Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd (SWS) provide complete structural waterproofing, damp proofing, chemical and pollution containment solutions for all types of buildings and infrastructure.

With professional engineers, surveyors and skilled installation technicians they work in partnership with clients such as Civil Engineering Companies, Architects, Builders, Housing Developers, Structural Engineers, Sub Contractors or Main Contractors to achieve reliable results and to the highestindustry standards. Their clients highly value their level of skills and quality workmanship. SWS provide solutions in some of the most demanding conditions and environments;providing design, installation and inspection services to meet their clients exacting standards, demands and needs.

Using the latest time saving, reliable and proven solutions

SWS are skilled at working with many of the world’s leading waterproofing and sealing technologies. They alsouniquely have access to some of the most advanced award winning membranes, water-stops and coating technologies available from Germany and Switzerland. They have close relationships with several manufacturers who can further add value to theirin depth technical expertise.

A full professional and connected service from beginning to end

From initial survey and ground inspection through to carefully considered detailing and system design, they collaborate closely with the client’s design and engineering teams to achieve consistent and reliable – suited and ‘fit for purpose’ solutions. SWS are on hand throughout the construction process to advise on areas like timings of installation of systems and checks on related work connected with the successful sealing of the structure.

More than simply waterproofing

Whether above or below ground and whether water or another series of contaminants need to be kept at bay, the wide variety of systems used by SWS will ensure that the right products are used for the situation. BS8102 makes clear stipulations about level of waterproofing and containment. SWS of coursework to and often exceed these standards.

SWS have expertise in working in industrial and critical infrastructure situations where fluids or contaminated water may need keeping in as well as out.

SWS will work with the client to ascertain and advise on current and potential future possible risks such as rising water tables due to climate or local environmental changes.

Understanding what is being protected

SWS think beyond the building or structure that needs protecting. It may be the things that a structure or building contains that are of high value or critical to a service or business. SWS can help with risk assessment.

As an example; A water pumping station that is insufficiently protected against the elements can fail leading to 000’s being without water. When a switch control room or below ground area containing business critical plant fails, the results can be catastrophic. SWS are there to advise on the best levels of protection both now and for the structures future.

Whatever you are trying to protect and from whatever elements; talk with SWS

From simple basement protection schemes through to multi deck below ground structures in prestige domestic properties and through to tunnelling and other complex infrastructure and industrial settings; SWS have the knowledge and expertise to solve the complex and apparently insurmountable.

The quality of waterproofing systems and products has improved dramatically in the last few years. Newer chemicals, plastics and polymers are all helping to seal structures more effectively and for longer than ever. However, and when fitted incorrectly, they will fail like any that has come before them.

Correct and skilled installation without damaging things like membranes and water-stops is still key to successful sealing. SWS technicians think about what and where they are installing and the risks of damage before products are covered or hidden within the structure.

All work undertaken by SWS is Fully insured and Guaranteed for total peace of mind.

If you’d like an initial discussion with an expert at Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd;contact them on+44 (0) 845 170 0731 or email your details and initial area of interest:info@swservicesltd.com.

SWS Ltd. Are members of The Basement Waterproofing Association.

Why choosing a Structural Waterproofing expert is critical – at Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd we understand the entire building envelope

Whatever the structure type, at some point the issue of structural waterproofing will need to be considered. Although mostly concerned with out of sight areas and below ground; all areas of a structure need to be carefully considered when it comes to effectively sealing against water and other possible contaminants.

At Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd we specialist in dealing with all kinds of structures whether below or above ground.We cover domestic, commercial, industrial, civil or utilities situations.

Our complete service and consultancy offers advice, design and installation by trained on system technicians.

SWS are used to dealing with structures in challenging and extreme environments and use the latest technologies that will deal with current conditions and adapt to unpredictable changes in climate, water table or pollutants.

Our extensive areas of structural waterproofing and sealing work cover:

• Basements from simple one floor to multi deck designs in prestige domestic settings
  • Green roof design and sealing
  • Effective sealing and waterproofing of joints in concrete
  • Cementitious and other slurry based coatings

• Industrial locations and works
  • Sealing of tanks and bunds
  • Holding pens and areas
  • Chemical containment in holding areas to prevent contamination of water table
  • Polyuria systems for chemical holding tanks

• Utilities
  • Reservoir sealing
  • Sewer and main drainage sealing in urban and rural locations
  • Water channel design and sealing
  • Effective sealing of plant rooms and pumping stations

• Civil works
  • Tunnelling and related sealing
  • Railways
  • Highways
  • Bridges
  • General infrastructure

All design and installation work undertaken by SWS Ltd is carried out to BS8102 by qualified personnel.

