Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition by Dr David Watt

Building Expert Publishes Latest Edition of Industry Leading Book

A leading expert within the building sector has released the latest edition of his renowned book, ‘Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition’.

David Watt, Associate Director at Hutton + Rostron (A SOCOTEC Company) has published the third edition of the renowned title – 26 years after the first edition was released in 1999.

Speaking upon the release of the book’s third edition, David said: “This edition arrives as the wider industry is facing an increasing number of new challenges – between building safety, climate resilience, retrofitting and the increasing complexity of heritage assets in active use.”

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“As a result, the case studies featured within the text have been updated and expanded to reflect that change, with a stronger focus of applying principles in varied, real-world contexts.”

“Ultimately, we need to strive to give professionals the confidence to diagnose and act, not just observe, and hopefully that will be achieved with this updated edition.”

A prolific author with several titles published within the surveying and building space, David is focused on using his extensive experience as a chartered building surveyor and historic buildings consultant to help unpeel the layers of buildings and their users in ‘Building Pathology’.

This is managed through assisting in defect diagnosis, as well as the design and implementation of specific and appropriate remedial measures.

For David, though, the book’s aim is less about providing specific solutions, and more of a focus on the processes involved: “What I wanted to get across in the book, is that we can’t fix what we don’t understand. Often, there is a rush to treat the symptom without fully diagnosing the cause, but true Building Pathology is all about getting to the heart of what is going on, and understanding the interplay of materials, environment and use.”

“The benefits of taking this approach is that remediation is far more robust, sustainable and cost-effective, as well as protecting the long-term value of a building.”

David says this approach is indicative of one that is shared by the wider SOCOTEC business: “At SOCOTEC, we focus on practical outcomes, based on solid evidence, extensive research and careful inspection. We could be dealing with a listed building that is suffering from damp and decay, or a modern façade with movement issues – whatever the issue we approach it methodically.”

The Hutton + Rostron team has a substantial depth of knowledge on traditional materials and historic fabric that is critical in heritage work.

The third edition of ‘Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition’, by David Watt, can be purchased in all good bookstores, as well as online. Use code ENG20 for 20% off