Reviving Your House by Alan Dan Orme
500 Inexpensive and Simple Solutions to Basic Home Maintenance Issues
Storey Communications, Inc. - October 2001
ISBN: 1580174035 - Paperback
Nonfiction / How To

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks, MyShelf.com
Buy a Copy

As we all know, taking on the ownership of a home can be emotionally tasking and financially draining if one doesn't know what they are doing. Repairing and upkeep of a house is not a voluntary option, but expected - especially if you take on an older home, which is what Orme highlights on.

Alan Dan Orme has renovated often in his lifetime. Now he is using his own mistakes and discoveries to advise others. He goes into detail about everything, and I mean everything! Readers will be pleased to see lists and drawings to follow, make copies of and to simple help them understand about both buying and owning an older home. Because there is so much that many buyers do not know when considering home ownership, holding Orme's book in hand before, during, and after buying a house will without a doubt save precious time, money, and trouble. I know I will be holding on to my copy for our next home purchase.

Below is a list of the chapters and what is discussed in each. Orme doesn't waste time or words when going through each subject. I can honestly say, readers can expect a true book of how to advice.

Reviving Your Old House
Holds questions for the reader.
First Steps
Finding the house, Checking it out, Mulling it over
Organizing for Work
Planning Ahead, Tools, Collecting Old-House Treasures
Weatherization and Exterior Revival
Weatherizing, restoring masonry, surfaces and painting wood, Shutters, Windows, Doors, and Porches, Chimney's and roofs
Creative Ways With Interiors
New Space for Old Houses, Basements and Their Problems, Interior Renovation
Landscaping for the Old House
Plant and walkway advice and how-to
Glossary
Much needed section for those unfamiliar with restoration lingo