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A roller makes an excellent paint tool for brick. Using a roller can ensure the entire surface area gets painted evenly. If you choose a roller for painting brick, go for a thicker option, at least a half-inch. The key to using a roller while painting brick is making sure paint gets into the various crevices for even coverage.

Yes, it’s a good idea to use paint primer on your brick fireplace before painting it. Brick is highly absorbent, so your first few coats of paint will likely seep into the surface of your fireplace, allowing the natural color of the brick to seep through. To avoid this, you’ll want to use one or two coats of primer, followed by the topcoat. 

No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.

Drilling into brick doesn’t have to be a dangerous project if you prep and approach it with the right tools and techniques, but it does come with risks if it’s not done correctly. It can lead to significant issues, such as damaging the brick or affecting the wall’s structural integrity. Applying too much force can crack or chip the brick, while incorrect placement might compromise its load-bearing strength.