Removing graffiti: do it yourself or hire professionals?
Graffiti on buildings is often annoying and expensive to remove. Comparis explains how to get rid of graffiti and when to hire professionals.
29.10.2024
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1. How do I remove graffiti from my house wall?
There are many factors to consider when removing graffiti. For example, not every surface can be cleaned with the same method. The number of layers and the type of paint are also important considerations.
These methods are available to remove graffiti off walls:
Steam cleaner
Steam is the most environmentally friendly way to get rid of graffiti on a wall. However, you need a steam cleaner that can reach at least 150 degrees Celsius. The high pressure and heat are able to eliminate many forms of graffiti.
However, the steam quickly reaches its limits whenever several layers of paint have been sprayed on top of each other.
Sandblaster
In this method, sand is added to the water. This mixture is sprayed onto the affected area with the high-pressure cleaner.
Sandblasting is probably the most effective method for clearing graffiti. However, it’s also associated with a high risk of damaging sensitive surfaces. You will also need a special pressure washer.
Chemical graffiti remover
You can find a variety of chemical cleaners online. They all promise to remove the paint efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. These graffiti removers cost anywhere from 20 francs to several hundred francs.
How well they work depends largely on the surface, the number of layers and the paint.
Painting over the graffiti
Especially in the case of large areas, it’s advisable to repaint the area. Cleaning would take a lot of time. Make sure that you use a paint with the appropriate properties for the painting work.
Graffiti on rental properties
As a tenant, you should inform the property manager if you discover graffiti on your building. Don’t try to remove the paint yourself.
Comparis tip: Have you decided on a method? Then you should always try it on a small area first. This way, you can see whether the method works and whether it damages the surface.
2. When do I need to hire professionals to remove graffiti?
It often makes sense to have graffiti removed by professionals. Most households are unlikely to have the necessary cleaning products on hand. In addition, hiring professionals helps saves time and hassle.
There are many reasons to hire professionals:
Removing graffiti is very time-consuming. Especially for large areas, the entire cleaning process can take several hours or even days. Painters and professional cleaning companies have the right equipment to remove graffiti as quickly as possible.
There is practically no building surface that is sure to be spared from graffiti. Even at great heights, you can often find graffiti. These are often sprayed in daring climbing actions or using fire extinguishers.
Do not put yourself at risk when trying to remove graffiti. Professional painters have special lifting platforms that ensure their safety at lofty heights.
Some materials may be damaged by incorrect cleaning methods. These include, for example, natural stone, bricks, concrete, wood and certain types of façade cladding.
A specialist knows exactly which method and which cleaning agent are suitable for the respective surface.
Important: façades with a special coating (such as thermal insulation composite systems) require special techniques. They may be sensitive to chemical and mechanical treatment.
Certain graffiti paints penetrate deep into the wall and can hardly be removed with conventional means. Professionals have special means and equipment that easily remove even stubborn paint.
Some insurers require graffiti to be removed by professionals. You may reduce your benefits if you cause new damage during the cleaning process.
The right supplemental insurance
Did you know that compulsory building insurance does not cover damage due to graffiti on your home? You must add this as supplemental cover.
3. Removing graffiti: what are the costs?
Graffiti cleaning costs depend on a variety of factors. This may include:
Area
Age of graffiti
Quality of the surface
Painting used
Time and effort
Because of the many factors involved, providers are reluctant to offer flat rates. Under optimal conditions, cleaning a small area costs between 150–400 francs. For a large area, costs between 600–1,500 francs are quickly incurred. However, these are only indicative figures.
Comparis tip: Does your property regularly fall victim to graffiti? It may be worth applying an anti-graffiti paint. This does not prevent graffiti from sticking to the wall. But cleaning is much faster and more effective.
4. Do I always have to pay for graffiti removal myself?
As a rule, you are best protected against vandalism with supplemental insurance. However, even without this cover, you don’t always have to foot the bill.
If you find graffiti on your private property, the Canton of Basel-Stadt will provide you financial support. However, it is important that you report the damage to the police with a good photo.
After that, you can have the graffiti removed by a painter or a specialized company. Send the Civil Engineering Department (Tiefbauamt) a photo of the cleaned area and your account details.
The Civil Engineering Department (available in German only) will examine the application and reimburse up to 80% of the costs.
You don’t receive any financial support in the city of Zurich. However, special “anti-graffiti subscriptions” are available. Depending on the area of the walls, the cost of a subscription lies between 580–1,070 francs per year. It covers any cleaning that occurs during the course of a year. For more information, please contact the Graffiti Department (available in German only).
In addition, the Homeowners’ Association of the Canton of Zurich has been supporting its members in cleaning graffiti since 2003. This support is provided after a one-time payment of 300 francs.
The City of Solothurn (available in German only) supports homeowners around the old town district by usually covering 10% of the costs. As is also the case in Basel, you must also send a criminal complaint with a photo to the police and the city building department.
Comparis tip: Check with your local commune or canton whether you’ll receive financial support for the costs of clearing graffiti. A short phone call is usually all it takes.
5. How can I find the right painter to remove graffiti from the wall?
The first thing you should consider is whether you want to have the area repainted or whether it should be cleaned. Not all painters have the necessary equipment to remove graffiti.
After that, you only need to agree on the price with the painter. Comparis can help you find the right painter.