The Problem
Graffiti can be a contentious issue. While some street art enhances urban areas and attracts tourism, vandalism in the form of tagging and defacement is a serious problem, particularly when it affects heritage sites.
In the UK, graffiti removal costs local authorities millions each year, with London councils spending over £100 million annually on cleaning up vandalism. For heritage buildings, the stakes are even higher – improper removal techniques can cause permanent damage to historic stonework, making professional exterior cleaning expertise essential.
When St Paul’s Cathedral became the target of an extensive graffiti attack, the Clerk of the Works acted swiftly. The first step was to report the incident to the police, who gathered forensic evidence. But the real urgency lay in restoring the building’s iconic façade without causing further damage.
They needed a graffiti removal specialist who could:
- Act fast to remove the offensive graffiti.
- Protect the delicate stonework of the nearly 350-year-old building.
- Ensure no trace remained, preserving the cathedral’s historic grandeur.
The Solution
Rapid Response & Site Assessment
Understanding the urgency of the situation, our team was on-site within two hours of the call. St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK, and with the graffiti highly visible to the public, it was crucial to act immediately.
Upon arrival, we identified a key challenge – there was no direct water supply available at the site. However, thanks to historical foresight, the cathedral had fire hydrants installed after the Great Fire of London, and their modern equivalents provided the solution we needed.
Specialist Graffiti Removal – DOFF Steam Cleaning
Given the age and significance of the building, we selected the DOFF Steam Cleaning system, which is:
- Completely chemical-free – Ideal for heritage stone.
- High-temperature, low-pressure – Reaches 150°C to remove paint without surface damage.
- Trusted for historic restoration – Approved by conservation specialists.
With scaffolding provided by the cathedral, we accessed all affected areas, applying paint removers by hand for stubborn graffiti while ensuring the stonework remained unharmed.
The Result
After completing the cleaning process, the results were flawless. The Cathedral’s exterior was fully restored, without a single mark on the historic stonework.
Our client was thrilled with the outcome:
“Ben and Ollie did a fantastic job, to a point where there is absolutely no sign of the graffiti having been there. Highly recommend this service.“
Following the success of this project, St Paul’s Cathedral has since recommended us to other historic churches and cathedrals, reinforcing our reputation as leaders in heritage graffiti removal. Need professional graffiti removal for a heritage site? Talk to one of our experts.
