Waterproofing Design Specialists
For design teams in Manchester & the North West.
Waterproofing design for architects, structural engineers, developers and main contractors. We design the waterproofing for commercial basements, podium decks, buried roofs and complex below-ground structures, then install it ourselves, so one team is responsible from first drawing to handover.
Design responsibility, not just a specification
When a below-ground space leaks, the first question is who is responsible. Many waterproofing specialists will advise on a design but won't stand behind it. Our 2022 survey of industry professionals, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, found many carry professional indemnity insurance yet do not accept design responsibility.
With Trace there is no gap:
- We act as the Waterproofing Designer on your project, backed by £2.5m professional indemnity insurance
- We design every system we install, so design and installation sit with one party
- If a question arises later, there is one point of responsibility, not a dispute between designer and installer
Trace are Industry leading waterproofing contractors
A multi-award-winning, nationally recognised specialist in damp proofing and basement waterproofing solutions.
Fully qualified waterproofing experts
Designing waterproofing
All of our Experienced waterproofing specialists are competent in CAD and this is employed to create or tailor designs to suit any given configuration of structure. See our Arndale case study for an example of waterproofing design in a world-first scenario.
Specialists waterproofing - Professional Indemnity
Trace carry £2.5m professional indemntiy insurance, allowing us to act as the 'Waterproofing Designer' on your design team and project.
Experienced waterproofing specialists
Trace has designed thousands of systems spanning more than twenty years, including many remedial systems paid for by insurers (NHBC etc). We understand how to design out risk.
Designed by people who help set the standard
British Standard panel: Trace was one of only two contractors on the panel that revised BS 8102, the UK code of practice for below-ground waterproofing, in 2022
CSSW: all our designers hold the Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing qualification. Director James Hockey is a CSSW examiner, and our other director won the CSSW award for highest exam marks
PCA Registered Waterproofing Design Specialist: a higher standard requiring a professional interview and evidence of bespoke design work. We also sit on the PCA panel that interviews candidates for the register
Warranty provider experience: we have designed remedial systems paid for by structural warranty providers such as NHBC, and rewritten technical guidance on their behalf
When to involve a waterproofing designer
The earlier, the better. Waterproofing designed alongside the structure costs less and performs better than protection added after the frame is fixed.
- Concept and planning: confirm the grade of protection the space needs and any implications for the structure or levels
- Technical design: select and combine Type A, B and C protection; detail junctions, penetrations, drainage and pump arrangements in CAD
- Warranty sign-off: provide the design information structural warranty providers such as NHBC and LABC require
- Construction: install the system with our own operatives and verify it, including flood testing drained systems
- Handover and beyond: insured guarantee and ongoing maintenance of drainage and pumps
Read more in our guides: When should you appoint a waterproofing specialist? and BS 8102 environmental grades explained.
We design systems as proof of concept from our Head Quarters
Waterproofing design quotes
If you're looking for a quote on a new build waterproofing project, or have issues with the current tanking waterproofing system, talk to Trace about arranging a visit.
A Comprehensive Waterproofing Specialist Offer - No Split Liabilities
In 2022 Trace conducted a survey of waterproofing industry professionals, to enable production of an article for the peer reviewed Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation.
95% of respondents had CSSW but across a range of backgrounds (Contractors, Independents and Materials Manufacturers) and we also captured responses from 98% of all PCA Registered Waterproofing Design Specialists.
Part of the question set included what people offer in relation to taking responsibility for the waterproofing design. Taking design responsibility requires professional indemnity (P.I.) insurance.
If you're not familiar with these terms, taking responsibility as a Waterproofing Designer, means that if you design something which does not work, for are liable for that. Professional indemnity insures designers and the advice that they provide. This protects the client if they end up with a failed outcome, so P.I. cover and design responsibility is a key facet of client protection, hence it is very important!
What we found is that many waterproofing industry professionals carry Professional Indemnity Insurance, but then do not accept design responsibility.
This is therefore a potentially confusing scenario. You can have a 'Waterproofing Design Specialist', which is the wording used in BS8102 (British Standard for Waterproofing), but you then need someone else (a Waterproofing Designer) to take actual responsibility.
The point we make is that we always take design responsibility for what we install. There is no ambiguity or split liability (one party responsible for design, another for installation) where you employ Trace. This is best for client, main contractors, and the rest of the design team.
“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
Experienced Specialists in Waterproofing Design
Trace have specialised in waterproofing design since the 1980's, today we look at everything from residential cellars to retrofit basements below gardens, to podium decks, buried roofs and four storey deep commercial basements.
Discuss your project
Winning awards & Accreditations
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Guidance for commercial project teams
When should you appoint a waterproofing specialist?
Explore when to involve a specialist in your design team and why early coordination matters.
Procuring basement waterproofing
Understand the differences between providers, design responsibility and the questions to ask before appointing a specialist.
Recent projects by Trace
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Experts in Waterproofing Design & Construction
North-West leading Waterproofing experts