All work is guaranteed for both materials and installation failure by a full industry backed insurance scheme. This can be extended to cover sequential loss for commercial situations if required.

Getting professional and correct advice is critical to the successful sealing of a structure. Whatever area of the structural envelope you have responsibility for and whether you are an:

• Architect
• Structural Engineer
• Quantity Surveyor
• Specifier
• Main or Sub Contractor
• General builder
• Civil Engineering Business
• Utilities company
• Home owner

Ge in touch with your requirements.

If you’d like an initial discussion with an expert at Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd; contact us on +44 (0) 845 170 0731 or email your details and initial area of interest:info@swservicesltd.com.

SWS Ltd. Are members of The Basement Waterproofing Association.

What we do:

Here at SWS we take on and manage the whole structural waterproofing envelope for our various clients, whether they be:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Civil Engineering companies
• House builders
• Contactors & Sub-contractors
• Other infrastructure specialist construction businesses
• Utility companies
• Industrial plants

We provide a complete consultancy, advice, design, detailing and installation service and all our work is carried out & completed to BS8102 by expert and fully trained – on materials – technicians

• Type A. Tanked/Membrane Protection
• Type B. Structurally Integral Protection
• Type C. Drained Protection

• Grade 1     Seepage and damp patch tolerable solutions
• Grade 2     Non seepage and vapour tolerable solutions
• Grade 3     Complete dry environment structures such as habitable basements

• Site inspection services
• Remedial and new structure combination system design and solutions
• Bespoke basement solutions for passive or challenging terrains and ground types
• Multi deck basement solution for prestige domestic properties
• Chemical and pollution containment and barrier systems
• Advice and installation and the successful homogenous connecting of:
  • membranes
  • Water-stops and injection systems
  • Cementitious coatings
  • Drainage systems
• Extreme environment solutions
• Radon and other gas barrier systems
• Latest concrete repair systems
• Basement ventilation advice

Expertise you can count on

Our surveyors, Engineers and installation technicians have worked in a variety of situations and challenging environments, and site types over many years. Whether we are sealing a new simple one floor basement in London or working on a critical piece of infrastructure; the same care and attention to detail goes into every project.

• Our CSSW (Certificated Structural Waterproofing Surveyor) will work with your design team and engineers at the inception of the project advising on fit for purpose solutions and the required detailing
• Our surveyor will oversee our involvement and advise on timings and fitting windows to ensure that other trades can get on with their work without damaging what we install
• Our trained on product installation technicians will make sure that everything we have recommended is installed to the highest industry standards

Areas of specialisation and experience in sealing

• Simple and complex multi floored basements in city and rural locations
• Infrastructure projects for the energy and transport sectors
• Industrial sites requiring water and chemical containment
• Utilities: Water, Gas and Electricity
• Highways and tunnelling

We always design and install to BS8102

All our work is carried out to the exacting standards that BS 8102 requires. The standard is there so that you can be sure that all work we carry out is fully compliant with current best practice and regulations.

And all our work is guaranteed

This also means we can provide project specific insurance to cover for failure and remedial work if required. In addition to this andIf required for structures that contain valuable plant, artefacts or business or operationally critical assets;we can also provide consequential loss cover should a building or structure become either unusable or uninhabitable as a result of water or chemical ingress due to installation or system failure.

Technologies for a changing environment and designing for the future

We work with industry leading manufactures to ensure that whatever we or you specify is best in class and will cope with the demands made on it. Many products we use are unique to us and are approved by organisations such as German Railways for up to an 80-yearlife and beyond.

We use:

• Technologies such as membranes and water-stops that will cope with the current environment and can adapt if the climate or local environment changes
• Technologies that will adapt and evolve with the structure
• Technologies that can cope with rising or variable water tables
• Sealing systems that are flexible and resistant to pollution

If you’d like to find out more about the complete SWS Ltd turnkey serviceand how we can fulfil the structural waterproofing needs of your next project – whatever the sizeand structure type– get in touch. Call us on: +44 (0) 845 170 0731

or email your details and initial area of interest: info@swservicesltd.com.

