A Guide to Dealing With Graffiti on Brick

Brick walls attacked by vandals might appear to be beyond saving. Indeed, it isn't easy to remove graffiti from any surface.

Few things can be as frustrating as discovering unsightly graffiti on your property. Brick walls attacked by vandals might appear to be beyond saving. Indeed, it isn't easy to remove graffiti from any surface. However, it's nowhere near impossible. Here's how to deal with graffiti on brick and the challenges involved.

Why is it challenging to remove graffiti from brick?

Brick surfaces are generally challenging to clean. The porous surface soaks in anything it comes in contact with, and simply rubbing it won't do the trick. In addition, the mortar joints between the bricks might also be affected by the spray paint, and getting into these small corners requires considerable elbow grease. Graffiti paint is also permanent and notoriously hard to tackle.

The combination of these factors isn't too hopeful. Consequently, brick walls are often painted over to skip the trouble of graffiti removal, but paint is hardly the right solution. Not only does it destroy the brick wall's aesthetics, but the paint can also fade over time, showing the graffiti below.

Two approaches to removing graffiti from brick surfaces are DIY and professional. Here's what to know about both.

The DIY-approach

Simply rubbing the surface won't be enough to penetrate the often porous surface of bricks. The bricks must be soaked with an appropriate solution and rinsed afterward.

Saturate the brick wall with paint thinner or graffiti removal solution and leave it for several minutes. The dwell time will depend on the substance in question and the outdoor temperature. Let the wall soak for a longer time if the weather is cool. Follow the instructions on the solution's packaging; some products need reapplication several times.

Afterward, the wall needs to be pressure washed or scrubbed, but note that this can damage older, more delicate constructions.

Call in the pros

Taking the DIY route can be tedious and unfruitful. You may need to repeat this cleaning process several times, and the graffiti may still leave a residue. Harsh chemicals can also damage the brick wall and lead to discolored patches.

Professionals have commercial-grade tools and experience, so they are better equipped to remove graffiti without a trace. In addition, many also offer environmentally-friendly solutions instead of highly toxic solvents. Therefore, calling a professional graffiti removal company not only makes the ordeal easier for you but will also have a better result.

Restore brick walls to their prior glory

When it comes to removing graffiti from brick, reacting fast is crucial. Don't let the paint soak in but head to the nearest hardware store to grab the necessary supplies or call professionals immediately. Experts can remove the graffiti without a trace, so don't say goodbye to the original charming character of your brick wall just yet.

Pool Tile Cleaning Vegas offers pool tile cleaning, calcium removal, acid washing, pool draining, and media blasting services, in Las Vegas and Henderson. Call us at (702)605-6936.