Abstract
External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are widely used constructive solutions which aim at enhancing the building thermal performance. Nevertheless, ETICS can often present anomalies (e.g., stains and microcracks) throughout their service life, and vandalism actions, as in the case of graffiti, are rather common in urban areas. The removal of undesired graffiti is generally carried out through invasive chemical–mechanical methods, which may affect the durability of the ETICS. The adoption of anti-graffiti products can be a feasible protection method; however, no comprehensive studies were already addressed on these substrates. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness, compatibility, and durability of three anti-graffiti products (with permanent, semi-permanent, and sacrificial properties) when applied on different ETICS. The removal of aerosol graffiti paints was carried out with a low-invasive and eco-friendly removal method (i.e., low-pressure steam jet). The water transport properties, as well as color, gloss, and roughness, were evaluated before and after graffiti removal. The durability of the anti-graffiti was also assessed by artificial aging cycles. Results showed that graffiti removal was rather efficient on ETICS with acrylic-based finishing coats and when using (semi) permanent anti-graffiti products (with ΔE*ab < 5, i.e., not macroscopically visible, when comparing cleaned and reference surfaces), although these products can reduce their effectiveness after aging. Conversely, unsatisfactory graffiti cleaning was observed on ETICS with lime-based or silicate-based finishing coats (with ΔE*ab > 5), with considerable alteration also of the water transport properties (reducing water absorption and slowing down the drying kinetic).
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Acknowledgements
Authors acknowledge the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for funding the project WGB_Shield—_Protection of building facades in the revitalization of cities. Triple resistance to water, graffiti and biocolonization in exterior thermal insulation systems (PTDC/ECI-EGC/30681/2017) and for Ph.D. scholarship (2020.05180.BD—J.L. Parracha), and the support of CERIS Research Centre (UIDB/04625/2020). We would also like to acknowledge the companies CIN, Secil, and Weber Saint-Gobain for supplying the ETICS, as well as the companies NanoPhos and Sika for supplying the anti-graffiti products.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design, as well as for the elaboration of the methodology. Material preparation, data collection, formal analysis, and investigation were performed by Bernardo Catita Gil, Giovanni Borsoi, Amélia Dionísio, João Parracha, and Inês Flores-Colen. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Bernardo Catita Gil and Giovanni Borsoi and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. Funding acquisition and resources were managed by Amélia Dionísio, Rosário Veiga, and Inês Flores-Colen. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Gil, B.C., Borsoi, G., Parracha, J.L. et al. Effectiveness and durability of anti-graffiti products applied on ETICS: towards a compatible and sustainable graffiti removal protocol. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 65160–65176 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26889-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26889-3