How to Prevent Mud Splatter on 
Your Walls – Don't Mess It Up!

We have tried every method we could think of, including spreading sand over plastic (won't stay in place, and washes around), or putting down hay or pine straw (expensive, and won't stay put). 

How can I prevent rain from splattering mud that stains brick or stone walls? 

One day I thought of using the shingles, and they work great!  During and after the roofing project, save the larger shingle scraps that are to be thrown away. Stack them in a safe place.  This can be outdoors. 

Here's how to prevent mud from splashing onto your walls:  

Lay down a continuous row of shingles directly under the drip line of the roof (a groove forms on the ground where the water runs off the roof). See the photo on the left.  Do this immediately after the brick, stone, or siding is installed.

The shingles do a great job of preventing mud splatters on the finished wall. If you have red or yellow clay like we do in Alabama, you've probably seen how mud will permanently stain a wall.   The muddier the property, the more benefit you get by using the shingles.   Remove them as the landscaping and mulch are installed. 

As long as you keep the shingle scraps clean (no mud washed over the shingles), they are completely effective (no mud splashes onto the wall), they stay where you lay them, don't blow around, and are easy to clean up when you no longer need them.

You may have to reposition a few shingles on the ground occasionally, but it's no big deal. Walk around the house and check them often. In the end, you will be rewarded with clean walls that survived rains without mud stains. 

Shingles can also be used to make walking paths across the lot to the house. One of our biggest and most frustrating tasks is keeping to a minimum the mud that is tracked onto a concrete slab. 

Susan and I wish you the very best with the building of the home of your dreams!

Sincerely,

Vic Hunt 

Go to Managing the Project page, from Mud Splatter page.