Surveying buildings -- Forms of building survey -- Historic buildings and sites -- Building surveys I: basis of inspections -- Building surveys II: the inspection Building surveys II: assesment and reports -- Causes of deterioration and decay -- Building element I: roofs -- Building element II: walls and structural frames -- Buildin element III: ceilings, partitions and floors -- Building element IV: doors, windows and stairs -- Building elemnet V: fixtures, fittings and finishes -- Builing element VI: services -- Site and environment -- Industrial heritage -- Standing ruins and archaeological sites -- A look to the future.

This is a fully revised and updated book that includes valuable new case studies and examples which help to demonstrate the common problems found in older buildings. It features useful photographs illustrating the decay mechanism and individual issues associated with damp, timber decay, masonry defects, roofing problems in particular. The book begins by summarizing the basics of surveying practice, including the inspection, assessment, defect diagnosis and monitoring of defects. Also, it examines the building elements, discussing their construction, typical faults and their diagnoses. This section provides specific advice on assessing industrial monuments and features concise inspection checklists for ease of reference. Other aspects reviewed are what the future holds for historic buildings and understanding the specific challenges faced by property professionals when employed to survey historic buildings. Includes sample survey forms, and a list of useful contacts and expanded bibliography.