How Does Graffiti Affect The Community?

• How graffiti causes environmental damage
• What is the financial impact of graffiti?
• How graffiti can be bad for businesses
• How graffiti can hurt the community
• How to act when you see graffiti 
• Get in touch

Graffiti is a controversial and divisive issue, with some viewing it as an art form and others as an act of vandalism. There is no denying that graffiti has a significant impact on the neighbourhoods in which it appears. It can alter the aesthetic of a street, impact the economy, and change the community.

If your property has been the victim of a graffiti attack, you can rely on ICE Cleaning's specialists to provide high-quality graffiti removal services. We are a graffiti removal company that specialises in using non-abrasive solutions and state-of-the-art technology to remove all traces of graffiti, whilst keeping the exterior surface intact.

Read on to learn more about how graffiti can impact the community.

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Continue reading to learn how graffiti affects the community.

How graffiti causes environmental damage

Despite the potential positive messages conveyed through graffiti, its environmental impact remains a cause for concern. The use of aerosol sprays in graffiti emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers common organic pollutants. 

Scientific American has noted that these pollutants contribute to ozone levels, further exacerbating environmental issues. Moreover, the cleaning substances used to remove the spray paint are often just as harmful to the environment as graffiti. 

While there is a growing number of eco-friendly products available, many cleaning companies in the UK still rely on the use of harsh, toxic chemicals.

What is the financial impact of graffiti?

Penningtons Manches Cooper reported in 2015 that the estimated cost of graffiti cleaning costs is over £1 billion, with London Underground reporting to spend £12.5 million annually. 

However, the cost of graffiti goes beyond simple removal efforts. In many cases, multiple attempts are required to completely eradicate all traces of paint from affected surfaces, doubling the cost. Additionally, there is the possibility of further damage that may require professional repair if removal is attempted with the incorrect tools.

While it might not be possible to prevent future graffiti attacks, investing in anti-graffiti coatings for your surfaces is a wise investment. The initial cost of anti-graffiti paint will be less costly than the expense of remediation and can protect any surface for several years.

How graffiti can be bad for businesses

The threatening appearance of graffiti could cause serious harm to the reputation of many businesses. Graffiti attacks negatively impact all types of companies, especially those that rely on physical storefronts, such as shops, restaurants, and salons. In addition to being expensive to remove, the presence of graffiti can also discourage customers from visiting. 

The sight of graffiti may suggest neglect to potential customers, creating a negative first impression. Once a business' reputation is damaged, it can be hard to rebuild.

An initial dip in sales could quickly escalate into serious cash flow problems due to the loss of customer support and the cost of graffiti removal. Without prompt intervention, the business might eventually dissolve.

How graffiti can hurt the community

One of the most immediate effects of graffiti is its impact on the aesthetic of a neighbourhood. Illegal graffiti is unsightly and remove the natural beauty of the surrounding environment, creating a feeling of neglect. This can result in a sense of concern among residents and discourage potential visitors from exploring the area.

Moreover, graffiti has negative economic effects on a community. It can lead to a decrease in property values, resulting in a loss of revenue for homeowners and local businesses. The costs associated with graffiti removal are also substantial, decreasing the funding for community youth services.

Graffiti can contribute to a sense of corruption in a community, increasing crime rates and further damaging the area's reputation. It may also be used to spread hateful or discriminatory messages, creating a hostile environment for residents and visitors alike.

How to act when you see graffiti

When you spot graffiti on your home or business, the first thing you should do is contact your local council to report the vandalism. However, when it comes to the party responsible for cleaning costs, it will be down to the individual who owns the business or property. 

Public buildings or monuments will have graffiti removal costs covered by the council, but otherwise, it is up to the victim to pay for professional cleaning services. You can report graffiti and vandalism on the GOV.UK website, or contact your local council.

Get in touch

You can count on ICE Cleaning to provide efficient graffiti removal services. Our non-abrasive solutions effectively remove all traces of graffiti from brick and stone surfaces without damaging the surface, guaranteeing a high-quality result. We also offer an anti-graffiti coating paint service, that is applied after the removal. 

To talk to us about our services and our graffiti removal process, contact our friendly customer support team at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. Our graffiti removal specialists are on-hand across the UK and can be on-site at your earliest convenience to tackle a graffiti attack. We are available 24/7 across the year, including bank holidays.