As I’ve mentioned before, correctly recommending and understanding what a client or customer requires takes good research and product knowledge as well as a sixth sense. If there’s a chance that water or moisture can penetrate a structure after protective work has been carried

The chart above demonstrates  that a fluid approach is best – one size does not fit all. Its not so much a question of a belt and braces design as understanding how the structure lives and the variable environment it may well have to work and cope with. Unsurprisingly, there’s never a neat cut off between grades of waterproofing. It will depend on the structure type, the

ground conditions and ultimately; what it is being used for.  The methodology is of course the same, whether its an industrial setting or a luxury basement. Structural waterproofing and protection should be considered like any other construction specialisation and treated as exactly that.

When you waterproof/upgrade an existing structure you may lose wall or floor space, floor areas may become deeper. It may be that certain other construction priorities and consideration need to be dealt with before, after or during the installation of the waterproofing system and its components? The need to avoid damage by other trades during the construction phase should also be a consideration. It may even affect what products are used or chosen because of the uniqueness of the project and the construction site conditions.

Finally of course, if everything has been considered correctly, you’ll have the safety net of both professional indemnity insurance on the recommended waterproofing design and specification and the reassurance of an industry recognised insurance backed guarantee.

If you’ve already got enough on your plate, choosing the right structural waterproofing expert will remove many things you no longer need to consider, apart from; What are we using this structure for? Its the starting point we need, the rest we can recommend, design and install.

Structural Waterproofing Services Ltd is a London-based structural waterproofing specialist that offers a full design and installation service. The company considers that its membership of the Basement Waterproofing Association underpins its professional approach to tanking underground structures.

The SWS Business Development Manager, David Shoolheifer  says, “We work on all kinds of structures and below ground situations from domestic single or multi floored basements through to commercial work in the most demanding of environments. We have a wealth of experience in building new basements and in waterproofing existing cellars. Our spread of work types and experience on a wide variety of projects is invaluable to our customers, whatever the project size, ground conditions or specific cient needs”.

SWS states that it is committed to ensuring all design and build work runs seamlessly and that it complies with BS 8102:2009.

The Middlesex-based Company promotes its Strengths as;

• Having a trained team of engineers, project managers, supervisors and installers with over 30 years experience.
• Having Quality Management Procedures in place
• Providing a highly professional and cost-effective service – that offers real added value
• Having the facility to offer Insurance-backed installations

“We are happy to work directly with Clients, Architects, Builders and Engineers or other specifiers” David continues, “and we pride ourselves on offering the all-important advice at the inception of a new project.  We are driven by our customers reply to one simple question; What is the intended use of the structure, for now and for the future?”.

Services offered by Structural Waterproofing Solutions Ltd. include;

Complete advice, design and implementation of below ground structures:

• Type ATanked/Membrane Protection
• Type BStructurally Integral Protection
• Type CDrained Protection
• Grade 1:Seepage and damp patch tolerable solutions
• Grade 2:Non seepage and vapour tolerable solutions
• Grade 3: Complete dry environment structures such as habitable basements
• Site Inspection service
• Full application and fitting
• Concrete repair services
• Remedial and new structure combination solutions
• Bespoke basement sealing solutions for passive or challenging terrains and ground types
• Chemical and pollution containment

Advice and installation and the successful homogenous connecting of:

• Waterstop membranes
• Waterstops and injection systems
• Cementitious coatings
• Drainage systems
• Extreme environment solutions
• Detailing and drawings

When does 3 become 4 or vice versa? Waterproofing conundrums and how to simplify them

With grades from 1 – 4 for measuring dryness of the waterproofed basement and with grade 3 being described as dry and grade 4 as very dry you may be forgiven for asking what the difference is, and how dry is dry and why you might want to ask?

Apart from the use the basement is being put to – and that’s assume it’s habitable or houses precious, valuable and important things – it comes down to what’s being stored or placed in the area and if its a grade 4; probably the addition of some means of  mechanical ventilation to remove humidity. If the humidity is too high, then the effect can be just as disastrous as incoming seeping damp patches or water – lets not forget; Grade one under the British Standard 8102 allows for small amounts of this; acceptable in an area like a car park.

