GRAFFITI REMOVAL & SODA BLASTING

Newport City Homes - Newport, NP20

Client's Challenge

Newport City Homes required a reliable, cost-effective graffiti removal solution across multiple residential estates in Newport. Persistent graffiti vandalism was negatively impacting the visual appearance of properties, resident perception of safety, and compliance with Keep Wales Tidy audit requirements.

The affected properties included a mix of substrates such as brickwork and rendered wall finishes, meaning the removal method needed to be effective without damaging sensitive surfaces or increasing future maintenance costs.

All works were required to be delivered within live residential environments, maintaining public safety and minimising disruption to residents, pedestrians and surrounding community routes.

Assessment & Planning  

APT ICC carried out site inspections across representative areas of the housing estates to assess:

• Substrate types including brickwork and rendered finishes
• Extent, placement and type of graffiti contamination
• The most suitable non-abrasive removal method for each surface
• Public safety considerations in live residential settings

Trial cleaning areas were completed where required to demonstrate effectiveness and confirm surface compatibility. Detailed method statements and risk assessments were produced to ensure safe delivery, audit compliance and budget control for the housing association.

    Methodology

    Step 1: Site set-up and public safety controls
    APT ICC established controlled working areas, ensuring safe access routes were maintained for residents and pedestrians within the live housing environments.

    Step 2: Substrate-specific soda blasting selection
    Based on surface type and contamination level, the appropriate soda blasting method was selected for each area.

    Step 3: Dry-feed soda blasting for sensitive brickwork
    Dry-feed soda blasting was used on brick surfaces where gentle, controlled removal was required to lift graffiti without etching or damaging the masonry.

    Step 4: Water-fed soda blasting for dust-controlled environments
    Where additional dust suppression was required, a water-fed soda blasting system was used to remove graffiti safely while maintaining environmental control.

    Step 5: Final inspection and quality confirmation
    All treated areas were inspected to confirm complete graffiti removal, surface integrity and presentation standard before demobilisation.

    Site Access & Logistics

    Equipment
    • Soda blasting systems (dry-feed and water-fed configurations)
    • Containment and public safety equipment for residential environments

    Chemicals
    • Wipeout Gel

    The Results
    APT ICC successfully removed graffiti across multiple Newport City Homes residential estates without damaging underlying substrates.

    Key outcomes included:

    • Complete removal of graffiti from brick and rendered surfaces
    • No surface etching or damage to property fabric
    • Improved visual appearance across residential areas
    • Positive feedback from residents
    • Successful support of Keep Wales Tidy audit requirements

    The estates were restored to a clean, safe and visually improved condition, supporting both compliance objectives and resident satisfaction.