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Why is rapid Graffiti Removal so important?
Graffiti can be work of art on many occasions and landmark locations. When graffiti is desired, it can enhance a boring surface and it can bring artistic thinking to a neighbourhood. Yet, this is only if graffiti is desired and not wildly sprayed on surfaces where this work of expression can be seen as vandalism.
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Graffiti has been a form of artistic expression for centuries, serving as a powerful means of communication and social commentary. However, when it appears on buildings without permission, it transforms from art into vandalism. While some may argue that graffiti enhances urban environments, its presence on buildings can have detrimental consequences. This blog post delves into the importance of removing graffiti promptly from buildings, highlighting its adverse effects on the community, property owners, and the overall aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood.
Preserving the Beauty of the Community
Buildings are the foundation of any community, representing its identity, history, and culture. Graffiti, especially when done without consent, defaces these structures, leaving a lasting impact on the overall aesthetic appeal of the area. As graffiti accumulates and spreads, the community's visual identity is tarnished, contributing to an atmosphere of neglect and decay. By removing graffiti as soon as possible, we can ensure that the true beauty and essence of the community are preserved for generations to come.
Reducing Perceived Crime and Fear
The presence of graffiti on buildings can lead to a sense of insecurity among residents and visitors. Studies have shown that areas with graffiti are often associated with higher crime rates and are perceived as less safe than well-maintained neighborhoods. By removing graffiti promptly, property owners and local authorities send a clear message that they are proactive in maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone. This act can help to dispel the notion that vandalism and criminal activities are tolerated, leading to a more cohesive and harmonious community. If graffiti is left for a longer period of time, more vandalism is invited as it sends the message, we don't care that much about our neighbourhood. By removing graffiti as soon as possible, vandalism will return less frequently as the vandals don't like their work to be removed.
Protecting Property Values
For property owners, graffiti is more than just an eyesore; it can significantly impact property values. Prospective buyers and tenants are more likely to shy away from properties located in areas with visible graffiti, fearing that such neglect could extend to other aspects of the neighborhood. By removing graffiti promptly, property owners safeguard their investments and maintain the value of their properties. It also demonstrates pride in the community, setting a positive example for others to follow.
Fostering a Sense of Ownership and Unity
The act of removing graffiti is not just a responsibility of property owners and local authorities; it can also involve community members. Organizing graffiti removal events or encouraging neighbors to take action fosters a sense of ownership and unity within the community. By working together to combat graffiti, residents become more invested in the well-being of their neighborhood, leading to a more tightly-knit community that actively cares for its surroundings.
Promoting Positive Street Art Initiatives
While unauthorized graffiti is a form of vandalism, it's important to distinguish it from legitimate street art initiatives. Encouraging and supporting legal street art projects can provide a creative outlet for artists while still maintaining the integrity of public and private property. By promptly removing unauthorized graffiti, authorities can more effectively differentiate between vandalism and genuine art, ultimately encouraging the growth of legal and community-approved street art.
Frequently Asked Questions about Graffiti
What is graffiti?
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Graffiti is described in the Graffiti By-law as "one or more letters, symbols or marks, howsoever made, on any structure or thing" that are applied without the prior, written consent of the property owner or renter.
Unauthorized graffiti can reduce the feeling of safety, is linked to urban deterioration, and requires large expenditures from residents and the city to remove.
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Why do people spray-paint?
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Graffiti comes in a variety of formats.
Here are the two most typical:
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Tags: These are most frequently connected to graffiti. Tags are stylised signatures that are frequently created in order to publicize the author's pseudonym and gain recognition. People that write tags are usually not motivated by tagging particular people or property owners; instead, they tag in conspicuous and difficult-to-reach places.
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Publicity - Graffiti also includes unauthorized flyers, stickers, decals, and chalk advertisements since they obstruct views, clutter the environment, and are expensive to remove. For companies to show signage, the City has designated poster cylinders, advertising boards in public areas, and numerous initiatives.
