Posts Tagged ‘historic’

July & August Social Media Recap

🔹 Basement Waterproofing in Chelsea, London 

We’re proud to share that MacLennan has been appointed to deliver the waterproofing design and installation for a significant new basement development in Durham Place, Chelsea.

This project comes with a unique backstory — the original property was tragically damaged beyond repair following the collapse of a neighbouring building and was subsequently placed under a Dangerous Structures Notice.

Working alongside the highly respected team at Forcia, specialists in complex and high-risk structural work, we ensured the safe demolition of the existing structure and the installation of piling to secure the new basement box.

July Social post 4 Durham place

Following a detailed site inspection, our experienced and qualified surveyor recommended a dual waterproofing strategy in accordance with BS8102:2022 – the British Standard for protecting below-ground structures from water ingress.

🔹 Primary Protection: A cementitious coating applied to the internal surfaces below ground to reduce water penetration.

🔹 Secondary (and most critical) Protection: A Type C Cavity Drain System – a maintainable and therefore guaranteeable solution that forms the backbone of long-term waterproofing performance.

This approach ensures robust protection and peace of mind for the client, aligning with best practices and industry standards.

🔹Waterproofing a Historic London Landmark

We were recently contacted to provide our specialist waterproofing design for a large existing basement beneath the Grade II listed Marlborough Head pub in London, which is undergoing a major renovation.

Our team has now completed the installation of a comprehensive cavity drain system throughout the basement and vaulted areas. 🎥 The video offers a walk-through of the newly installed system, showcasing how this once damp and unusable space is being transformed into a dry, habitable environment, ready for its future purpose.

As more and more existing basements in London are being converted into living or commercial spaces, it’s essential to involve waterproofing experts early in the process. Consulting with professionals from the outset, ideally from RIBA Stage 3, ensures that the design is tailored to the unique challenges of each property.

✅ At MacLennan, we take full responsibility for the waterproofing design, backed by our extensive experience and £10 million PI cover. We don’t just install systems, we take the risk out of waterproofing.

🔹 New Project Introduction: Garland Park with Esquire Developments

We’re excited to be working with new clients, Esquire Developments, on the Garland Park project, transforming the former Benenden Hospital brownfield site into a stunning development of 87 new homes.

Our team recently visited the site to review groundwork progress ahead of our installation phase, ensuring everything is in place for our technicians to begin waterproofing.

August Social media Benenden Hospital

🔹 MacLennan has been appointed to design and install waterproofing systems for 15 high-end basement units within a terrace.
🔹 Our CSSW & WDS qualified design team has specified a dual waterproofing approach, including a cavity drain system, to ensure the solution is repairable, maintainable, and fully compliant with BS8102:2022 for Grade 3 habitable spaces.
🔹 Each basement will be independently guaranteed, offering tailored protection for every property.

We’re proud to deliver robust, future-proof waterproofing solutions backed by our expertise and industry-leading guarantees.

JUNE Social Media Post Roundup

🔹Large Deck Over an Underground Car Park:

🔍 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 & 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Our experienced surveyor recently visited this Bournemouth, mid-1970s purpose-built apartment complex comprising two 7-storey towers with a shared basement car park, to carry out a comprehensive inspection following reports of water ingress.
💧 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱:
Water penetration was observed through the roof slab of the basement car park. The original deck was constructed using asphalt membranes, which are known to degrade under prolonged UV exposure. Over time, thermal expansion and contraction can lead to fatigue and cracking—especially at high-stress areas such as corners, structural junctions, and upstand details.

Ocean heights Deck

🔎 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
It’s important to note that visible leaks on the underside of a concrete slab don’t always indicate the exact point of water entry. Water can migrate through construction joints, and movement joints before becoming visible below.
🏗️ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
The basement structure consists of reinforced concrete downstand beams supporting a 150mm thick slab. The ground-bearing slab includes perimeter edge thickenings and reinforced concrete walls to retain surrounding ground levels. Our inspection also highlighted the need for upstand and concrete repairs in several areas.
We’re now working closely with the client to develop a robust waterproofing solution tailored to the unique challenges of this buried deck system.


 

🔹Semi-Basement Extension, Salisbury: Following our pre-construction waterproofing survey, our technicians are now on site installing a 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗖 𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 to protect the newly built semi-basement extension at this 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗜 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 property in Salisbury.
Although not a full basement, the structure still requires effective protection against water ingress to ensure it remains dry and habitable—fully compliant with 𝗕𝗦 𝟴𝟭𝟬𝟮:𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 standards for below-ground waterproofing.

💧 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 – Gravity-Fed System:
As part of our design, we offered the option of a sump and pump system to manage any potential water ingress. However, the client opted for a gravity-fed drainage solution, which is a passive system that relies on natural fall to direct water away from the structure.

nunton House

This approach involves:
✅ 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀 integrated at the base of the cavity membrane system.
✅ 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗯 designed with sufficient fall to ensure continuous flow.
✅ 𝗔 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲 fitted to prevent any risk of backflow from the external surface water system.

Gravity-fed systems are highly effective where site levels allow, offering a low-maintenance, energy-free solution for managing groundwater ingress.
We’re proud to support projects that combine modern construction with heritage sensitivity—delivering long-term protection and peace of mind.


 

🔹Cambridge House Walkthrough Video

🎥 Take a behind-the-scenes look at our installation work on the prestigious Cambridge House renovation project!

This video captures just a glimpse of the scale and complexity involved in transforming this iconic London landmark into a luxury 5-star hotel. With multiple phases and intricate detailing, it’s a project that demands precision, expertise, and collaboration—and we’re incredibly proud to be part of it.

From heritage preservation to cutting-edge waterproofing solutions, our team has been working closely with contractors and consultants to ensure the highest standards are met at every stage.

Get in touch!

Ready to start a project or require more information about us?
Call us about your project or problem and we will be happy to help.


Call us today on:

0330 3200 240
Or email us here