How to Clean a Muddy Brick Veneer

Brick veneer is a type of paneling that consists of multiple shale or clay bricks pressed together that gives the appearance of conventional bricks and mortar. And like conventional bricks, brick veneer is not immune to dust, dirt and mud collecting on the material. Cleaning mud from brick veneer doesn‘t require any special solutions or tools, nor do you have to solicit a commercial cleaning service. For heavy mud buildup, trisodium phosphate quickly and safely breaks down and removes the debris.

Plastic sheeting
Water hose with sprayer
Latex or work gloves
Safety goggles
Bucket
Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
Nylon bristled brush -- medium stiffness
Nose mask

Instructions

- 1
  Place plastic sheeting on top of any landscaping that is next to or near the brick veneer to keep water and TSP solution off the foliage.
- 2
  Spray the brick veneer thoroughly with water from a hose. Wear latex or work gloves and safety goggles to keep water and mud off your hands and out of your eyes. If the brick veneer is still muddy, proceed to the next step; otherwise, skip to step 6.
- 3
  Fill a bucket with a 1/2 gallon of trisodium phosphate and a 1/2 gallon of water. Stir the mixture with a medium-stiffness nylon bristled brush. A medium-stiffness brush will not scratch the brick veneer. Trisodium phosphate is available at area hardware and home improvement stores and outlets.
- 4
  Apply the TSP solution to any caked-on mud that spraying with water did not remove. Scrub the caked-on mud while you spray it with water.
- 5
  Spray the brick veneer with water after scrubbing the surface to remove the TSP solution and any remaining mud. Continue spraying the brick veneer until it is mud free and clean.
- 6
  Let the brick veneer air dry before removing the plastic sheeting covering the landscaping.

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