Quick answer: There are three main damp types — rising, penetrating and condensation. Each leaves a different visual signature, and each needs a different fix. Painting over damp without addressing the source always fails within a season. The Rhinoluxe Shield Indoor / Shield Exterior system is designed around this diagnostic logic.
The three damp types and how to spot them
| Damp type | Visual signs | Common cause |
|---|---|---|
| Rising damp | Tide-line halfway up wall, salt deposits, paint blistering at floor level | Failed or absent DPC (damp-proof course) |
| Penetrating damp | Wet patches on outside walls after rain, staining near windows, gutters, roof flashings | Cracked render, failed paint film, blocked gutters, damaged flashings |
| Condensation damp | Black mould in corners, behind furniture, on cold north / east walls, near windows | High indoor humidity + poor ventilation + cold walls |
Step 1 — Diagnose accurately
- Look at the pattern: is it horizontal (rising), patchy after rain (penetrating), or in cold-corner clusters (condensation)?
- Check the outside of the wall — is there a clear external source (broken gutter, cracked render, blocked weep hole)?
- Press a piece of foil tape to the wall and leave for 48 hours. Moisture on the room side = condensation. Moisture on the wall side = rising / penetrating.
Step 2 — Fix the source first
- Rising: repair or inject a new DPC. Paint alone cannot fix rising damp.
- Penetrating: clear gutters, repair flashings, repoint mortar joints, re-render cracked external render.
- Condensation: install / use extractor fans, open windows during cooking and showering, keep bedrooms ventilated.
Step 3 — Apply the Rhinoluxe Shield system
Once the source is dealt with and the wall has dried out (allow 2–4 weeks of dry weather for a previously damp wall), apply the appropriate Shield system:
| Location | System |
|---|---|
| Internal walls — bedrooms, lounge, hallway | Mould wash → Shield Indoor ×2 → Premium Pure Acrylic Low Sheen ×2 |
| Internal walls — bathroom, kitchen | Mould wash → Shield Indoor ×2 → Premium Pure Acrylic Semi-Gloss ×2 |
| External walls — exposed to driving rain | Bond and Key → Shield Exterior ×2 |
What not to do
- Don't paint over visibly wet plaster. The film will blister within weeks.
- Don't skip the mould kill step. Mould comes back fast under fresh paint.
- Don't expect a single waterproof topcoat to fix anything. The Shield system is a base coat + finish, not a single product.
- Don't ignore the cause. Re-painting without fixing the source resets the cycle.
Where to buy
Order Rhinoluxe waterproofing paints at rhinoluxe.co.za with national delivery, or visit our paint shops at 143 Blaauwberg Road, Table View, Cape Town or 5a Betschana Road, Sebenza, Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing on bulk orders, call +27 84 985 6141.
