Gransnet forums

AIBU

Colourful chalk on brick walls

(115 Posts)
Rosieroe Fri 17-Apr-20 21:07:59

I am seeing photos everywhere of people’s houses where they have been busy colouring in the bricks with chalk as a sign of support for the NHS.
Whilst it looks lovely and colourful at the moment am I the only one thinking about how they will have a dreadful time trying to clean it off in the future and will look absolutely awful.

Callistemon Fri 17-Apr-20 21:23:45

Chalk washes off.

I used to let the DGC chalk all over our paths and it always washed off in the rain.

NfkDumpling Fri 17-Apr-20 21:27:59

DGD has no walls to chalk on so drew pictures on the pavement outside instead. It’s not often kids get permission to do graffiti!

Grannynannywanny Fri 17-Apr-20 21:29:36

It’s water soluble and should wash off in a shower of rain. My grandkids draw on the garden slabs and it’s gone by morning if it rains. Vertical walls might need a little help with the garden hose

CherryCezzy Fri 17-Apr-20 21:34:45

We used to draw hopscotch "grids" in chalk on the pavement outside my mother's house when I was a child, it washed off easily.

Rosieroe Fri 17-Apr-20 22:00:53

I remember writing on chalk on our red brick house when I was a child and my mother had an awful time trying to get it cleaned.

tanith Fri 17-Apr-20 22:08:04

Of course it will wash off as soon as it rains.

Chewbacca Fri 17-Apr-20 22:34:42

Someone in our local park has chalked a keep fit course on the pathway! Hopscotch, bunny leaps, jumping from one square to another; its brilliant! So many people, adults and children alike, have done it as they've been out for their daily excercise. Must have taken them ages to chalk it all in as it goes on for quite a long way.

Kittye Fri 17-Apr-20 22:43:36

Did it all the time when I was a child .... first sign of rain it was washed away. I did live in Manchester though ?

Chewbacca Fri 17-Apr-20 22:47:55

Ditto * Kittye*

Grannynannywanny Fri 17-Apr-20 22:59:07

My grandkids effort earlier this week. I enjoyed a video call watching the work in progress

SirChenjin Fri 17-Apr-20 23:36:38

I love seeing children’s chalk drawings, always brings a smile to my face. Mine are too old for them now sadly but they used to spends hours working on them with their friends as I did when I was young. Chalk washes off in the rain, it’ll be gone in the next shower.

bikergran Sat 18-Apr-20 07:21:00

Google street/pavement artists...truly inspiring especially the 3D ones.

bikergran Sat 18-Apr-20 07:21:21

"images" of course

BlueBelle Sat 18-Apr-20 07:39:44

Haven’t seen any our way perhaps I ll have to start a trend oh dear no chalks

Esspee Sat 18-Apr-20 07:46:59

Well, three weeks ago during lockdown the pavement in front of my home was defaced. Despite four showers of rain it is still visible. Please insist your grandchildren only deface property belonging to their own family.
Why should I have to pressure wash my property because of their vandalism.

Teacheranne Sat 18-Apr-20 07:50:17

What did they use Esspee? I'm surprised basic chalk lasted after 4 showers so I assume it was something more like wax crayons. That would annoy me too - I don't have a jet washer!

Craicon Sat 18-Apr-20 09:36:51

@Esspee Get over yourself. If it’s on the public pavement in front of your home, then it’s not YOUR property.

mbody Sat 18-Apr-20 09:40:12

Yes you are being unreasonable

NotSpaghetti Sat 18-Apr-20 09:40:50

Even if it takes a few rain showers, so long as it's actual chalk, it will wash off.
I've never had to scrub at my children's chalk drawings though walls do take much longer than pavements I found. In my experience it doesn't all go at once. Some colours stay longer than others.
If it's a dry spell it will hose off.
I've never had to scrub it

Mollygo Sat 18-Apr-20 09:41:40

There are rainbows in the windows, on the drives and the pavements where we take our walks. It looks really cheerful and keeps the children busy. Wax crayons or felt tips would probably stay on longer, but as long as they’re on the pavement and not on my property I don’t mind.
If it lasts, perhaps we could persuade the council to use coloured materials to repair the pavements so they last longer!

BlackSheep46 Sat 18-Apr-20 09:42:15

Don't be such kill
Joys. There's little enough
Joy around us right now so if kids brighten everyone's life by jollying up pavements hooray !! Stop grizzling and start smiling. Works wonders for you and for everyone around you. Give it a try. Why not make today the day you only make positive remarks .

Nannan2 Sat 18-Apr-20 09:47:45

Rosieroe,mustn't have been just chalk you used then.was it crayons?we always chalked a hopscotch when we were kids,as did mine when they were little.it ALWAYS washes off with rain..i thought everyone knew that.might take 2 or 3 rains on a wall,but will wash off in end..& anyway,if it looks nice now,why would it look 'awful' later?and yes esspee,wax crayons must have been used near yours.but even that will rub off in the end.with rain,or sun will melt wax,and when more folk start to walk over it( eventually) it will rub it off.And why call kids drawings 'defacing' it? You sound very mean- minded.

Juicylucy Sat 18-Apr-20 09:49:37

It’s chalk that’s made to be used outside.Slightest sign of rain or water it will disappear it’s made to dissolve. My granddaughters have done it outside there house on the path the postman plays hopscotch and everyone loves it. Rainbows etc messages to NHS. Please lighten up as it’s bringing lots of lovely smiles and messages to folk across the country.

Xrgran Sat 18-Apr-20 09:51:03

Honestly ?in all of this we are going through there are still people getting upset over some chalk drawings on the road ????