Retaining Wall Waterproofing in South Africa keeps soil moisture from soaking through walls that hold back earth, from garden walls to rooms built into a slope. Send one request and independent local contractors reply with availability and prices.
Say how high the wall is and whether the soil side can be dug out, and get quotes.
Get Waterproofing QuotesCommon Problems
- Wet patches. Damp or seepage on the exposed face.
- White salts. Efflorescence on brick or block.
- Damp inside rooms. Where a house wall also retains soil.
- Bulging or cracking. Water pressure behind a wall without drainage.
Cracking or leaning walls need a structural opinion before waterproofing.
Methods
- Soil-side membrane. Torch-on, bitumen or sheet membrane on the back of the wall, the most reliable option.
- Drainage behind the wall. Stone fill, geofabric and a slotted pipe to carry water away.
- Weep holes. Openings near the base to release trapped water.
- Negative-side systems. Cementitious or crystalline coatings on the exposed face when you cannot dig.
Negative-side work deals with dampness but does not relieve water pressure behind the wall.
Retaining Wall Waterproofing Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Retaining wall membrane | R250 - R650 per m² |
| Drainage behind a wall | R600 - R1,500 per metre |
| Cementitious coating, exposed face | R140 - R300 per m² |
| Damp assessment visit | R850 - R3,500 |
| Hand excavation alongside a wall | R400 - R1,200 per metre |
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
- Access to the soil side. Digging out costs far more than coating the face.
- Wall height and length. Larger walls need more membrane and drainage.
- Drainage. Pipes, stone and outlets add to the price.
- Structural repairs. Cracked or leaning walls need repair first.
How the Work Usually Runs
- Assess. Check the wall, drainage and whether the soil side is accessible.
- Excavate. Dig out behind the wall where possible.
- Waterproof. Prime and apply the membrane with protection board.
- Drain and backfill. Lay drainage and backfill in layers.
Preparation and Disruption
- Garden and paving. Beds, paving and fences behind the wall may be lifted.
- Machinery. Larger walls may need an excavator.
- Weather. Open excavations are best done in dry months.
Questions to Ask the Contractor
- Will you waterproof the soil side or only the exposed face?
- What drainage is included, and where will the water go?
- Is excavation and reinstatement included?
- Do I need an engineer for this wall?
Retaining Wall Waterproofing FAQs
Can a retaining wall be waterproofed without digging?
Yes, with negative-side coatings on the exposed face. It controls damp but is less robust than a soil-side membrane.
Why does drainage matter behind a retaining wall?
Water trapped behind the wall builds pressure and pushes moisture through it.
Is this the same as basement waterproofing?
It is similar. Basement work deals with whole rooms below ground.
When is it best done?
During construction, before backfilling, when the soil side is open.
Related Services
Request retaining wall quotes through Waterproofing South Africa and compare the membrane and drainage 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.
Retaining Wall Waterproofing. 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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