Look at BIA (Brick Industry Association) web site.
Tech Notes are very useful.

You may have problems with dampness, lime mortar, and soft brick.
You can repoint (not repaint) the brick following Tech Notes.
It's not unusual to have underfiered brick used in basement locations.
Check for the standard sources of moisture in the ground around the
building.
I would NOT repaint, since it does not allow bricks to breath and may
encourage flaking. This based on brick basement walls in my 1834 house.
TB