Graffiti and vandalism are inextricably linked and they are encountered in urban areas all over the world. The problem is that they are not one-sided issues and they need more complex and multifaceted solutions in order to deal with them.
Graffiti on a professional building can be an eyesore (although the creators would argue otherwise), and it is important to have a plan that focuses not just on removing it, but also includes graffiti prevention strategies.
Prevention is the best place to start if you want to get rid of unwanted graffiti on your commercial property or avoid vandalism. Here are our top tips for a solid vandalism and graffiti prevention strategy.
1. Look into approved graffiti
Undecorated surfaces are the most tempting for graffiti artists and vandals – so if your property can pull off the ‘painted look’, then you should approach an experienced, professional graffiti artist or painter to come and decorate your walls. This means that you are getting artwork that you actually approve of and that is visually appealing, as well as taking up any tempting blank space.
2. Avoid light colours
Having a light coloured wall in an urban area is basically presenting a perfect canvas for a graffiti artist to get to work on. Therefore try sticking to darker colours on your exterior walls that can’t easily be painted on. Also, remember to avoid softly textured walls that can be gouged and scratched easily by vandals.
3. Protect your vital structures
While graffiti isn’t exactly threatening to your building’s structure, vandalism can be and some vandals will go out of their way to cause as much damage as they possibly can to your property. Remember to protect your vital structures where possible. For example, you could coat concrete structures in steel to ensure that someone will have to work very hard to damage it. There are also vandal-proof lifts and toughened glass that you can put in particularly vulnerable areas.
4. Think about your pipes
If you can have your pipes laid on the inside of the building, then that would be the best decision. However, if you have to have pipes outside for factors such as drainage, then consider getting cast iron instead of plastic or asbestos. It is much harder to damage cast iron than other materials.
Even if you have a vandalism and graffiti prevention strategy in place, chances are that you may have a problem with either or both at some point. In order to deal with it swiftly, you should have a graffiti removal and vandalism repair plan at the ready. This includes:
- Having easy-to-replace parts that are hardy and of standard sizes, as this makes replacement faster and often cheaper.
- Having an on-site maintenance manual for speedy actions. This should detail who is in charge of graffiti removal and which company your employees should contact for assistance.
- Ensuring that you have funds available for emergency repairs and for the upkeep of a solid and effective prevention plan.
Your paintwork is an investment that needs protecting to ensure the ongoing appearance of your building and reduce future expenses. Learn how to keep your paintwork looking fresh for longer with our handy guide to painting maintenance.
Higgins Coatings is Australia's premier commercial painting contractor with over 70 years of experience in providing cost-effective painting and tailored maintenance solutions to a broad range of industries including hospitals, aged care, schools, and strata. If you need quality painting services delivered on time and within budget, contact us today.
