Greener graffiti removal

Popularised over recent years by artists such as Banksy, street art can add character and colour to otherwise grey and uninspiring surroundings. Graffiti, on the other hand, is generally unwelcome and can be detrimental to the image of any building on which it appears. In fact, graffiti is regarded as criminal damage, under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

In the retail, transport and sales industries, the presence of graffiti has been associated with a wide range of negative side effects, including decreased sales and decreased passenger numbers, as well as a steep decline in property values in the area in which it appears. In schools and public places, the presence of graffiti can convey the message that crime is tolerated, which has a two-fold negative effect. Firstly, members of the community may get the impression that there are more serious crimes taking place which can lower community morale, and secondly, it can encourage more graffiti. Quick and effective removal of graffiti acts as a deterrent, as the offender will not feel as though their time spent has been worthwhile, and may move elsewhere to seek areas where graffiti is tolerated for longer. 

According to the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, the person responsible for the surface is accountable for the cost of getting graffiti removed, meaning that it falls to the owners or managers of the building in question to deal with the problem themselves. If graffiti is left untouched for too long, local authorities can issue a Graffiti Removal Notice, which gives the property owner or manager a timeframe to remove the graffiti or face the risk of prosecution. 

Rentokil Specialist Hygiene now offers an Ecoblasting service, which removes graffiti quickly, professionally and effectively. Ecoblasting uses compressed air to blast an environmentally benign abrasive, such as bicarbonate of soda or recycled glass, on to a surface to remove substrate layers, such as graffiti. 

Key features of Ecoblasting:

• No aggressive or corrosive chemicals

Alternative methods for graffiti removal frequently employ aggressive corrosive chemicals, and excessive amounts of water, whereas Ecoblasting does not and is completely environmentally friendly. For example, Ecoblasting can be carried out in challenging cleaning environments such as by canals or rural areas, posing no contamination risk to any watercourses or wildlife that might be on or near the site.

• Abrasives

Abrasives can be altered depending on the brief. For example, Ecoblasting using bicarbonate of soda can be used to remove paint from glass and rubber without any damage being caused to the surface. While if the graffiti is on concrete then recycled glass can be very quick and efficient.

If the graffiti is near an electricity source then the process can be altered to be completely dry, complying with health and safety regulations. Ecoblasting has the ability to change pressures and abrasives which gives technicians the capability to cater for specific tasks. Unlike other removal methods that use chemicals, Ecoblasting has a higher success rate of completely removing the graffiti as if it had never been there. 

• Applicable to a range of different surface types

Ecoblasting can be used on glass, wood, metal, brick and most stone surfaces (including soft stone, such as limestone, which would be eroded by an acid cleaner). 

A specialist technician will always offer a full assessment of the premises before any Ecoblasting takes place. This survey will ensure that the correct abrasive is used, taking into account the hardness rating and the environmental suitability for a given location. 

If you are unsure of how to clean graffiti, it is best to consult a professional. As with any external contractor, they are trained to understand the latest legislative requirements in their area of expertise, and will be able to recommend the correct process to follow.