Damp doesn't go away on its own. The longer you wait, the bigger the job. Good waterproofing diagnoses the source first — rising damp, lateral damp, leaking flashing — then fixes it; bad waterproofing paints over a symptom.
What waterproofing covers
- Flat-roof and parapet waterproofing (acrylic, polyurethane, torch-on)
- Balcony and patio waterproofing
- Basement and retaining-wall tanking
- Rising damp treatment (chemical injection, plaster removal)
- Shower-base and wet-room waterproofing before tiling
- Roof valley and box-gutter repair
What waterproofing costs in South Africa (2026)
Flat-roof acrylic waterproofing is R280-R450 per square metre for a 3-coat system; torch-on R450-R750 per square metre with a 5-10 year guarantee. Rising damp treatment R650-R1,400 per linear metre depending on wall thickness and accessibility. Balcony waterproofing R450-R900 per square metre. Always insist on a written guarantee and ask whether the membrane is rated for foot traffic (most aren't).
What to look for
- Diagnosis report before the quote — what's leaking and why.
- Manufacturer-backed guarantee (Sika, abe, Index) — better than installer-only.
- Detail photos of completed work at flashings, parapets, and drains.
- Realistic lead time — needs dry weather to cure properly.
Handi-za waterproofers list the systems they install and show photos of details that often fail (parapet caps, balcony drains, roof valleys). Post your job with a photo of the damp and you'll get focused quotes.