What to Do If Your Building Is Tagged with Graffiti
Graffiti on the exterior of your building can be unsightly, and it can even scare away customers. If you notice your building has been tagged, you'll want to take immediate steps to correct this issue. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to remove the damage and even prevent future acts of vandalism to your business. Use this guide to help keep your building free from graffiti.
Report the Crime
You'll want to report the crime to local authorities before taking any action to remove the graffiti. If the tagging is gang related, the local police department will likely want to investigate. Take pictures of the damage and file a police report. This will also come in handy if you want to file a claim with your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs.
Hire a Commercial Pressure-Washing Company
Graffiti can be removed with the use of a powerful pressure washer. When you are ready to have the tags removed, contact a commercial pressure-washing company to assess the damage and remove the graffiti from your building. You may even want to have the entire exterior of your building cleaned, as this will remove dirt and grime so all your exterior walls are the same color. Once the cleaning is complete, you can decide whether you want to paint the building to cover up any residual traces of graffiti. Ask a power-washing company like Dixie Steamers about adding an anti-graffiti sealant to the exterior of your building, which repels the spray paint. This makes it harder for vandals to tag your property.
Upgrade Your Security System
To prevent future acts of vandalism, you should consider upgrading your security system. Add motion-detecting lights to the exterior of the building so vandals can't damage your building under the cover of night and install security cameras to the exterior of the building. While cameras won't always prevent vandalism, they can provide valuable footage the police can use to track down the offenders. If your business has a parking lot, you may also want to consider adding a fence around the lot to limit access to your building after hours. The fence can be locked at night and opened when your business opens each morning. You can even install decorative wrought iron fences that complement the look of your building while providing added security.
If you notice graffiti on your building, work quickly to report the crime and to remove the damage from your building. With a few precautions, you can keep your building looking great, and you can even prevent future acts of vandalism.