WHAT IS THE COST OF FIXING SALT DAMP?
We understand that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding the cost of fixing salt damp. And whilst a free inspection and quote is helpful we get that you are researching firstly to determine if it’s within your budget. Or maybe a building inspector has just alerted you to an issue in a house you are considering buying and you need to know what it will cost to fix.
Our aim with this article is to provide you with up-to-date honest and reliable information to help you budget for your project and understand the hidden costs involved.
Please remember that this is a guide only. It is not a quote and prices will vary at your property.
Firstly there a few things to consider:
- Is your problem definitely Salt Damp?
Often the issue relates to another form of damp, condensation, mould or musty smells and so therefore these costs won’t apply. - Will maintenance fix the Salt Damp? Are there other tasks around the home that will fix the issue? For e.g. Could you lower the pavers and expose the existing damp proof course? Or could you improve the issue with increased drainage?
- Will you be removing these walls in the next 1 -3 years
- And lastly how badly affected are the walls? In some rare occasions it may be impossible to inject a wall for structural reasons and it will therefore need to be rebuilt first.
COST OF FIXING SALT DAMP?
Now let’s get down to the reason you are still reading… what is the cost of fixing Salt Damp? Our advice relates to the injection of a waterproof cream barrier to the base of your walls to prevent the rise of moisture and salts.
The cost of injection does vary significantly from property to property and is dependent on things such as:
Thickness of walls
Treatment with cream is done from one side of the wall only regardless of the situation. The price increases as the thickness of the wall increases. A single brick wall is charged a lot less than a double brick / double brick with cavity.
Price Guide:
Single Brick: $70 – $95 per lineal metre
Double Brick/Block: $85 – $105 per lineal metre
Fabric of the walls
There are many types of masonry and each has its own issues. Limestone is more porous and may have greater damage but bluestone is harder to drill into and requires more product.
Price Guide:
Brick: As above
Block: As above
Stone below 450mm thickness: $120 – $150 per lineal metre
Stone above 450mm thickness: $150 – $200 per lineal metre
Damage to the wall
Treatment only stops further moisture and salt from rising into the wall. After the initial treatment follow-up internal and external repairs are required. e.g. removing and replacing damaged plastering, removing and replacing damaged render, replacing missing mortar or badly affected stones. These costs should be considered in your overall budget and you should request a quotation for these at the time of inspection. The amount you pay for these repairs will be determined by the client and is dependant on how far you wish to take the repairs. Some people only wish to repair damaged areas others wish to restore the home fully. Dependent on the damage too some tasks will take a couple of days others will take a few weeks.
Height of the problem
Salt Damp normally does not rise any higher than 1 metre. However, sometimes the issue has been left for a long time and the height of the problem has risen beyond what is considered normal. The repairs of this could therefore cost more.
Number of metres
You may find also the more metres you do the less it will cost. Also a minimum charge to cover setup may apply.
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
As with any building project there are additional costs which may be relevant in your situation and these should therefore by factored in. These can include (but are not limited to). It is important to ask about these at the time of your onsite inspection.
- Removing and replacing power points, data points and telephone points.
- Removal , refitting and/or replacement of skirting boards and tiles
- Temporary relocation of air-conditioning unit
- Painting / flushing joints
- Generator Hire
- Rubble / Waste removal
There is a lot to consider yes. But by using a fully licenced and trusted professional the fear and uncertainty regarding the treatment and repairs should be less. An onsite inspection, fixed price quotation and discussion with professionals should give you all the information you need for your project.