Restoring Dry Conditions in a Canal-Side Manchester Apartment Basement

The apartment building's proximity to Manchester's canal network created a distinctive waterproofing challenge. When debris accumulated at a downstream lock, water levels would rise significantly. This elevated water then penetrated through the ground beneath the towpath, creating substantial pressure against the building's external retaining wall. The wall construction—concrete secant piles with a simple blockwork leaf—offered minimal resistance to water ingress, particularly at the upper basement level where dedicated waterproofing measures were absent.

Our inspection revealed critical constraints that would shape our approach. The affected upper basement level featured a suspended concrete slab that could not be compromised during remediation. Any solution needed to address water ingress without disturbing the structural integrity of this element. This limitation required innovative thinking to develop an effective waterproofing strategy that could be implemented with minimal disruption to the building's core structure.