Three different problems get called damp, and each has a different fix. Treating the wrong one is why the patch comes back.
Diagnose before you spend. Plumbing leaks are ruled out first via Leak Detection Durban.
Photos of the patch, its height off the floor, and which wall it is on.
Get a Damp Proofing QuoteTelling Them Apart
| Type | How it presents | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Rising damp | A tide mark up to about a metre, with salt deposits. Worst at skirting level. | Injected chemical damp-proof course, then replastering. |
| Penetrating damp | A patch at any height, worse after rain, on an exposed wall. | External sealing, pointing, flashing or gutter repair. |
| Condensation | Black mould in corners, on cold walls and behind furniture. Worse in winter. | Ventilation, extraction and insulation. Not a sealing job. |
| Plumbing leak | Constant, unrelated to weather, sometimes warm. | Leak detection and pipe repair. |
The Durban Pattern
In Durban's humid summers, condensation is diagnosed as rising damp constantly, particularly in older Berea and Glenwood homes and in flats with limited ventilation. If the mould is in ceiling corners and behind wardrobes rather than at skirting level, no amount of injection will fix it.
Damp Proofing Prices in Durban
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Damp survey with moisture readings | R850 – R2,400 | Identifies which type it is. |
| Chemical DPC injection, per metre | R450 – R950 | Rising damp only. |
| Replastering after injection, per m² | R350 – R750 | Salt-resistant render. |
| Internal damp sealing, per m² | R220 – R550 | Tanking and membrane systems. |
| External wall sealing, per m² | R150 – R380 | Penetrating damp. |
| Ventilation or extraction install | R1,800 – R6,500 | The correct fix for condensation. |
| Typical rising damp treatment, one wall | R6,500 – R18,000 | Injection plus replastering. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African leak detection and plumbing pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Any contractor who quotes injection without taking moisture readings first is selling a product rather than diagnosing a problem. Insist on the readings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it is rising damp?
Rising damp stops at a fairly even height, usually under a metre, and leaves a salt tide mark. Damp higher up a wall, or in ceiling corners, is penetrating damp or condensation instead.
Is black mould in corners rising damp?
Almost never. Mould in ceiling corners, on cold external walls and behind furniture is condensation, and the fix is ventilation, extraction and insulation rather than injection or sealing.
Can a plumbing leak look like rising damp?
Yes, and it frequently does. A leak under a slab wicks up a wall in exactly the same pattern. Rule the plumbing out with a meter test and leak detection before paying for a damp-proof course.
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