About Trace | Basement & Remedial Services

Our award-winning processes

After 50+ years in the industry, Trace Basement Systems has refined a clear, proven process for delivering reliable waterproofing solutions.

Initial Assessment

For existing buildings, Trace carries out a detailed site visit to identify the issue and define the right solution.

For new construction, the team reviews early design information to ensure the correct approach is built in from the start.

Report, Quote & CAD Drawings

You’ll receive a clear report outlining the findings, along with a transparent quote and technical drawings where required. This ensures you fully understand the proposed work before anything begins.

Pre-Start Meeting

Before work starts, everything is reviewed and agreed. Any final changes are discussed, timelines are confirmed, and you’ll know exactly what to expect from the project.

Project Installation

Trace’s experienced team carries out the work on site, delivering to consistently high, award-winning standards with minimal disruption.

Final Inspection & Guarantees

Once complete, the project is thoroughly inspected to ensure everything meets specification. Relevant guarantees are then issued for peace of mind.

Handover & Training

For projects that require it, particularly commercial installations, full handover and training is provided so you know exactly how everything works.

A Trusted Family Business for Over 51 Years

Established in 1974, Trace Basements and Trace Remedial Building Services, has been at the forefront of providing expert solutions for moisture-related challenges in buildings for over five decades.

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Trace win 2024 PCA Best Practice Awards‎‎ ‎

Knowledge, Experience and Innovation

Our extensive experience encompasses basement waterproofing, damp proofing, timber repairs, and the preservation of both new and historic structures. Throughout our history, we've conducted over 50,000 surveys and successfully completed more than 18,000 projects, serving a diverse clientele ranging from national institutions like the NHS to private homeowners.

Our Expertise

Waterproofing Design and Installation: We offer turnkey solutions for both new construction and existing buildings.
Listed and Historic Buildings: Specialising in the delicate preservation of heritage structures, we've worked on over 570 listed buildings, implementing solutions that respect and maintain their historical integrity.
Timber Repair: Our team excels in both traditional and modern timber repair techniques, such as timber-resin splicing, to maximise the retention of original materials in historic buildings.
Damp Proofing Surveys: With over 50,000 surveys completed, our expertise in diagnosing and remedying damp issues is unparalleled.

We're YouTube celebs!

The Trace team got a front-row seat to the action when UK landscaping creator Mark Marshall invited us to appear in his hit video documenting his £1,000,000 garden project. With over 200,000 views the video showcases our on-site expertise, highlighting our practical problem‑solving and professionalism in complex building and remediation challenges. (youtube.com))

Our Achievements

We've always been active both within industry, seeking to raise standards and improve what we offer.

Examples include:

Industry Education: Trace were instrumental in establishing and teaching on courses in dampness in buildings at Oldham College in the 1980's.
Instrumental in setting up GPT/I (guarantee protection trust/insurance) in the 1980's, an insurance scheme designed to protect the public against contractors offering long term guarantees, then going out of business. The scheme was publically praised by the Office of Fair Trading.
Working in association with the Property Care Association (PCA) we were instrumental in setting up and examining on, the qualification: Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW).
We still act as an Examiner on the CSSW waterproofing qualification.
We are PCA registered Waterproofing Design Specialists, and we also aid the PCA in interviewing candidates seeking to join the register.
We are examiners for the qualification: Certificated Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB).

Raising industry standards: We have assisted with drafting and updates across numerous industry best practice guidance documents, working in association with the PCA.
We were one of only two Contractors serving on the update for British Standard 8102 (2022) 'Protection of below ground structures against water ingress', which is the principal design guide for waterproofing in the UK, and employed globally.
We have updated or re-written the technical manuals for four UK structural insurers to aid them in managing risk associated with the basement waterproofing.
At the time of writing we have just joined the industry working party to develop definitions of competence in waterproofing, associated with the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
Trace have been instrumental in progressing cavity drainage waterproofing in the UK, we were the first company in the UK to adopt and progress the use of perimeter drainage channels (a North American invention); which are now ubiquitous within this form of waterproofing.
Trace have developed unique and innovative methods of resin repair for modern timber structures (CLT and glulam).
‍Award winning work: We have won 10x PCA awards: 3x student of the year awards (highest marks in the exams within that year), 2x employee of the year awards and a record 5x project of the year awards.

Client-Centric Approach

As a family business we believe in long term relationships with clients.

We believe that successful outcomes stem from meticulous design and skilled execution.

By serving as a single point of responsibility for waterproofing projects, we protect all stakeholders by minimising risk and ensuring seamless coordination.

From initial consultation to project completion, our focus remains on delivering reliable, high-quality solutions tailored to each client's unique needs.

Running Trace together, David and James follow the family tradition while supporting the wider waterproofing industry. Trace Basement Systems provides practical answers to complex problems of building moisture and damp, from waterproofing and damp proofing to structural timber repair.

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"Investing in a system from Trace guarantees a lasting relationship with long-term benefits."

James Hockey

Trace Basement Systems

Ongoing Management and Maintenance

At Trace, 'Aftercare' means ongoing management and maintenance of our installed systems, ensuring waterproofing remains effective with proper upkeep.

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