Damp Proofing Pretoria: treating walls that stay wet, then restoring the plaster and paint. Damp has several causes, and the treatment has to match the cause. Painting over damp without fixing it usually fails within months.
Send photos of the damp wall to get damp proofing quotations.
Get the Best QuoteCommon Causes of Damp
- Rising damp. Ground moisture moving up a wall where the damp-proof course is missing, damaged or bridged.
- Penetrating damp. Rain getting in through cracks, porous walls, parapets or window sills.
- Bridged damp-proof course. Soil, paving or plaster built up above the damp-proof course.
- Leaks. Gutters, downpipes or plumbing soaking a wall.
- Condensation. Moist air in bathrooms and kitchens condensing on cold walls.
Signs of Damp
- A tide mark up to about a metre above the floor.
- Salt deposits, white and powdery, on the plaster.
- Bubbling paint and crumbling plaster.
- Mould and a musty smell.
- Damp patches that grow after rain.
Treatment Matches the Cause
- Rising damp. A chemical damp-proof course injected into the wall, and salt-contaminated plaster replaced.
- Bridging. Lowering soil or paving below the damp-proof course.
- Penetrating damp. Crack repairs, waterproof coatings and fixing sills, parapets or gutters.
- Leaks. Plumbing or gutter repairs first.
- Condensation. Better ventilation, extractor fans and anti-mould paint.
Repair and Reinstatement Steps
- Assess the wall and identify the cause.
- Fix the cause: inject, lower ground levels, repair leaks or seal the wall.
- Hack off salt-damaged plaster.
- Let the wall dry, then replaster with a suitable mix.
- Prime and paint once the new plaster is dry enough for the product.
Damp Proofing Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Damp proof coatings, per m² | R150 - R450 |
| Damp proof injection, per metre | R200 - R400 |
| Damp proof course, per metre | R250 - R400 |
| Interior rising damp treatment, per metre | R750 - R850 |
| Surface damp, treat and repaint, per m² | About R110 |
| Rising damp, DPC, replaster and paint, per m² | About R320 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, taken from rates published by South African painting and waterproofing businesses and cost guides. They are not our prices or quotations, and no contractor is bound by them. Most sources do not say whether VAT or materials are included, so confirm both on every quotation.
Sources:
- Procompare - damp proofing prices
- PaintingPrice.co.za - damp wall repair and painting costs
What Affects the Quotation
- The cause of the damp and the treatment it needs.
- Wall length and height affected, in metres or m².
- How much plaster has to be hacked off and replaced.
- Drying time before repainting.
- Access, such as furniture, built-in cupboards or tiles against the wall.
Pretoria Conditions to Plan For
Older homes in Pretoria may have damp-proof courses that have broken down or been bridged by later paving and garden beds. Penetrating damp shows up after summer storms, while rising damp tends to show all year. Treating damp in the dry season gives walls time to dry before replastering and painting.
Get prices for your job rather than a range. Send one request and compare replies.
Get the Best QuoteDamp Proofing Pretoria FAQs
Can damp-proof paint fix rising damp?
No. Coatings can hold back penetrating damp or condensation, but rising damp needs the moisture path at the base of the wall dealt with.
Why does damp come back after painting?
Usually because the cause was not fixed, or salt-contaminated plaster was left in place. Salts keep drawing moisture into the wall.
How long before a treated wall can be painted?
It depends on the treatment, plaster and weather. Walls can take weeks to dry out. Follow the contractor's and product's guidance.
Is it rising damp or condensation?
Rising damp usually shows as a tide mark from floor level with salts. Condensation shows as mould on cold walls and corners, often in bathrooms. A site assessment confirms it.
Do I need to replaster?
Often yes where plaster is salt-damaged or crumbling. Sound plaster may only need treatment and repainting.
Related Services
Compare damp proofing quotations through House Painters PTA and ask each contractor what they think the cause is.
House Painters PTA is a quote-comparison service. We do not carry out painting or waterproofing work or employ painters. Work is quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your contract is with the contractor you choose. Ask each one for a written quotation that names the products, number of coats, preparation, timing and any warranty terms before you pay a deposit.
Damp Proofing Pretoria. Request damp proofing quotations from independent Pretoria contractors.
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