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Is graffiti an indication of gang activity?
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In Canadian cities and towns it is estimated that less than 1% of all graffiti are associated with gangs.
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Why is it so important to remove graffiti as soon as possible?
Graffiti attracts more graffiti. Properties that ignore unauthorized graffiti for long periods of time are desirable locations for people doing graffiti. It will expand to adjacent properties and to the area if not dealt quickly.
Graffiti may still re-occur after several removals. Be persistent and send a message that it is being managed in your area.
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Who is in charge of managing graffiti?
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Graffiti removal of public property, such as city buildings, light poles, signs, and other facilities, is the responsibility of the municipality.
It is the responsibility of businesses like BC Hydro, Telus, Translink, Canada Post, and newspaper publishers to clean up graffiti on their furnishings and utilities.
Graffiti removal is the responsibility of both private property owners and tenants. The City provides assistance with graffiti cleaning through its website.
Residents may get involved by reporting graffiti, attending neighbourhood cleanup events, and even planning the painting of murals on walls that are vandalized regularly.
Being stewards of our neighbourhoods and controlling graffiti are collective duties that fall on all of us.
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I have a wall on my property that has been vandalized. What should I do?
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Contact your local graffiti removal services provider as soon as possible. This way vandals will be less tempted to re-offend and the spray paint would be easier to remove when still fresh.
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How much does graffiti removal cost?
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Removing of graffiti from brick or concrete surfaces takes time, know-how and using proper chemicals to do so. To remove graffiti from a wall, special cleaning solution is used to break down paint and varnish. After the cleaning agent has broken down the paint, pressure washing is usually used to remove remaining paint from surfaces. This process could last anywhere from two hours to one week, depending on the size of vandalism and paint used. A general graffiti removal would cost about $500 and up.
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Can I remove graffiti my self?
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Removing graffiti is not and easy task, anyone who has tried to do so knows how hard it could be to remove spray paint. This task is better to be left to professionals as some paint solvents could damage the surface underneath.
If you still want to remove graffiti by yourself, learn how to remove graffiti properly to avoid complicating or costing more money the task of the expert or firm that removes graffiti. Starting with the necessary tools and viewing instructional videos can help you learn how to do it correctly. Use the same items that professionals use, not the cheapest ones. Even if it could cost a little more, cheapness tends to stand out.
You will need a pressure washer and Graffiti Removal Liquid if there is graffiti on masonry (anything formed of cement, such as bricks or concrete), asphalt, or any surface that resembles these materials.
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Can graffiti be removed from painted surfaces?
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Depending on the original surface's characteristics. If the metal surface has been factory painted, it can generally be erased since the paint is often robust enough to not wear away as rapidly as graffiti paint. You'll probably need to prime and repaint the surface if latex paint was previously applied to it. You will end up mixing the colour of the wall and the graffiti paint since latex paint more supple and dries more quickly than graffiti paint. If this occurs, you may clean it up with a cloth and let it to dry like paint before you begin priming and painting.
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Is it safe for the environment to remove graffiti?
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If you use our products, then yes. Many items on the market were created before environmental standards were recognized as a problem, which is one of the reasons why we founded our business. There are numerous substances that can erase paint, but if you're the one using them, if your dogs frequent the area, or if you don't want to destroy plants in order to get rid of the graffiti, you should definitely do some study on the substance you're using. Our items have a pH of 7, and all of our goods are biodegradable. We take safety and prolonged exposure by professionals very seriously, and we advise you to as well.
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What is the least expensive method of eradicating graffiti?
Remove it right away, just like in the previous question. Ask your local graffiti cleaning firm for an estimate on their program whether they provide a Graffiti Protection Plan. The easiest approach to keep your yearly graffiti removal fees low is to either remove it soon or enroll in a program.
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For more information on how to remove graffiti quickly and efficiently, simply contact Us and one of our friendly staff members will assist you.
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Removing Graffiti can be an easy task, contact Como Maintenance Services for an free estimate today.