How to Remove Cement Overspray From a Brick Wall

Pouring a cement slab or floor adjacent to a brick or masonry wall sometimes yields a spatter on the wall. Cleaning the brick is a challenge because the cement spatter is the same type of material as the mortar between the bricks. The process requires the use of acid to break down the spattered cement and allow it to be brushed free. The same process is used to remove mortar inadvertently smeared on the exposed surface of the bricks.

Muriatic acid
Nonmetallic bucket
Stiff-bristled brush
Water
Rubber gloves
Safety goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Protect the adjacent surfaces by taping plastic sheeting over any wood or metal. Wood and metal surfaces can be damaged by the acid used in cleaning the brick.
- 2
  Put on safety goggles and rubber gloves. Mix muriatic acid with water in a plastic or rubber bucket. Mix 1 part acid with 19 parts water to yield a 5-percent acid solution. Mix 1 part acid with 9 parts water to yield a 10-percent acid solution. Never use a mixture stronger than 10 percent when cleaning cement or bricks. The acid reacts with the water, so add the acid to the water slowly while stirring with a nonmetallic tool.
- 3
  Spray the cement-overspray area of the brick wall with water. Soak the area thoroughly to fill the pores of the brick with water. This prevents the acid from entering the pores of the brick, where it could cause damage.
- 4
  Brush the cement overspray with a stiff-bristled brush soaked in the acid solution. Brush the areas with the overspray vigorously, monitoring the progress of removing the cement. Work a small section until it is clean before moving on to the next section. Avoid scrubbing the acid into the mortar seams of the bricks. The acid will damage the mortar.
- 5
  Rinse the acid-cleaned brick with water. Hose the area down. This also dilutes the waste cleaning water accumulating at the bottom of the brick wall.

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