- Damp wall repairs restore plaster and paint after the cause of the damp has been fixed.
- Repairing first and treating the cause later wastes money: the damage comes back.
- Salts left in old plaster keep pulling in moisture, so contaminated plaster usually has to be replaced, not painted.
- Describe the walls once and compare quotes from contractors across Cape Town.
Tell us about the problem and compare quotes from damp wall repairs specialists in Cape Town.
Compare QuotesSigns Your Walls Need Repair
- Bubbling, peeling or powdery paint.
- Plaster that crumbles, sounds hollow or comes away.
- White salt deposits that return after cleaning.
- Stains that stay after the wall has dried.
Before Repairs: What Should Be Confirmed
- The moisture source has been found and fixed.
- How far salts and damp extend into the plaster.
- Whether the wall has dried enough to replaster and paint.
If the cause is not yet known, start with a damp inspection. For low-level damp, see rising damp treatment.
Repair Options and Their Limits
| Option | When it is used | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Patch plastering | Small, localised damage | Patches can show through paint |
| Hack off and replaster with a salt-resistant mix | Salt-contaminated plaster | Wall must dry first |
| Skimming | Sound plaster with a poor surface | Not for damp or salty plaster |
| Breathable or damp-resistant paint | Final finish on repaired walls | Not a cure for active damp |
What the Work May Include
- Removing skirtings and damaged plaster.
- Treating salts and letting the wall dry.
- Replastering with a suitable mix, then skimming if needed.
- Priming and painting once the plaster has cured.
- Refitting skirtings and removing rubble.
Damp Wall Repair Prices in Cape Town
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Interior replastering, per m² | R200 - R250 |
| Exterior replastering, per m² | R180 - R230 |
| Skimming, per m² | R140 - R180 |
| Small plaster patch repairs, per m² | R100 - R165 |
| DPC injection with hack-off and replaster, per linear metre | R450 - R1,600 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Indicative 2026 ranges, rounded, from published South African damp-proofing, waterproofing and plastering price guides (Cape Town and Western Cape guides where available, national and Gauteng guides otherwise), checked October 2026. Per-metre prices are per linear metre of wall unless stated. Some include VAT and some do not, so confirm VAT on every quote. A site assessment and a written quote set the actual price.
What changes the price
- Area of plaster to remove and replace.
- Plaster mix: standard or salt-resistant.
- Drying time and return visits.
- Paint system, skirtings and rubble removal.
Getting Damp Wall Repair Quotes
Say what caused the damp and what has already been fixed. Add photos. Compare quotes through Damp Proofing Cape Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just repaint a damp wall?
Not if it is still damp or full of salts. The paint will fail again.
How long must a wall dry before painting?
It varies with wall thickness and weather. Ask the contractor to confirm the wall is dry enough.
Why does the white powder keep coming back?
Those are salts carried by moisture. They return until the moisture source is fixed and contaminated plaster is replaced.
Is skimming enough for damp walls?
No. Skimming is a thin finish coat and will not hold up on damp or salty plaster.
Related Pages
Damp Proofing Cape Town is a free quote-comparison service. Damp is inspected, quoted and repaired by independent damp proofing contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for a written, itemised quote, what is and is not included, guarantee terms and payment terms before paying anything.
Damp Wall Repairs Cape Town. Describe the walls once and compare damp wall repair quotes.
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