Mould & Damp Inspection in Wellington

What causes mould in Wellington

Rising damp in old lime-built stock, plus thatch. Genuine Cape Dutch and Victorian fabric, built in lime without a damp-proof course, and frequently repaired with modern cement that traps moisture. Thatched buildings add their own path: ridge deterioration and underthatch decay let water in high up, where it is mistaken for rising damp at the wall below.

Working agricultural buildings alongside residential stock, frequently with asbestos roofing on the outbuildings.

How to tell which type you have

Damp at both skirting level and high on the wall in the same room — a combination that usually means two mechanisms, not one.

Rising damp

Reads high at the base of the wall and falls with height. Stops at a consistent level, usually with salt crystals at the tide line.

Penetrating damp

A patch unrelated to floor level that darkens during and after rain and dries between.

Condensation

High surface moisture with a comparatively dry wall behind it. Worst in the coldest corners, behind furniture and around windows — and it occurs in buildings that are not leaking at all.

The pattern is the diagnosis. An inspector takes moisture readings at three heights plus humidity and surface temperature, because each mechanism leaves a different signature — and a thermal camera on its own does not see moisture, only temperature difference.

What it costs to put right in Wellington

Breathable render at the base; re-ridging and underthatch repair above. Treating one and not the other is why these buildings are so often "fixed" twice.

Indicative market ranges for guidance, not quotes. Full mould & damp guide →

Also common in Wellington

• Insurance conditions on thatch cover that lapse without the owner realising

Frequently asked questions

Why does the damp keep coming back in Wellington?

Almost always because the water source was never found. Painting over mould or sealing the inside of a wall removes the evidence and leaves the cause running. In Wellington the usual cause is rising damp in old lime-built stock, plus thatch, and until that is dealt with the stain returns.

How much does a mould inspection cost in Wellington?

Between about R1,800 and R4,500 for a diagnostic inspection with a written report, depending on the size of the property and access. Laboratory sampling, where it is genuinely warranted, adds R900 to R2,500 per sample — but for most homeowners who can already see the mould it adds cost without changing the remedy.

How do I know which type of damp I have?

By the pattern, not the appearance. Damp at both skirting level and high on the wall in the same room — a combination that usually means two mechanisms, not one. An inspector takes moisture readings at floor, mid-wall and ceiling height, plus humidity and surface temperature, because rising, penetrating and condensation damp each produce a different signature.

What will it cost to fix?

Breathable render at the base; re-ridging and underthatch repair above. Treating one and not the other is why these buildings are so often "fixed" twice.

Is the mould in my home dangerous?

Indoor damp and mould are associated with respiratory symptoms, asthma exacerbation and allergic rhinitis, and the risk is higher for children, elderly occupants and anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system. It warrants prompt repair of the water source rather than alarm — and South Africa has no statutory indoor mould exposure limit, so be wary of anyone whose first recommendation is a laboratory test.

Mould inspections nearby

• Mould inspection in Stellenbosch
• Mould inspection in Paarl
• Mould inspection in Franschhoek

Full home inspection in Wellington → · The complete guide to mould & damp →