Regenerating the Generator Building
The Generator Building is a striking red brick and stone building located on Finzels Reach by Bristol’s floating harbour. It originally housed the generator for Bristol’s tram system, now it has now been given a new lease of life as state-of-the-art offices.
Unfortunately while the building was empty, graffiti vandals got to work defacing the walls, facias, soffits and roof lantern with unsightly tags. OneFifty was enlisted to help remove the graffiti.
Expert cleaning, minimum risk
For the OneFifty team cleaning the graffiti off the walls at ground level was a pretty straight forward task, however removing the tags on the soffits and facias of the roof posed numerous challenges.
We have a range cleaning systems each suited to dealing with different types of contaminant and surface substrate. After years of experience in removing graffiti we can recommend and employ the most effective method of cleaning while minimising risk of damage to the surface.
Media blasting, using a very gentle media, was effective for removing the tags from walls at ground level, however this method could not be used for the high level cleaning - reaching and removing the tags at the top of the building required a different approach.
ON THE ROPES
As experts in high level access, with IPAF and IRATA trained operatives, we have a number of options for reaching high up, difficult to reach spaces to give them a thorough clean.
With 20 years in the business, our rope access team has both knowledge and experience of using ropes to work at high level. Our combined expertise made us a go-to solution for this tricky project.
How to treat a tricky substrate
One element of the high level cleaning involved removing graffiti from a lead soffit at the very top of the building. Lead is an extremely reactive material, we needed to get the cleaning method right so as to not trigger a reaction which might discolour the lead.
In addition, one of the tags was done in black paint on very old brickwork and the paint had leached into the brick making it extremely difficult to remove. The tag was located at the very end of the building making it difficult to access. Using pressurised steam at 150 degrees, plus skill and determination, we managed to remove this stubborn tag.
Achieving the best outcome for our client
Despite the challenges associated with access and fragile substrates we were able to complete the graffiti removal safely and efficiently and achieve the best possible outcome. We are proud to have played a small part in the regeneration of this iconic historic building and, importantly, our client was absolutely delighted with the work.
The images below tell the story - so do take a look through. If you require any more information about hi-level graffiti removal contact Max on 0333 234 1445 or email info@onefifty.co.uk