Natural stone plays an important role in the overall look and finish of a development, particularly on a project where quality has been considered at every stage. However, even newly installed stone can be affected by the demands of an active construction site.
This was the case at Waterhouse Gardens in Manchester, a landmark £195 million, BALI award-winning, mixed-use development delivered by Domis Construction in partnership with Salboy. The scheme comprises five buildings, 556 homes and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space, making it the largest single project in Domis Construction’s history.
The development sits as a statement of intent for modern urban living in Manchester. Architecture, landscaping and public realm design were all executed to an exceptionally high standard, which is precisely why the condition of the stone staircases, as the project approached completion, became a serious concern.
As the development approached completion, attention turned to its prominent natural stone staircases. Months of construction activity had left the newly laid stone affected by visible staining, jointing residue and other construction-related contamination. The finish needed specialist attention to bring it back in line with the high standards of the wider development.
With replacement being considered, stone supplier Tectonix recommended Stone Cleaning Specialist Ltd (SCS), working alongside its dedicated operations partner H2O Restoration Manchester, to assess the stonework and determine what could be achieved through specialist restoration.
The Challenge: Restoring Construction-Stained Natural Stone
The issue at Waterhouse Gardens went beyond surface-level dirt. After months of activity across the construction site, the natural stone staircases had been affected by several different types of contamination, including:
- Dried jointing material residue
- Rust staining from metal contact during construction
- Mineral impurities that had migrated to the surface
- General construction-related contamination
Combined, these issues had left the stonework visibly stained and discoloured, affecting the overall finish of the staircases.
Wrights Landscapes, the landscaping contractor on the scheme – part of the Domis group – faced a difficult question. Could the stone be restored to an acceptable standard? Or was replacement the only option?
With replacement being considered, the priority was to determine whether the existing stone could be safely restored. This meant finding an approach that could effectively treat the different types of contamination while preserving the natural appearance and integrity of the stone.
Our Solution: Finding the Right Restoration Method
Following a detailed on-site assessment led by our director, Nigel Taylor, the H2O Restoration Manchester team identified the different types of contamination and developed a chemical restoration programme specifically for the stone.
Rather than relying on conventional high-pressure cleaning, a specialist chemical restoration programme was developed specifically for the stone type and contamination present, ensuring the surface could be restored without causing damage.
Once restored, an impregnating surface coating was applied to help protect the stone and jointing, reduce future staining and maintenance requirements, and enhance the natural colour and appearance of the material.
The Results
As a result of our tailored approach, the existing stonework was successfully restored to a clean and consistent finish, bringing it back in line with the wider Waterhouse Gardens development.
Members of the senior management teams from Domis Construction, Wrights Landscapes and Salboy visited the completed staircases. They didn’t just inspect – they took out their phones and photographed the work to share with colleagues who weren’t on site. The staircases that had been seriously considered for replacement were, by any measure, restored properly.
As the Manchester sun came out across the finished development, the stonework looked exactly as it should on a scheme of this calibre. Clean, consistent and entirely in keeping with the quality of everything around it.
The outcome highlights an important consideration for developers and contractors. When natural stone becomes stained or contaminated during construction, replacement is not always the only option. Having the stone assessed by a specialist can help determine whether restoration is possible and identify the most appropriate treatment.
It is also great to see that Waterhouse Gardens was recognised with not one but two BALI Awards in 2026, receiving awards in both the Hard Landscaping and Podium Landscape categories.
You can find out more about the BALI National Landscape Awards here: https://www.baliawards.co.uk.
Client Feedback
We are proud to work as dedicated operations partner for Stone Cleaning Specialist (SCS), supporting specialist stone restoration projects and helping deliver a consistent standard of work across our network.
Following the work at Waterhouse Gardens, Grant from Stone Cleaning Specialist shared his feedback on working with our team and, in particular, the Manchester franchise team headed up by James Summerton:
“Our experience of working alongside H2O, and especially the H2O Manchester franchise team headed up by James, has been outstanding. We have been impressed with their professionalism, quality of workmanship and the consistency of results delivered across all projects.”
The partnership between SCS and H2O is built around maintaining consistent standards and delivering high-quality results as the H2O franchise network continues to grow nationally.
As the team at Stone Cleaning Specialist puts it:
“Quality is what binds SCS and H2O together.”
Could Your Stonework Be Restored?
Natural stone can be incredibly durable, but restoring it successfully requires an understanding of both the material and the cause of the staining. Jointing residue, rust, mineral deposits and biological growth can all require different treatments, and using the wrong method can risk damaging the stone.
Getting specialist advice early can make a significant difference. At Waterhouse Gardens, it meant stonework that was being considered for replacement could instead be successfully restored.
From new developments and commercial estates to public spaces and heritage properties, H2O Restoration provides specialist stone cleaning and restoration tailored to the surface, its condition and the requirements of each project.
Get in touch with H2O Restoration today on 01527 337063 or by completing this enquiry form. Or find out more about our commercial cleaning services.