Damp Proofing in South Africa covers finding where moisture enters a building and stopping it, whether it rises from the ground, comes through the wall or forms inside. Send one request and independent local contractors reply with availability and prices.
Say where the damp shows and how high it goes, and get quotes.
Get Waterproofing QuotesTypes of Damp
The fix depends on the type. Many walls have more than one.
- Rising damp. Ground moisture moves up through walls with a failed or bridged damp proof course.
- Penetrating damp. Rain gets in through cracks, parapets, sills, gutters or porous walls.
- Condensation. Moist indoor air settles on cold walls, ceilings and window reveals.
- Plumbing leaks. Burst or weeping pipes, showers and drains wet walls and floors.
Common Signs
- Tide marks. A stain line up to about 1 m above the floor.
- Bubbling paint and plaster. Paint lifts and plaster turns powdery.
- White salts. Fluffy crystals on plaster or brickwork.
- Mould and musty smell. Black spots in corners, cupboards and bathrooms.
- Rotting skirtings. Timber near the floor goes soft or swells.
Treatment Methods
- Chemical DPC injection. For rising damp where the original damp proof course has failed.
- Salt-resistant replastering. Replaces salt-contaminated plaster after injection.
- Exterior wall coatings and crack repair. For rain driving through the wall.
- Ventilation and extraction. For condensation, often with anti-mould treatment.
- Tanking. For walls below ground level that hold back soil.
No single coating fixes every damp problem. Good damp proofing specialists confirm the cause before they price a treatment.
Damp Proofing Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Damp assessment visit | R850 - R3,500 |
| Chemical DPC injection | R350 - R900 per linear metre |
| Injection, hack-off and replaster to about 1 m | R900 - R1,800 per linear metre |
| Exterior wall waterproof coating | R90 - R220 per m² |
| Crack repair | R80 - R200 per metre |
| Anti-mould treatment | R40 - R90 per m² |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Indicative ballpark figures in rand, rounded, including labour unless stated. They are not our prices or quotations, and no contractor is bound by them. Confirm VAT, access costs, the product system and what each quotation includes.
Get prices for your property rather than a range. Send one request and see who replies.
Get Waterproofing QuotesWhat Affects the Quote
- Cause of the damp. Rising, penetrating and condensation damp need different work.
- Length and height affected. Most wall treatments are priced per metre or per m².
- Plaster condition. Salt-damaged plaster must be hacked off and replaced.
- Wall type and thickness. Thick or cavity walls take more drilling and material.
- Finishes. Painting, skirtings and tiling may or may not be included.
How the Work Usually Runs
- Inspection. Moisture readings and a look inside and out to find the cause.
- Written quote. Method, metres or m², products and what is excluded.
- Treatment. Injection, coating, repairs or ventilation as needed.
- Making good. Replastering and painting once walls are dry enough.
Preparation and Disruption
- Clear the walls. Move furniture, cupboards and pictures about 1 m away.
- Dust and noise. Hacking plaster and drilling is loud and dusty.
- Drying time. Walls may need weeks to dry before final paint.
Questions to Ask the Contractor
- What is causing the damp, and how did you test for it?
- Which product and method will you use, and why?
- Is replastering included, and with what plaster?
- What written warranty do you offer, and what does it exclude?
- When can the walls be painted?
Damp Proofing FAQs
How do I know which type of damp I have?
A damp assessment with moisture readings and a salt test usually shows it. The pattern and height of the damp also give clues.
Will painting with a damp-proof paint fix it?
Usually not on its own. It can hide the symptom while the moisture keeps coming in.
How long does damp proofing take?
A few rooms of injection and replastering often take several days. Drying can take weeks after that.
Is condensation damp proofing work?
Not really. Condensation is fixed with ventilation, extraction and heating, not wall injection.
Do waterproofing companies also do damp proofing?
Many do both, but some specialise. Say clearly that it is a damp problem when you request quotes.
Related Services
Request damp quotes through Waterproofing South Africa and compare the diagnosis and method each contractor proposes.
Waterproofing South Africa is a quote and referral service. We do not carry out waterproofing work and we do not employ contractors. Work is quoted and carried out by independent local contractors, and your agreement is with the one you choose. The right system depends on an inspection and the cause of the water ingress. Ask for a written quotation, the product system and the guarantee terms before you pay a deposit.
Damp Proofing. Describe what you need once and get the best quote, fast.
Get Waterproofing QuotesGet the Best Quote, Fast
Keep it brief. Say what is leaking or damp, the type of surface and your suburb. Your enquiry is passed only to contractors suited to the job, and you decide whether to go ahead.
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