So going back to Grade 4 and possible humidity being the cause of moisture.Then the following information should be considered.

The reasons for high humidity are numerous, but understanding the reasons and why this can occur should all be considered as part of the design by all concerned. If ignored, you could be left high but not entirely dry!

So whether you are an architect, engineer, surveyor or specifier  looking at a type A, B or C system or a combination thereof; Implementation of the correct type (A, B or C), system and grades (1 to 4) is driven by; the Internal environment required. Successful planning, design and implementation means looking at;

• Ground conditions: Are they highly permeable , variable, or does the ground contain boulders, rocks? These can all be problematic for waterproofing if ignored
• Groundwater conditions including water pressure and chemical content: high groundwater pressure will require a more robust waterproofing scheme and aggressive ground can affect the suitability of the waterproofing methods
• The depth and method of construction of the basement
• Whether the substructure is to be constructed within an existing building or next to it
• What architectural finishes are required or desired? Some methods of waterproofing can affect situations such as fixing to the internal
• face of the wall
• Possible imperfections or reduced space associated with the waterproofing method

Any one of these considerations and points could render a waterproofing method inappropriate for use on the project. Never assume that because a method has worked in one situation it can automatically be applied to another. The prevailing environment is unlikely to be exactly the same just because the use the basement area is being put to is the same as a previous one.

So to get back to and summaries a Grade 4 ( and its difference to a grade 3) basement; Its function is purely driven by the requirements for the internal environment and the need to provide ‘special’ conditions for things like archiving, storage of historical papers, sensitive equipment or items where high humidity can cause irreversible damage etc. A ‘dry’ basement can be achieved by creating a Grade 3 environment. The same basic waterproofing methods and systems may be used for both Grades 3 and 4 with the difference coming from the ventilation/heating system for Grade 4.

So to give a good example; a grade one basic utility level may be perfect for an everyday underground car park, but if you are perhaps storing valuable vintage cars, then grade 4 will be what is required.

At SWS we like to think of the reassurance our thorough approach gives long after we’ve moved on to the next demanding project.

Where is the real water table and a perception of what can cause it to be called potentially variable?

It’s difficult not to talk about a new or existing basement in the same breath without also talking about the local water table. Obviously the word local is key as invariably basements end up in locations which can be entirely unique for many reasons. Soil type, natural drainage, fissures in the ground. These can all combine to fight with the best laid of plans, designs and systems.

But what about the techniques that are often used to backfill a site? Can they also create or have an affect on assumptions about the ubiquitous local water table? The short answer is yes, they can.

A quick look at BS8102 confirms that water will or can often stand well above the true water table which may well be further underground than that of what can be a ‘perched’ temporary or permanent area of standing, ponded water or water that can or will slowly travel down to the actual ground where the true water table is. And that ground – when water gets there – may be also be impervious, particularly if it is clay soil.

As that upper water table travels down or exerts pressure on the actual lower water table or the ground above the real water table, hydrostatic pressure can then increase on the new structure. The potential result? A leak of varying potential severity. Interestingly, current construction methods can be responsible for exasperating this problem.

Not all basements are obviously constructed in the same way, but where loose stone material is used to backfill around the newly constructed basement this can cause issues. That well considered permeable stone can allow the upper level water to sit potentially on or near possibly impervious ground below that backfill.

If a basement suffers water ingress after periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall or run off water presence; the culprit can often be that backfill helping the upper water  to sit on the edge of the true water table. As mentioned, this can create pressure on the new structure by virtue of having non permeable ground below the backfill for the upper water to dissipate through.

Where backfilling with the original ground type is used instead of a new stone material, issues can still occur.

Understanding all aspects of the local ground and soil conditions will mean that there is a much better chance of foreseeing issues before they turn into unwanted remedial costs. With the correct drainage approach and choice of other waterproofing systems – using membranes and seals that can take and are designed for high bar pressure; even heavy impermeable clay soil can be dealt with – with water being shut out.

Working with a structural waterproofing specialist will help you get an overall picture of potential hydrostatic risk and what additional measures should be employed to avoid later problems. There’s always a way to create a watertight basement. Working with someone who has seen it all but treats every project as unique will ensure the required result. The types and grades of basement are one thing, but constructing them to meet the required standard and that work with the local conditions is another.

Why make assumptions when you can get an expert to make considered decisions based on the local evidence?

