Cracking/peeling paint on brickwork around windows and door

Carry out correct preparation work as well as stabilizing all exposed brick work before Appling new masonry paint.

Sand down area , use filla for any cracks if any stains were coming through I’d use zinsser first then undercoat twice then paint twice again

I would scrape off all loose flaky paints
And apply a stabilser solution before repainting

Use a stiff-bristled brush or a paint scraper to remove all loose, "crazy paving" flakes. You only need to remove the paint that is failing; you can leave sound paint if the edges are feathered (sanded smooth) to prevent a visible lip.
Clean: Wash the area with warm soapy water or a fungicidal wash to remove dirt and mold spores that would prevent the new paint from bonding.

Hi,
remove flakes and sand, paint some Peel Stop, once dry apply filler in affected areas, then paint your weather shield paint

If your wanting a guaranteed result take all existing paint for the complete area off.
Seal with Exterior Wall Sealant coat.
Undercoat and then Weathersheild Paint finish
However,
If the area is not too large remove loose paint and rub down use an external Filler to finish.
Seal
Undercoat
Paint.

Since your Victorian semi has flaking paint on the brickwork around the windows and door, proper preparation is essential before repainting. If you just paint over it, the new paint won’t stick properly and will likely peel again.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Flaking Paint Properly
1. Remove Loose & Flaking Paint (Essential Step!)
? Scrape Off Loose Paint – Use a paint scraper or stiff wire brush to remove all the peeling sections.
? Sand Down Edges – Smooth the remaining paint edges with coarse (80-120 grit) sandpaper to avoid visible ridges.
? Check for Damp Issues – If the paint is failing due to moisture, look for signs of damp or trapped water before repainting.

2. Wash & Prep the Surface
? Wash with Sugar Soap – Removes dust, dirt, and old chalky paint residue.
? Let It Dry Completely – Never paint over damp masonry, especially before winter.

3. Seal the Surface for Better Adhesion
Apply a Masonry Stabiliser (If Needed) – If the surface is powdery, flaky, or very porous, use a stabilising primer like:

Dulux Weathershield Stabilising Primer

Sandtex Stabilising Solution

Zinsser Peel Stop (great for sealing old flaky paint without stripping everything back to bare brick)

Avoid using stabiliser on sound, non-chalky surfaces, as it can make paint adhesion worse!

4. Apply a Durable Exterior Masonry Paint
? Use a breathable, flexible paint that resists cracking and flaking, such as:

Dulux Weathershield Masonry Paint (Good durability & flexibility)

Sandtex Ultra Smooth Masonry Paint (Smooth finish & waterproof)

Zinsser AllCoat Exterior (Water-Based) (Good for tricky surfaces & quick drying)

? Apply Two Coats – Use a masonry brush or roller, letting each coat dry fully.

Can You Use a Thick Paint to Cover Flaking Without Prepping?
No – Even thick masonry paints won’t properly bond to flaking areas. You need to remove loose paint and stabilise it first.

Personally I would sand the whole area and use an external filler pending how deep the imperfections are sand filled areas and prime and then top coat.

It should be scrapped back then sealed or stabilised then coated with masonry or lime wash based masonry so it can breathe

Old paint needs to be scrape off and sand down before repainting.

Both are options but I would see if there was a cause for the issue first ,water ingress ? Other possible reasons subsidence movement. Consider exposing brick work and re rendering before painting.

You need to scrape off the old surface and clean it. There is a way to prevent it from breaking (Polish technique)

To get the brickwork around your windows and front door looking good again, you’ll need to properly prepare the surface. Here’s what I’d recommend:

1. Prepare the Surface: Start by scraping off all the loose, flaky paint. Use a scraper to remove the old paint and any debris. Then, sand the area to smooth out any rough edges and ensure a better bond for the new paint.

2. Clean and Dry: Once you’ve removed the flakes and smoothed the surface, clean the brick thoroughly to remove any dust or dirt.

3. Primer: Apply a masonry primer to the brickwork. This will help seal the surface and provide better adhesion for the topcoat.

4. Weatherproof Paint: After the primer, use a weatherproof masonry paint like a high-quality weather shield paint. These paints are designed to seal and protect brickwork while giving it a smooth finish. You can also find breathable options, which allow moisture to escape from the brick without causing further damage.

Optional Sealer: If you want extra protection from the elements, you can apply a masonry sealer over the paint once it’s dried. This will add another layer of waterproofing.

Taking the time to prep the surface properly and using high-quality weatherproof paint will help protect your brickwork through the winter and keep it looking good.

Unfortunately with exterior flaking paint there is no easy fix. The industry practice tends to be as follows. Scrape or any loose and flaking material; Clean surface if necessary with masonry cleaner; Seal paint edges with 'Zinsser Peel Stop'; Fill any uneven surfaces with exterior masonry filler to create a smooth finish; Prime any exposed non-painted surfaces with a suitable primer, eg. 'Zinsser 1-2-3'; Apply two coats of masonry paint. This will create a long lasting finis.

I would scrap off excess flaking then sand down before I Applied to coats of paint to get a nice smooth finish

Yes, you need scraping and cleaning first, then priming, you can use zinsser pill stop works very well or stabilising solution. (Filling if necessary for cracks, holes, also filing makes smooth surface after sanding), then you can paint using like you mentioned weather shield paint type.

You can buy Granocryl by leyland smooth masonry Paint that very good paint for bricks in my experience , wash the wall before sanding use little of pva in a colour and just paint it.

It should never have been painted in
The first instance.' The bricks are too
Pourous.' Whatever you do? the
Bricks must be stripped of old paint.'
The best option is to leave unpainted
However.' If you wish to repaint check
Above porch to see if pointing is sound and if there is lead flashing it
Is not cracked or dis-lodged.' Then it
Can be painted with a good quality
Stabilising solution, then two coats
Of a high grade masonry paint.'

Yes you need to scrape down existing loose flakes first and after that priming and use a weather resistant paint or an elastomeric coat that will give you a smooth and long-lasting finish

That is what I would do too, prepare the surface and then apply some weather shield painting product, make sure you mistcoat the surface first by using a 60/40 paint/water mix ,and if the weather helps you apply that 2-3 times ,then 2 coats of paint or more if needed ,external painting needs to be solid and durable.

Both are options but I would see if there was a cause for the issue first ,water ingress ? Other possible reasons subsidence movement. Consider exposing brick work and re rendering before painting.