Masonry repair Vienna a crack is a symptom, not a diagnosis.
Masonry repair Vienna: from the building contractor that does the work — not from an agent.
Masonry repair Vienna: masonry repair in Vienna costs 65 to 450 euros per square metre. Renovation plaster €85–150/m², crack stitching €85–220/rm, brick replacement €180–450/m². Beforehand, moisture and salt analysis and crack monitoring clarify the cause.
What masonry repair in Vienna costs
Net guide prices, as of 2026, binding after findings and measurement. Prices per square metre refer to the repaired wall area.
| Measure | When it is needed | Net price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renovation plaster inside | salt-contaminated plaster, efflorescence | €85–150/m² | 1–2 weeks |
| Injecting and stitching cracks | Settlement and stress cracks | €120–380/rm | 2–5 days |
| Replacing bricks | destroyed, crumbling stones | €180–450/m² | 1–3 weeks |
| Repointing | washed-out, sandy joints | €65–140/m² | 1–2 weeks |
| Horizontal barrier | rising damp | €180–420/lin. m | 1–2 weeks |
| Masonry injection for consolidation | crumbling masonry, voids | €150–380/m² | 1–3 weeks |
| Plinth repair outside | splash water, frost damage to the plinth | €120–260/m² | 1–2 weeks |
Unit prices
| Item | Unit | Net price | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture and salt analysis | lump sum | 450–1.400 € | Drill dust samples, oven-dry method, salt determination |
| Crack monitoring | lump sum | 350–1.200 € | Plaster tell-tales or measuring plates, several weeks |
| Removing old plaster | m² | 18–35 € | up to 80 cm above the damage line, disposal |
| Raking out joints | m² | 18–38 € | 2 cm deep, blown out |
| Spatterdash coat | m² | 8–15 € | Bonding coat for the renovation plaster |
| Renovation plaster system | m² | 55–95 € | Base coat and top coat, at least 2 cm |
| Crack stitching | lin. m | 85–220 € | Stainless steel anchors, filling mortar |
| Crack injection | lin. m | 60–160 € | Packers, mineral or resin injection material |
| Replacing individual bricks | pcs | 45–120 € | chisel out, reinsert, point |
| Breathable lime paint | m² | 12–25 € | no emulsion paint on renovation plaster |
Total around €8,400 net. If there is also rising damp, a horizontal barrier is needed first – otherwise even the renovation plaster becomes saturated after a few years.
Which damage pattern has which cause
| Damage pattern | Probable cause | What is clarified first |
|---|---|---|
| White efflorescence, sandy plaster | Salts from rising damp | Moisture and salt analysis |
| Damp line evenly up to 1 m high | rising damp | Is there a horizontal barrier? |
| Diagonal cracks above windows and doors | Settlement or load redistribution | Crack monitoring, still moving or settled? |
| Vertical cracks at building corners | Foundation, subsoil | Structural design, foundation investigation |
| Spalling on the outside plinth | Splash water and frost | Plinth detailing, falls, de-icing salt |
| Localised damp patch | Pipe damage or condensation | Pipe location, thermal bridge |
What does masonry repair in Vienna cost?
The price depends on the cause and the method. As a guide:
As of 2026 · net, excl. 20 % VAT · guide prices depending on cause and method. Final price after site visit and moisture analysis, in writing as a fixed price according to ÖNORM B 2110.
the cause first
Damp masonry is a symptom, not a disease. The most common causes:
Rising damp
If the horizontal barrier is missing or defective, water rises capillary from the ground up into the wall. The classic old-building problem in the plinth and ground floor.
Moisture penetrating from the side
With basement walls, water presses through the wall in contact with the ground from outside. The cause is missing or damaged external waterproofing.
Defective pipes
A leaking sewer or water pipe soaks a specific area. Waterproofing does not help here; repairing the pipe does.
Condensation & salts
Incorrect ventilation or building physics errors lead to condensation; salts in the masonry also attract moisture. Both need the right answer.
Masonry repair — in all 23 districts and the surrounding area
We repair masonry throughout Vienna, as well as in Klosterneuburg and the surrounding area of Lower Austria. In Gründerzeit buildings, rising damp is the most common issue.
the methods
- Retrofitted horizontal barrier — against rising damp: a sealant is injected into a row of drill holes and forms a capillary-breaking layer. The proven method in old buildings.
- External waterproofing — for basement walls, the wall is exposed from outside and waterproofing including drainage is applied. The most effective but most laborious solution against pressing water.
- Renovation plaster — a special plaster that absorbs salts and allows the wall to dry. It treats the consequences but never replaces eliminating the cause.
