphalt" (usually really fiberglass) shingles. Even though the theory will still apply, you (or your contractor) will have to work out the details if you use an alternative construction technique/material.
The one topic that I felt was under-discussed was the installation of vapor retarders (which the industry tends to call vapor barriers). If you ask 10 experts, you'll get at least 10 opinions. I found it disappointing that there was only one solution presented, with no discussion of the controversies that still exist. His solution may prove to be the best, or it may just be better than what happened to have been put in your house. Until someone writes a more comprehensive discussion of the subject, get this one and act on as many of the suggestions as you can afford.
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