Damp proofing that starts at the source
Bubbling paint and musty walls are symptoms. We find the water's entry point, stop it with the right SealPro system, and repair the damage properly.
Damp is the most misdiagnosed problem in older Bloemfontein homes. Paint bubbling at a skirting can be rising damp from a failed or missing damp-proof course — common in the established suburbs where many houses are fifty years and older. The same stain can be penetrating damp from a cracked parapet three metres up, or a leaking slab edge, or condensation in an unventilated corner. Each has a different fix, and painting over any of them guarantees the paint fails again.
BloemGuard treats damp as an investigation first. We trace the moisture to its entry point with meter readings and a methodical look at the building envelope — roof details, parapets, wall cracks, ground levels, plumbing — before recommending a system.
Only then do we specify the repair: a cementitious tanking system where water pushes through masonry, exterior crack and parapet sealing where rain is the source, and proper preparation and repainting once the wall has dried.
The SealPro systems we use
- DampEnd — cementitious waterproofing slurry that blocks moisture migration through masonry and concrete.
- Penetrar — penetrating primer that consolidates friable, damp-damaged surfaces before repair.
- SealPro wall coatings — breathable exterior systems that shed rain while letting residual moisture escape.
How the job runs
- Inspect & quote — moisture readings, source tracing and an honest diagnosis of rising vs penetrating vs condensation damp.
- Prep & repair — remove damaged plaster and coatings, treat salts, repair the entry point itself.
- Seal & reinforce — the specified DampEnd or exterior sealing system applied to manufacturer specification.
- Topcoat & sign-off — redecorated surfaces once dry, walkthrough and documentation.
Common questions
Why does the damp patch keep coming back after repainting?
Because paint treats the symptom. Moisture is still entering the wall — from below, outside or above — and it will lift any coating applied over it. Until the entry point is sealed, repainting is money into a wet wall.
How long must a wall dry before redecorating?
It depends on the wall's thickness and how saturated it is — typically weeks, not days. We measure moisture content before redecorating rather than guessing.
Is damp in a fifty-year-old Bloemfontein house inevitable?
No, but original damp-proof courses in older suburbs like Universitas and Fichardt Park have often reached the end of their life. Modern remedial systems deal with it permanently when installed correctly.