- Crack repair — depending on the cause, cracks are injected or closed with a structural bond. Settlement cracks first require clarifying whether the building is still moving.
- Drying — after waterproofing, saturated masonry is dried technically before it is replastered.
from the findings to the handover
01 Moisture analysis
We measure the saturation, look for the cause and check for salt contamination. Without these findings, any repair is guesswork.
02 Quote
The method suited to the cause as a bill of quantities with a fixed price according to ÖNORM B 2110.
03 Eliminating the cause
Horizontal barrier, external waterproofing or pipe repair — depending on the findings.
04 Drying
The masonry dries out, with technical support, before work continues.
05 Plaster & surface
Renovation plaster and paint finish the wall — only once it is dry.
Why Skyline Bau for your masonry repair in Vienna
We are the building contractor doing the work and repair according to the cause. The decisive point: we do not simply renew the plaster, but eliminate the source of moisture. If a defective sewer is the cause, we coordinate its renewal at the same time — from a single source, instead of sending you from company to company.
- One contractual partner for finding the cause, waterproofing and surface.
- Fixed price according to ÖNORM B 2110, in writing after the moisture analysis.
- Cause-based — we repair the source, not just the symptom.
- Experience with Viennese Gründerzeit masonry.
- €3 million construction liability insurance.
How to recognise a reputable contractor
1. Is the cause investigated?
Anyone who immediately knocks off plaster without clarifying the source of moisture is treating the symptom. It starts with the moisture analysis.
2. Is there a test for salts?
Salts in masonry attract moisture and destroy normal plaster. A salt analysis is part of a reputable diagnosis.
3. Does the method suit the cause?
Rising damp needs a horizontal barrier, pressing water external waterproofing. There is no one method for everything.
4. Is drying planned?
Wet masonry must dry before it is replastered. Anyone who plasters straight away locks the moisture in.
5. Is consequential damage considered?
Moisture can come from a defective sewer. A good provider checks this too, instead of only treating the wall.
6. Warranty named correctly
Statutory 3 years under § 933 ABGB on the workmanship.
Masonry repair in Viennese old buildings
Gründerzeit buildings rarely have a working horizontal barrier — rising damp in the plinth and ground floor is therefore a constant issue. In addition there are salts from decades and thick rubble stone walls that react differently from modern masonry. Anyone working with standard recipes here fails. We adapt the method to the specific masonry and clarify in advance whether the moisture comes from below, from the side or from a pipe.
When you do not need us
For a small, clearly defined mould patch caused by incorrect ventilation, adjusting ventilation habits and a cosmetic repair is often enough. We are the right address when masonry is saturated, the cause is unclear or a permanent repair with waterproofing is needed.
what it includes
Damp masonry is connected with other areas. What belongs to it:
Damp basement walls are the most common masonry repair issue.
Targeted damp-proofing against rising damp with a horizontal barrier.
A defective sewer is a common, hidden source of moisture.
Rising damp is a core issue of every old-building renovation.
After drying, the renovation plaster goes on the wall.
The overview of all renovation services.
what you should know
So that you know exactly what to expect, we answer the most important questions here — honestly and from the practice of a building contractor that does the work itself.
When does masonry need repairing?
Signs include: cracks, crumbling plaster, damp or salt-efflorescent areas, loose stones. Causes can be moisture, settlement or ageing. It is important to clarify the cause before repairing — otherwise the damage returns.
What helps against cracks in masonry?
That depends on the cause: settlement cracks often need structural securing (such as stitching), moisture damage needs damp-proofing, superficial plaster cracks only a plaster repair. We assess the cause of the crack and repair in a targeted way.
Can damp masonry be repaired permanently?
Yes — if the source of moisture is eliminated (horizontal barrier, waterproofing) and the wall can dry out. Then salts and damaged plaster are removed and a breathable renovation plaster is applied. Only the combination of eliminating the cause and repair works permanently.
What does masonry repair cost?
The costs depend on cause, area and method. After a site visit with cause analysis, you receive a binding fixed-price quote.
Wall sawing method: costs
In the wall sawing method, the wall is cut open in sections and a barrier sheet is inserted – the mechanical horizontal barrier against rising damp. It costs €350 to €700 per running metre; injection as an alternative costs €180 to €420/rm. Which method fits is decided by the moisture measurement; more on wall damp-proofing Vienna.
Having a damp wall repaired in the 18th district
In Währing, two causes of damp walls particularly often coincide. Many houses stand on the slope towards Gersthof and Pötzleinsdorf, where rainwater in the ground flows downhill and presses against basement walls in contact with the ground. At the same time, the villas in the cottage quarter and the apartment buildings along the Gürtel side were mostly built before 1920, often without a working horizontal barrier. The masonry then absorbs water from below and from the side.
