Is it spalling? Do you have a picture?

Yes it is a little bit in places.

After a thorough vacuum apply Behr low luster sealer I suggest applying it in an inconspicuous spot or other brick to see the sheen. There will be grit in your paint brush and that's to be expected. good luck

Spalling generally happems outside I would be checking to see if moisture is getting into the brick somehow this is unusual for interior brick.

K.O.H. thanks for your help. I have read about that and will look into trying that.

Patricia I thought spalling just meant chipping. It has chipped in a couple of places but more small pebble like fragments. My house was just built so the bricks are only less than 45 days old. No moisture is getting into them on my fireplace.

The fireplace looks new and the mortar joints are white therefore I assessed it was new work. What your dealing with is typical and we do seal or fireplace upon completion. The grit is sand and materials on the surface of the brick, no big deal except when it scratches the floor. Have fun!

Did not realize it was new KOH is right.

So after doing some research in really nervous about the "look" it will give my bricks. I've read it can make them look "milky", they can be really slick, and also will look wet. I also called behr and the lady I spoke with did not recommend the low lustre sealant because she said it was not used for what I needed it for and they couldn't guarantee it would stop the chipping of the bricks. Help! I don't know what to do. Now my floors are really scratched and I'm not sure how to fix them either. Would a sponge and a little poly work?