How to paint brick

New brickwork with cement mortar should be left to set for a minimum of 28 days before painting.

Check your brickwork for any defects. A build up of white crystal salts on the surface is called efflorescence and needs to be removed before painting. To remove any efflorescence, wipe down the bricks with a 5% solution of white vinegar and water, hose down then allow to dry.

Check the bricks for any water damage. Any leaks, damp rising or excess moisture will need to be addressed before painting.

Ensure the surface is clear of any loose sand or cement. Fill holes with grouting cement.

Wash down with water using a stiff brush to remove all loose material.

Use a good quality masking tape along any edges you don’t want to paint, including trims or windows.

Cut in around the edges of the wall with a brush — these are the areas the roller cannot easily reach. Maintain a wet-edge by cutting in larger areas in sections as you go. This will help to avoid ‘picture framing’ where unblended cut in areas remain obvious after rolling.

Using an 18 nap roller, load the tray with a reasonable amount of paint.

Start rolling the wall in an ‘W’ pattern. Continue over the same section until the wall is evenly covered. Roll up to area of 1m2 size or paint the wall in sections.

Before paint starts to dry, using an unloaded roller, begin in the top left corner of your wall and gently let the roller roll down to the base in a straight line with no pressure. Repeat this action only this time, slightly overlap your last movement so your roller rubs away the line created by the previous stroke. Continue this across the area you have painted. This is called laying off.

Once the first coat is dry, approximately 2 hours in normal conditions, repeat the total process again with a second coat. Bare bricks will require the application of a third coat.