Anyone who wants to have a damp wall repaired in 1180 Vienna should therefore first know where the water comes from. A moisture and salt analysis with drill dust samples at several heights shows whether the moisture is rising from below, penetrating from the slope at the side or forming as condensation on cold wall surfaces. In the first case a horizontal barrier helps, in the second external waterproofing or drainage, in the third better ventilation and insulation. Often there are two causes at the same time, and then one measure alone achieves little.
For houses in a protection zone, it must also be clarified whether work may be done on the outside plinth and with which material. With villas with gardens, digging is usually possible; with attached apartment buildings, often only the route from inside remains. How the masonry is then dried is described on the page on wall damp-proofing.
Renovation plaster in the 14th district: when it helps and when it does not
In the 14th district, Gründerzeit buildings around Breitensee and Baumgarten stand next to estate houses and villas on the edge of the Vienna Woods. In both cases we encounter a similar picture: white salt efflorescence in the plinth area, peeling paint, crumbling plaster. For such walls in 1140 Vienna, renovation plaster is often recommended, and rightly so, but only on one condition.
Renovation plaster is porous and absorbs salts in its pores without disintegrating at the surface. It buys the masonry years but does not solve any cause of moisture. If water continues to rise from the ground, at some point even the renovation plaster is full of salts and starts to deteriorate. That is why a permanent system first requires eliminating the cause, then removing the old plaster well above the visible damage line and finally applying the renovation plaster in sufficient thickness. It is only painted with breathable paint, such as lime or silicate. Emulsion paint would seal the pores. If the moisture mainly affects the basement, basement renovation is the better starting point.
Frequently asked questions about masonry repair in Vienna
What does masonry repair cost in Vienna?
That depends on the cause and the method: a retrofitted horizontal barrier costs 80 to 200 euros per running metre, renovation plaster 50 to 100 per square metre, external basement waterproofing 150 to 350. Above all: first the moisture analysis, then the reliable price.
Why is my masonry damp?
Damp masonry always has a cause — usually rising damp due to a missing horizontal barrier, water penetrating from the side in basement walls, a defective pipe or condensation. The moisture analysis clarifies which cause applies. Without it, repairs are a shot in the dark.
What is rising damp?
Water that rises capillary from the ground up into the wall because there is no working horizontal barrier. The typical old-building problem in the plinth and ground floor, recognisable by damp walls up to a certain height and salt efflorescence.
What is a horizontal barrier?
A watertight layer in the wall that stops rising damp. If it is missing or defective in an old building, it is retrofitted — usually by injecting a sealant into a row of drill holes. That is the proven method against rising damp.
Can the plaster simply be renewed?
Only renewing the plaster without eliminating the source of moisture is money thrown away — after a short time the new plaster is wet again. First the cause must go, then the wall dries, and only then does the new plaster go on. Everything else is treating the symptoms.
What is renovation plaster?
A special plaster that absorbs salts and lets the wall breathe and dry. It treats the consequences of moisture and salt but never replaces eliminating the cause. Applied to a wall that is still wet, it fails too.
Why are salts in masonry a problem?
Salts from the ground and from decades of use accumulate in damp masonry. They attract additional moisture and burst normal plaster when they crystallise. That is why salt testing is part of the diagnosis and salt-tolerant renovation plaster part of the solution.
How is a damp basement repaired?
With pressing water or water penetrating from the side, external waterproofing is the most effective solution: the wall is exposed from outside, waterproofed and provided with drainage. Where that is not possible, there are internal waterproofing systems. What fits depends on the situation.
What does basement waterproofing cost?
External waterproofing costs around 150 to 350 euros per square metre, because exposing, waterproofing and drainage are laborious. Internal waterproofing can be cheaper but is not equivalent in every case. The price depends heavily on depth and accessibility.
Can moisture come from a defective sewer?
Yes, that is a common, often overlooked cause. A leaking sewer or defective underground pipe releases water into the soil, which is then drawn into the masonry. Waterproofing does not help here; repairing the pipe does. That is why we check this too.
How long does masonry repair take?
Eliminating the cause, such as a horizontal barrier, is done in days, but then the masonry needs time to dry out — often weeks to months, depending on the saturation. Only then does the new plaster go on. This drying time honestly belongs in the schedule.
Does the masonry have to dry before plastering?
Yes, absolutely. If a wall that is still wet is plastered over, the moisture is locked in and the new plaster soon comes off again. After waterproofing, the masonry is dried technically, and only the dry wall is plastered. Patience is part of the quality here.
