Damp Proofing Questions Answered

Rising damp is ground moisture that wicks up through porous brickwork when the damp proof course (DPC) is missing, failed, or bridged. It shows as a tide-mark 200mm–1m off the floor, salt deposits along skirtings, and blistered paint.

Rising damp is always low on the wall (never higher than about 1m), leaves powdery white salt deposits, and gets worse in winter. Damp near the ceiling or around windows is usually penetrating damp or condensation.

No. Waterproof paint traps moisture inside the wall and the salts push straight through within one season. The only permanent fix is a chemical damp proof course applied into the brickwork itself.

The liquid cures in 24 hours but the wall needs 4–6 weeks to fully dry out from years of trapped moisture before you replaster and repaint.

Wind-driven rain hitting porous exterior brick, cracked render, failed sealant around windows, blocked gutters, or parapet walls without a proper cap. Water travels sideways through the wall instead of upwards.

Yes. Applied to the exterior face of the wall it makes the brick hydrophobic — rain beads off instead of soaking in. It stays vapour-permeable so the wall can still breathe.

Yes. Our professional service covers flat concrete roofs, balconies, parapet walls, and tiled patios with a 10-year workmanship guarantee.

Wear a P2 mask and gloves. Wipe with a 1:10 bleach solution or fungicidal cleaner — never dry-brush, which releases spores. Then find and fix the underlying moisture source or it will return.

Mould is a symptom of moisture. Unless you treat the cause (rising damp, condensation, or a leak) it will regrow within weeks no matter how many times you clean.

Our mould remediation service is R200 per square metre and includes fungicidal wash, root-kill treatment, a preventative moisture barrier, and air scrubbing with a workmanship guarantee.

Yes. Strip flaking paint and hollow plaster, roller two saturating coats onto the bottom 1m of the wall (wet-on-wet — apply the second coat before the first dries), and let it cure. Most single rooms are a weekend job.

Apply the second coat while the first coat is still wet on the surface. This is critical — it lets the liquid penetrate deeper into the brick instead of forming a surface film.

Roughly: 1L treats 5m², 5L treats 25m², and 25L treats 125m² of single-brick wall applied at the recommended two-coat rate.

For best results yes — rising damp comes through both faces of a single-brick wall. If you can only access one side, treatment still works but drying takes longer.

Organic is odourless and water-based — safer for interior walls, nurseries and food areas. Xtreme is maximum-strength for exterior walls, basements, severe rising damp and parapet walls.

Yes, once dry. We recommend ventilating the room for 4–6 hours after application. Damp Gone Organic is specifically formulated for interior use around families.

No. It's an invisible micro water-repellent — brick, plaster and paint colour stay the same. You can repaint over it once the wall has dried.

Organic: 1L R300, 5L R1,200, 25L R4,500. Xtreme: 1L R450, 5L R1,500, 25L R5,500. All prices include VAT.

R120 per square metre for Organic treatment, R150 per square metre for Xtreme, and R200 per square metre for mould remediation. Professional Inspection first, no obligation.

Yes. Every professional job carries a 10-year workmanship guarantee. If treated damp returns within the guarantee period due to our workmanship, we re-treat at no labour cost.

Nationwide across South Africa via courier. Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 12:00 on weekdays. Free delivery on orders over R500 in Gauteng.

The East Rand and surrounding Gauteng — including Boksburg, Benoni, Kempton Park, Edenvale, Germiston, Alberton, Sandton, Randburg, Centurion and Pretoria East. Contact us to confirm your suburb.

Yes. We book Professional Inspections with no obligation across the East Rand and most of Gauteng. WhatsApp 064 508 6253 to book.