When’s the last time you checked on the masonry above your front door, living room window, garage door, or other home openings? If you can’t recall, it might be time to take a look. And if these areas are showing any signs of decay, deterioration, or sagging, you may be in need of professional lintel repairs.
What Is a Lintel?
A lintel is a beam installed above your doors and windows which works to transfer some of the weight above them to the surrounding walls.
Why Are Lintels Necessary?
Because of the opening underneath, the masonry above your doors and windows is especially prone to sag and break down and needs some extra support. Lintels are necessary to bridge the opening and help redistribute the weight, minimizing pressure and reducing the risk of damage significantly.
What Causes Lintel Damage?
What causes lintel damage in the first place? And what can be done to prevent it?
- Water Invasion: If your masonry isn’t waterproofed or set up to deflect excess exposure to moisture, it’s bound to absorb water and experience damage. Having these areas waterproofed will go a long way.
- Poor Installation: The wall, window, or lintel could have been built wrong to begin with, or maybe the surrounding preventive measures (like flashing, etc.) weren’t appropriately installed. A poor initial setup can be a big cause for lots of damage.
- Natural Wear & Tear: Unfortunately, natural wear and tear is bound to happen, and there isn’t always much to do about it. The best thing to do here is get a professional in to handle necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
Are Your Surrounding Walls Broken Down Too?
Oftentimes, if your lintels are breaking down, your surrounding walls aren’t going to be in great shape either. If this is the case for you, we can help with wall repair services. Count on us to tackle it all, so that you’re left with a stable, sturdy, great-looking home and chimney at the end of it all.
Talk With Our Experts Today
As noted above, poor initial installation often plays a big role in a lintel’s eventual breakdown, so trusting a qualified tech with proper tools, training, and know-how is a must. Our friendly and reputable experts are eager to bring you the best care possible. And if you need financing help, we’ve got options for you there too.
Get started by reaching out online or calling (614) 446-1221 with questions. We’re here for you.
Fixing existing brick walls is part of our masonry repair services and we'd love to talk with you about your repair needs.