Can Graffiti Cause Permanent Damage To Buildings?

Graffiti has been a controversial topic for many decades. A one-off graffiti attack is unlikely to leave permanent damage on the affected surfaces. Unless, of course, the graffiti is not dealt with promptly.

If left ignored, the presence of graffiti may encourage like-minded criminals to vandalise the same area – particularly if the writing or image is associated with political or social views. After all, graffiti is often used to convey hate crime. For example, if the original vandal wrote an offensive phrase about a high-profile figure or celebrity, other offenders who also dislike the person may be inclined to add their own touch to the display.

A building covered in distasteful graffiti will give off a negative impression. If this building is home to a business, the appearance of graffiti may have a knock-on effect on the entire company.

Potential clients may be put off by the exterior of the building or believe that the company does not care for its brand image. For this reason, you should call out a professional graffiti removal firm immediately.

Not only this, repeat attacks may cause physical damage to brick, stone or concrete surfaces. The spray-paint used contains harsh, toxic chemicals which will eventually erode these types of surfaces, leaving behind dents and brightly-coloured marks.

Damage caused by graffiti removal

Though spray-paint has the potential to leave behind lasting damage, more often than not, failed attempts at graffiti removal are the real culprit.

Graffiti shadows

Taking matters into your own hands may seem like a good idea, however, use of the wrong solutions may actually enhance the appearance of graffiti – particularly on stone walls. Consequently, a dark shadow may appear around the graffiti.

Edging

Another common type of damage is edging. This happens when individuals use products which are too corrosive to tackle the graffiti. If harsh, abrasive chemicals are used, they may roughen the surface of the wall, leaving behind a permanent burn-like stain.

Pressure washing damages

Whilst some pressure washing techniques are effective, if performed by amateurs, the process may trigger further damages. In extreme cases, pressure washing may cause holes in the wall.

Damage may also be caused by unprofessional restoration services. For example, bleed-through from colour shadows, where the new coat of paint reactivates pigments of the underlying graffiti. Or, the new coat of paint may not stick properly, causing the layer to peel.

Book your graffiti removal service today

The sooner the graffiti is removed, the better.

Removing the graffiti immediately will minimise the risk of your building becoming a regular target, meaning you’re less likely to suffer future attacks.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer a comprehensive graffiti removal service to restore your graffiti-damaged building back to its original appearance. We place quality assurance at the heart of everything we do and hold a 100% success rate on all graffiti-related jobs.

To prevent future graffiti attacks, we also offer the option of anti-graffiti paint. Upon request, we can provide and apply an anti-graffiti spray after we’ve removed the existing graffiti, which forms a protective barrier over the affected surfaces. This means that if the vandal strikes again, the graffiti paint will not stick to the wall, and therefore no damage will be caused.

Our graffiti removal service is second to none.

With access to industry-leading technology and years of professional experience, we’ve perfected our graffiti remediation service. We’re available 24/7 and can be on site in just 60 minutes to transform your graffiti-damaged building.

We have access to a range of high-level equipment which allows us to reach even the most difficult areas, plus our technicians are fully qualified to work at heights.

To arrange your graffiti removal service, give us a call today on 0208 066 0360 or email us on enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.