Practical Restoration Reports Compendium
Author John Leeke, Published by John Leeke’s Historic HomeWorks 2005
This book combines the best of the author’s earlier books which covered: “Save Your Wood Windows,” “Wood-Epoxy Repair,” “Wooden Columns,” “Exterior Woodwork Details,” “Wood Gutters,” “Mouldings,” and “Managing Maintenance for Older and Historic Building.” It is a valuable resource for craftsmen, designers, architects, and anyone interested in the preservation of wood. It is especially beneficial for craftsmen in the early part of their careers. The author lays out best business practices for maintaining older and historic structures in a manner equally useful for building owners and the independent craftsmen offering to maintain these structures.
Still within the maintenance section of the book, the author offers examples of checklists which help organize the necessary repairs.
The author goes into great detail illustrating the problems, some caused by inappropriate repairs as well as having provided ample photographs with explanations when he illustrates the creation of replacement parts.
The author’s window repair projects often required the creation of new parts. Seen here are those new and old parts being re-assembled. The section on the repair of exterior wood columns is filled with illustrations and begins by illustrating the assembly to document the architectural terminology. There are many images of column maintenance issues.
The section on wood columns includes this illustration of moisture entering and exiting. The intent is to provide guidance for painters, thus avoiding the clogging of essential vent holes purposefully left in the structure.
Repairs to wood column are illustrated using epoxy filler as well as traditional repairs with dutchman patches. I was particularly fascinated with the section regarding the repair of wood gutters. His opening page discusses the benefit of repair over replacement. Before actually starting the work, the author recommends planning for the disassembly of the area where deterioration has occurred.
It's just my opinion, but I believe this is an essential reference book for any young craftsman wanting to develop a career in preservation, specifically wood repair and restoration. This book will also be of benefit to those who have the responsibility of maintaining their homes or other structures.
About the Author:
John Leeke is a lifelong woodworking craftsman, preservationist, author/educator living in Portland, Maine. He founded his company, Historic HomeWorks in 1971. Throughout his career, he has been a hands-on craftsman learning from mentors and friends in the beginning. As his reputation spread throughout New England, he began offering long-distance consulting which led to the creation of Reports for his clients. For decades he has led workshops on wood restoration. He constantly monitors new wood restoration products, testing each for himself before recommending, or discouraging their use by homeowners and other craftsmen. John has been a reliable, and trusted resource. I have found his Compendium to be an essential reference for wood restoration.
P.S. Please feel free to send me your comments on Practical Restoration Reports Compendium, or other books that you believe are essential for preservationist!