Author Description

This guide does not attempt to explain how to perform renovations but deals instead with why renovations become necessary. It looks at the performance of the house and the normal and abnormal conditions that can drive the need to renovate. The guide looks at the systems within the house, how they interact and how an alteration to one can cause another to malfunction. It explores both the existing problems of houses to be renovated and the implications of any chnages being considered. The guide is intended as a reference that permits the reader to move through the document from beginning to end. However, the convenient format of the publication also allows for quick reference to speciv2fic problems or renovations on an "as needed" basis. The inclusion of building science "insights" throughout this guide is meant to increase awareness of important building science issues that are sometimes misunderstood or forgotten during renovation procedures. These and the Healthy Housing Information contained in each chapter reflect growing concerns about occupant health and environment impacts in the renovation industry. The guide focuses on why problems occur, how to avoid them and how not to create new ones as you renovate a house.