How do I tell moisture damage from settlement?
What is the difference between injection and external waterproofing?
Injection creates a horizontal barrier against rising damp — from inside, without digging. External waterproofing protects against water penetrating from the side in basement walls and requires exposing from outside. The cause of the moisture decides which method is used.
Can rising damp be treated from inside?
Yes, the injection of a horizontal barrier is done from inside via drill holes, without digging. That is a big advantage in occupied old buildings. Against water pressing from the side, however, work from inside does not help — that needs external waterproofing.
What happens to the mould?
Mould is a consequence of moisture. As long as the wall is wet, it comes back. That is why the source of moisture is eliminated first and the wall is dried; the mould is professionally removed. Only permanent damp-proofing prevents it from returning.
Can the repair be done while the property is occupied?
With a horizontal barrier from inside, usually yes, because there is no digging. External waterproofing with exposing is more laborious but mainly affects the outside area. Dust and drying equipment need to be planned for. We discuss the process in advance.
What is a vertical barrier?
The waterproofing of wall surfaces in contact with the ground against water penetrating from the side — as opposed to the horizontal barrier, which stops rising damp from below. With basement walls, both are often combined to dry the wall from all sides.
Are cracks in masonry dangerous?
That depends. Settlement cracks can be harmless or point to active movement of the building. That is why it is first clarified whether anything is still moving before the crack is closed. Simply filling an active crack only covers up the problem.
How are cracks repaired?
Depending on the cause: dormant cracks are injected or structurally stitched; with moving ones, the cause — such as settlement — must first be clarified and stabilised. If needed, the structural assessment is carried out by a licensed master builder partner.
Does ventilation alone help against damp walls?
With pure condensation from incorrect ventilation, better ventilation can be enough. With rising or penetrating moisture, ventilation does not help — the cause lies in the masonry or the ground. The moisture analysis distinguishes whether it is a ventilation or a construction problem.
What does a moisture analysis cost?
A moisture measurement with clarification of the cause starts at around 250 euros, depending on scope. That is money well invested, because it prevents repairing at the wrong end. Without reliable findings, every repair quote is just guesswork.
Can damp masonry damage the building fabric?
Yes, permanently damp masonry loses strength, salts decompose the mortar, and rot and dry rot threaten the timber of adjacent components. That is why early, cause-based repair is important — the longer the moisture acts, the greater the damage.
Do I get a warranty on the masonry repair?
Yes, the statutory warranty of 3 years under § 933 ABGB on the workmanship. Because we repair according to the cause and let the wall dry before plastering, the moisture is not expected to recur in the first place.
Can I combine masonry repair and basement waterproofing?
Yes, and it often makes sense. If digging is happening outside anyway because of a damp basement, waterproofing, drainage and a defective pipe can be dealt with in the same operation. From a single source, the causes of moisture are remedied together rather than in stages.
What is the most common expensive surprise in masonry repair?
That the moisture has several causes or sits deeper than thought — for example an additional defective sewer behind the rising damp. Because we work with a moisture analysis and a fixed price after a site visit, we uncover this early instead of having to replan in the middle of the repair.
What does masonry repair cost per square metre?
What does it cost to repair a crack?
How can I tell whether a crack is dangerous?
What is crack monitoring?
Does renovation plaster help against rising damp?
Why a moisture and salt analysis?
How high does the old plaster have to be removed?
What paint goes on renovation plaster?
What is stitching?
Can crumbling masonry be consolidated?
Which bricks are used for replacement?
Which mortar in old buildings?
What about the outside plinth?
Masonry repair: can I stay in the apartment during the repair?
Who pays in an apartment building?
Masonry repair: are there subsidies?
Masonry repair: what proof do I get?
Masonry repair: how quickly do I get a quote?
How long does renovation plaster last on a damp wall?
Why are houses on slopes damp more often?
Related services
Wall repaired? Fine dust stays in the room.
Chiselling and plastering work leaves fine dust throughout the apartment. Bling Premium Reinigung takes care of post-construction cleaning. More at bling-bling.at.
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Note: Skyline Bau is the brand name of the construction and renovation division of Bling Bling GmbH and is not a separate legal entity. The sole contractual partner is Bling Bling GmbH. Bling Bling GmbH is a restricted construction trade business under § 99 GewO (Austrian Trade Regulation Act) and not a licensed master builder (Baumeister). Under § 99 (5) GewO, the title “Baumeister” is reserved for businesses licensed under § 94 no. 5 GewO. Regulated trades — master-builder services, structural engineering, gas and sanitary engineering, electrical engineering — are carried out exclusively by authorised, licensed partner companies.