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Smart Tips For Small Business Owners

Hello, my name is Derick Henning and if you are interested in running your own small business, you'll discover a lot of information in my blog. My neighbor owns a small business and we often talk about some of the challenges he faces as a business owner. I enjoy talking to my neighbor about his business and I've actually learned a lot of information about being a business owner. I understand that opening a small business is a big step and in this blog you'll learn many tips that can help you get through almost any situation. I'm very proud of my neighbor for taking that first step and opening a business. By writing this blog, I want to help other small business owners succeed.

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Smart Tips For Small Business Owners

3 Tips for Removing Graffiti Safely

by Vernon Ortiz

Although graffiti is considered an art form in some circles, it is a major nuisance for property owners and municipal workers. Not only does graffiti reduce the curb appeal of a residence, but it can also reduce property values, causing property owners to lose out on thousands of dollars when they sell their homes. If you are tired of unsightly tags and want to do something about them, follow these tips to make sure you do not damage your property or get sick from inhaling the chemicals found in some graffiti-cleaning products.

1. Always wear eye protection and a face mask. Some paints are so tough to remove that regular soap and water just won't cut it. As a result, you may need to use a solvent to remove the paint completely. Solvents are products that dissolve paint, grease, and other substances, making it easier to clean those substances off a variety of surfaces. Many solvents contain harsh chemicals that can injure your eyes or irritate your respiratory system, so it is important to wear safety goggles and a face mask when engaging in graffiti removal. For best results, use a mask with a respirator to avoid fumes and vapors.

2. Avoid property damage by testing cleaning products before using them on siding, brick, and other surfaces. When it comes to graffiti removal, you need a cleaning product that is capable of removing spray paint from a variety of surfaces, but you also need to make sure the product will not damage the exterior surface of your home. Before you use a cleaning product, test a small amount of it in an inconspicuous area. For example, if you have vinyl siding, test a small area at the back or side of the house instead of the side that faces the street. Test as close to the ground as possible so that any damage caused by the cleaning product is not right at eye level. If you have trees or shrubs planted around your house, try testing a small section of siding that is normally hidden by branches or leaves. Only if the product does not damage the test area should you continue using it to remove graffiti on other parts of your home.

3. Use caution when cleaning brick, cinder block, and other rough surfaces. It is difficult to remove paint from brick and cinder block, as they have porous surfaces that do not always hold up to pressure washing and other high-powered cleaning methods. To avoid the damage caused by pressure washers, try other cleaning techniques. For brick or cinder block, you can use a wire brush with detergent to see if it removes the paint. If this does not work, you may have to repaint the surface to cover up the graffiti without damaging the exterior surface of your home. If you decide to repaint, apply a sealant to the surface once the paint has dried completely. Sealants prevent water, paint, and other substances from penetrating porous surfaces, so if you have to deal with graffiti again in the future, you may be able to clean the paint from the sealed surface instead of having to paint the entire surface a second time.

It is possible to remove graffiti on your own, but it requires a lot of time and effort. If you would rather spend your weekend relaxing, leave the graffiti removal up to the professionals. Call one of the graffiti-removal services in your area, such as NYC Power Wash, to schedule an appointment.

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