Rising Damp Treatment in South Africa stops ground moisture climbing through walls where the damp proof course has failed or been bridged. Send one request and independent local contractors reply with availability and prices.
Say which walls are affected and roughly how many metres, and get quotes.
Get Waterproofing QuotesSigns of Rising Damp
- Tide mark. A stain line up to about 1 m, rarely higher.
- Salts. White crystals and powdery plaster near the floor.
- Lifting paint. Bubbles and flaking along the bottom of walls.
- Damp skirtings. Swollen or rotting timber at floor level.
Damp higher up a wall, or only after rain, usually points to penetrating damp or a leak instead.
Common Causes
- No damp proof course. Common in older houses.
- Failed DPC. The original layer has broken down.
- Bridged DPC. Raised paving, garden beds, plaster or screed run over the DPC line.
- High ground water. Poor drainage keeps the base of walls wet.
Treatment Methods
- Chemical DPC injection. A silicone cream or fluid is injected into a drilled line of holes to form a new barrier.
- Hack-off and replaster. Salt-contaminated plaster is removed to about 1 m and replaced with salt-resistant plaster.
- Removing bridges. Lowering paving or beds and cutting back plaster so the DPC works.
- Improving drainage. Diverting water away from the base of walls.
Injection alone rarely solves it if salty plaster stays on the wall.
Rising Damp Treatment 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 |
| Anti-mould treatment | R40 - R90 per m² |
| Crack repair | R80 - R200 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
- Linear metres. Most rising damp work is priced per metre of wall.
- Wall thickness. Double or thick walls need deeper or extra injection.
- Replaster height. Higher salt damage means more plaster to replace.
- Bridging work. Lowering paving or removing beds adds cost.
- Painting. Final paint is often excluded.
How Treatment Works
- Diagnosis. Moisture and salt readings confirm it is rising damp.
- Strip. Skirtings and damaged plaster are removed.
- Inject. Holes are drilled along the mortar line and injected.
- Replaster. Salt-resistant plaster is applied.
- Dry and paint. Walls dry before a breathable paint goes on.
Preparation and Disruption
- Clear the walls. Move furniture and built-in items away from treated walls.
- Noise and dust. Drilling and hacking plaster is messy work.
- Drying. Allow several weeks before final decoration.
Questions to Ask the Contractor
- How did you confirm this is rising damp?
- Which injection product will you use?
- How high will you replaster, and with what plaster?
- What does the written warranty cover?
- What must I keep clear of the DPC line afterwards?
Rising Damp Treatment FAQs
Is rising damp common in South Africa?
It is common in older homes and where paving or gardens have bridged the DPC. Many damp walls turn out to be another problem, so test first.
Can I just paint over rising damp?
No. Salts and moisture push paint off again and the wall stays wet.
How long before I can paint?
Usually several weeks, depending on the wall, the weather and the plaster used.
Will the damp come back?
It can if the DPC is bridged again, for example by raised paving or soil against the wall.
How many metres will I need?
Usually only the affected walls, but the contractor may extend a little past the visible damp.
Related Services
Get rising damp quotes through Waterproofing South Africa and compare the metres, method and replaster height each contractor includes.
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.
Rising Damp Treatment. 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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