While some people see graffiti as a form of expression, others see it as vandalism.
Whether you’re a business owner or a local resident, having graffiti daubed on your property can often leave you reaching for the bucket and soap.
You may be concerned about the damage it can cause to your reputation or community, but should you be worried about the physical damage it could be causing to your building?
This article will discuss the damages that graffiti can cause and how you can properly protect your property.
Will Graffiti Damage Your Property?
The chances of graffiti causing permanent damage to your property depends on how long it is left on brickwork and how often fresh graffiti reappears.
If this graffiti is a one-time occurrence and is removed shortly after it appears, then graffiti damaging your property is unlikely; however, if the graffiti is left on the surface for long durations, you may face removal issues.
Spray paint includes harsh and hazardous chemicals that can harm the structure of your building, particularly if it is left for long periods.
Allowing graffiti to stay on your property not only causes problems down the line when you’re ready to remove it but also sends a message to other graffiti ‘artists’ that your building can be tagged.
Graffiti Can Damage Your Reputation
The unfortunate reality is that graffiti has multiple negative connotations, and as a result, any graffiti on your property will give off the wrong impression to whoever sees it. Whether your building is a home or a business, the appearance of graffiti will create an unfavourable look for local residents and companies.
If you run a business, your curb appeal is essential. Sadly, leaving graffiti on your building will speak volumes about the company’s lack of regard for its image.
Damage From DIY Graffiti Removal
In one of our previous blogs, we looked at whether removing graffiti yourself was a good idea.
Professional graffiti removal will help offer peace of mind to building owners because the knowledge and expertise required to successfully rid surfaces of graffiti tags can help save time and money in the long run.
Trying to remove graffiti yourself could unwittingly lead to more damage. Here are a few examples of how that can happen.
Etching
Etching is a frequent side effect of a non-professional attempt to remove graffiti.
A chemical that is too corrosive or harsh can roughen the wall’s surface, leaving a permanent scar. Applying abrasive chemicals to exterior walls may have irreversible consequences and be hazardous to the person using the solution if not done correctly.
Graffiti Shadows
Taking matters into your own hands might appear a good idea (we all like to save money!), but doing it yourself will most likely make things worse.
For example, using the incorrect solution may make graffiti look more apparent, particularly on stone walls, leaving a dark shadow in its wake or surrounding the graffiti.
Pressure Washing
While professionals can use pressure washers to remove graffiti, a pressure washer in the wrong hands may do more harm than good.
Pressure washing might dent, cut, or erase the original paint on your exteriors and can also cause the graffiti to bleed and stain other surfaces, resulting in additional damage to your property.
Graffiti Damage: A Summary
Whether you’re a home or business owner, graffiti’s damage to your building and your professional reputation can be long-lasting.
The key is to remove graffiti as soon as possible. The longer the paint is left on surfaces, the more physical damage it can do.
And while you should be quick to remove it, the temptation to scrub off the graffiti yourself can be significant. If you know what you are doing, this should be fine (read more tips about graffiti removal).
However, you could risk causing even more damage to your property.
Contact us today if you are having graffiti problems and want to learn more about Vinci Response’s professional graffiti removal service.
You can organize a professional graffiti cleanup with Vinci Response by calling us at 03335 772 996 or by emailing us at [email protected].
