Damp Proofing Services. Cape Town and Western Cape

You can see it on the walls. The paint is peeling, there are white salt marks near the base, or a damp patch that never fully dries. Maybe there's a musty smell you can't get rid of, or the skirting boards are starting to lift. You know it's getting worse, but you're not sure what's causing it or who can actually fix it properly.

Damp doesn't come from one source. Rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation all look similar but need completely different treatments. If the wrong one is applied, the problem comes back. That's why diagnosis has to come first.

Sealtek Cape has accredited damp contractors across the Western Cape who start by identifying what type of damp you're dealing with and where it's coming from. They use Sealtek products manufactured locally for South African conditions, and their work is backed by a 5-year written guarantee covering materials and workmanship.

Damp Proofing Services

Damp problems in South African properties typically come from one of three sources, and many properties have more than one at work simultaneously. Getting the diagnosis right is the difference between a permanent solution and a treatment that fails within months.

Our on-site assessment identifies the type of damp, the entry point, and the extent of damage before any product is recommended.

What Our Damp proofing Services Cover

Rising Damp Treatment

njection and barrier systems that stop moisture migrating upward through walls and foundations by capillary action. Many older South African properties were built without adequate damp-proof courses, making them particularly vulnerable.

Lateral Damp Solutions

Treatment for moisture penetrating horizontally through external walls, foundations, or other structural elements. This includes addressing failed render, deteriorated pointing, and construction defects that allow water through.

Condensation Control

Assessment and management of ventilation and internal moisture levels. Condensation occurs when warm, humid air meets cool surfaces, and it can be just as damaging as rising or penetrating damp.

Pre-Construction Damp Proofing

Preventative barrier installations for new builds or renovation projects, protecting the structure from ground moisture before problems develop.

Damp Detection & Assessment

Professional moisture assessment to identify the source, type, and extent of dampness. Accurate diagnosis is essential because each type of damp requires a different treatment.

Clients include

Every Damp Problem Needs a Different Approach

Different types of damp show up in different ways. Professional assessment confirms the source and determines the right treatment.

Rising Damp

Appears as dampness in the lower sections of internal walls, usually up to about a metre above floor level. You may see white salt deposits on the wall surface (efflorescence), peeling paint, damaged plaster, or lifting skirting boards. It is caused by ground moisture travelling upward through masonry by capillary action. We treat rising damp with injection and barrier systems, including DampEnd, Sealtek’s cementitious waterproof coating designed specifically for damp repair. DampEnd resists both positive and negative hydrostatic pressure and contains no harmful chemicals.

Penetrating Damp

Enters through external walls, roofs, or around windows and doors. It tends to appear as localised damp patches that get worse during or after rain. Failed render, cracked pointing, or defective flashing are common causes. Treatment addresses the specific entry points with appropriate Sealtek barrier and waterproofing products.

Condensation

Shows up as surface moisture on walls and windows, often accompanied by mould growth. It is caused by inadequate ventilation and temperature differences between internal surfaces and the air. Condensation is frequently mistaken for a leak or rising damp. Treatment focuses on ventilation and moisture management rather than barrier coatings.

Let’s Get the Damp Sorted

If your walls are showing signs of damp and previous treatments haven’t lasted, get in touch. We’ll connect you with an accredited contractor who will identify what’s actually causing it and recommend a treatment that addresses the source, not just the surface.

Why Accredited Contractors Matter

Damp proofing fails when the wrong type of damp is diagnosed, the wrong product is applied, or the surface isn’t properly prepared. A rising damp treatment applied to a condensation problem won’t work. A barrier coating applied to a wall that hasn’t been properly cleaned and prepared won’t bond.

Sealtek Accredited Applicators are trained in damp diagnosis, product selection, and professional application techniques. They know how to distinguish between rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation. They know which products and preparation methods suit each type. That training is what backs the 5-year written guarantee.

What you get with Sealtek Cape Services

What to Expect When You Contact Us

Step 1: You get in touch.

Tell us what you’re seeing. The damp patches, the peeling paint, the smell. We’ll connect you with the accredited contractor in your area.

Step 2: On-site assessment.

Your local contractor inspects the property and identifies the type of damp (rising, penetrating, condensation, or a combination), the entry point, and the extent of the problem.

Step 3: Quote and specification.

The quote is based on what the contractor has found. It specifies the treatment approach and the Sealtek products required for your particular situation.

Step 4: Professional treatment.

The accredited contractor carries out the work. The 5-year written guarantee applies from completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes rising damp?

Rising damp occurs when ground moisture travels upward through masonry walls by capillary action. It is most common in older South African properties that were built without adequate damp-proof courses, or where existing damp-proof courses have failed. Signs include dampness in the lower sections of walls (usually up to about a metre above floor level), white salt deposits, peeling paint, and musty odours.

How can I tell if it's damp or condensation?

Rising and penetrating damp tend to affect specific areas of walls, often getting worse after rain. Condensation appears as surface moisture on walls and windows, often with mould growth, and is caused by inadequate ventilation and temperature differences. The treatments are different, which is why professional assessment matters. Our accredited contractors identify the type before recommending treatment.

How long does the guarantee last?

Sealtek Cape provides a 5-year written guarantee covering materials and workmanship when the work is carried out by a Sealtek Accredited Applicator and maintained according to our specifications.

Damp Proofing Services. Cape Town and Western Cape