North West Structural Waterproofing
Trace designs, installs and guarantees structural waterproofing for commercial buildings, new-build basements and high-value residential projects across Manchester and the North West. We work to BS 8102, from early design stage through to insured handover and long-term maintenance.
Basements, plant rooms, car parks, lift pits, podium decks, tunnels and retaining walls all fall within our remit.
One contractor, one point of responsibility
Waterproofing fails most often at the interfaces: between designer and installer, or between installer and the trades that follow. We remove those gaps by keeping every stage in-house:
- Design by CSSW-qualified designers, backed by professional indemnity insurance
- Supply and installation by our own trained operatives, not subcontractors
- Insured guarantees on completed systems
- Maintenance of drainage and sump pump systems for the life of the building
One contract covers the whole waterproofing package, so there is no split liability if questions arise later.
Designed to BS 8102 by people who helped write it
BS 8102 is the UK code of practice for protecting below-ground structures against water. Trace was one of only two contractors on the panel that revised it in 2022. We have also rewritten technical guidance for structural warranty providers, changing how new-build basement waterproofing is delivered in the UK.
CSSW-qualified designers, including a CSSW examiner
The principal design guide employed for basement waterproofing in the UK and particularly relevant to new construction. Trace were one of only two UK Contractors serving on the update panel for the 2022 revision of the British Standard.
PCA-registered Waterproofing Design Specialists, who also assesses candidates for that register
The best Waterproofing design is only as good as those that install it. Trace staff undertake structural waterproofing work day in day out, and understand that we are providing an end result, not simply installing a material, there is a difference.
MRICS Chartered Surveyors and winner of the CSSW award for highest exam marks
Trace's Designers all hold CSSW, Furthermore a CSSW examiner, a PCA registered Waterproofing Design Specialist (also vets candidates seeking to join that register). MRICS Chartered Surveyor - winner of CSSW award for highest exam marks.
What we waterproof
Commercial basements and plant rooms:
Hospitals, offices, hotels, car showrooms and hospitality venues.
New-build basements
Residential developments and individual high-specification homes.
Car parks and lift pits
Including below-ground service areas.
Podium and roof decks
See our deck waterproofing service.
Retaining walls and piled structures:
Including contiguous piled walls that need additional protection.
Listed and heritage buildings:
Reversible systems that respect the historic fabric, across 570+ listed buildings to date.
Working with your design team
The earlier we are involved, the less a project risks redesign, delay or a system that cannot be maintained. We work alongside architects, structural engineers and main contractors to:
- Assess the site and agree the grade of protection the space needs
- Select and combine Type A, B and C protection to suit the structure and its use
- Detail the critical junctions, penetrations and drainage outlets
- Verify the installed system before handover, including flood testing where drainage is involved
See our waterproofing design service for more on the design stage.
New-build basements and structural warranty work
Structural warranty providers instruct Trace to resolve waterproofing failures in basements less than ten years old. That work shapes how we design new systems: we see what goes wrong, and design it out from the start.
For developers and self-builders, we provide a turnkey new-build package covering design, installation, insured guarantee and maintenance. Read more about our new-build waterproofing.
“The whole team at Trace were brilliant. Fantastic and clear communication at the start and so professional and helpful on site.”
N. Sugden
Mitchells & Butlers
Winning awards & Accreditations
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Frequently asked questions
What is structural waterproofing?
Structural waterproofing protects any part of a building below ground level from groundwater and moisture. It is designed to BS 8102 using one or more of three protection types: barrier systems (Type A), the structure itself (Type B) and drained cavity systems (Type C).
When should a waterproofing specialist be involved?
Ideally at design stage, before the structure is detailed. Early involvement lets the waterproofing, structure and drainage be designed together, which is cheaper and more reliable than adding protection later.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes. Systems we design and install carry insured guarantees, and we offer ongoing maintenance of drainage and pump systems.
Do you work outside the North West?
Our focus is Manchester and the wider North West. For larger commercial projects elsewhere, contact us to discuss.
Areas we cover
We are based in Hadfield, on the edge of Greater Manchester, and work across Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and the Derbyshire High Peak.
"The whole team at Trace were brilliant. Fantastic and clear communication at the start and so professional and helpful on site." N. Sugden, Mitchells & Butlers
Discuss your project
Whether you are at concept stage or on site, talk to our design team about the waterproofing your structure needs.
Discuss your project