Many home owners have seen their building and contents premiums rocket or have been denied cover altogether, The UK’s increasingly stormy weather cost insurers more than £1.4 billion for the last winter alone. One in six homes in England, around five million in total, may now be at risk of flood, according to the Environmental Agency. The damage isn’t just restricted to older properties – well constructed new build housing can also become a casualty.

Many home owners have seen their building and contents premiums rocket or have been denied cover altogether, The UK’s increasingly stormy weather cost insurers more than £1.4 billion for the last winter alone. One in six homes in England, around five million in total, may now be at risk of flood, according to the Environmental Agency. The damage isn’t just restricted to older properties – well constructed new build housing can also become a casualty.

MoneySupermarket.com figures show the average flood damage claim during the winter was for £22,339 per home, rising to £36,483 for those in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire who were affected by the floods in December. Households that have claimed for flood damage typically see their premiums rise by more than 200 per cent, adding £372 a year to the cost of cover, while some face excesses on future claims of up to £20,000.

A new Government-backed scheme called Flood Re, which launched recently, should ensure those most at risk can again shop around for affordable cover. Around 350,000 of the worst-hit homes could see their premiums drop by more than a third, with excesses also falling to more reasonable levels under the scheme, the scheme is a world-first, organised by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Flood Re is not a home insurer itself and does not set insurance premiums. Instead, the scheme is making a pool of money available to insurers to cover the extra cost of covering afflicted properties. A string of insurers has already signed up to the scheme, including Admiral, Aviva, Churchill, Direct Line, Halifax, Legal & General, HSBC, LV, Lloyds, More Than, Nationwide, NatWest, Sainsbury’s Bank and RBS.

And at SWS we want to our bit too. All our approved to ‘BS8102 standard’ installations come with fully backed insurance against both product and installation failure. So whether you own or are responsible for new or existing housing construction and remedial work; you can depend on our waterproofing expertise to ensure that any above or below ground structure that needs to stay waterproof is guaranteed to do so. And that guarantee extends to all type of structures whether commercial or domestic – not just new or existing homes.

Take a look at the video from a government minister

www.swservicesltd.com

Waterloo, London Bridge and King’s Cross are among 57 Tube stations that are at risk of being being submerged. Others at risk include; Victoria,

Could we suffer like New York?

The New York subway was swamped by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Simply heavy rain overwhelmed everything and all the accepted preventative measures and in place systems. The report goes on to warn that: “The rapid nature of flooding events often produces high safety consequences.”

With a total of 3.5m passenger journeys a day across the network, a severe flood could be extremely disruptive to the running of the city – as well as potentially fatal for a huge number of commuters caught up in such an incident.

Closer to home and near where I live, they have been pumping out the ground works on a new housing estate for weeks. And over the course of a few weeks you get more rain.

The area is obviously going to be a flood risk  with unpredictable and sudden rain a new and ever present consideration . Planning for the unexpected is surely going to be the new normal? Drainage and waterproofing systems are going to have to cope with known and highly probable sudden increases in run off, ground and standing water.

Designing for the known historical conditions and the foreseeable unknown conditions is going to be the new test and the new normal.

Westminster and Leicester Square.

If you ask us to look at certain areas or packages of your structural waterproofing requirements, we can now provide a supervisory and inspection service that will provide a single point of contact guarantee across all areas of structural waterproofing – whether we’ve installed it or not. This guarantee will cover waterproofing for the entire below ground structure – including non-movement and flexible joints to slabs and wall, pipe and cable entries, lift shafts, day joints etc. With no need to have separate guarantees from groundwork companies and other sub-contractors, our guarantee can cut down hugely on the admin at the start of a contract and importantly; it provides the building or structure’s ultimate owner with a simple way of sorting out any issues at a later date with one single point of contact – No more ‘talk to this company it’s not covered by us’.

For you as the Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor or specifier, it cuts down on your admin workload. Tying guarantees up and establishing liabilities and limits wastes time and creates potential headaches when trying to establish fault and responsibility limits, even before a problem may exist. We live in a risk averse world, but it doesn’t have to be complicated one.

Why not get in touch to discuss how we can help with not only design and installation of the latest waterproofing systems, but also with providing a guarantee that covers all the below ground waterproofing and sealing work. Even when we haven’t installed it.