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Condensation vs Rising Damp — How to Tell the Difference in 60 Seconds
Half the 'damp' problems we're called out to are actually condensation. Here's the quick diagnostic that saves you from treating the wrong problem.
4 July 2026 4 min read
Before you spend a cent on damp proofing, make sure you actually have damp. Roughly half the calls we get on the East Rand turn out to be condensation — and condensation needs ventilation, not chemistry.
The 60-second test
- Tape a piece of tinfoil (200×200mm) tightly to the damp patch. Leave 48 hours.
- Moisture on the WALL side of the foil = rising or penetrating damp (moisture coming out of the brick).
- Moisture on the ROOM side of the foil = condensation (moisture in the air landing on a cold surface).
Condensation checklist
- Worst in bedrooms, bathrooms and behind wardrobes.
- Black mould in the corners rather than a horizontal tide-mark.
- Windows streaming with water on cold mornings.
- Gets better when you open windows daily.
If it's condensation, fix the ventilation first — extractor fans, trickle vents, don't dry laundry indoors. If it's actual damp, see our rising damp guide or our penetrating damp guide.
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