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what a rusty lintel looks like that needs to be replaced.
Newly replaced lintel on a church. JND Enterprises, Chicago
Newly laid up Brick from a Lintel Replacement. JND Enterprises, Chicago
Rusty lintel causing brick to shift. JND Enterprises, Chicago
Window lintel and window sill replacement and repair services by JND Enterprises
 

They are crucial in carrying the load of masonry. 

Lintels, C-Channels with welded plates and I-Beams are all used to bridge openings in masonry walls. 

In addition, all openings should have proper flashing and weeps installed to allow for drainage. Flashing with drip wicks are necessary components to keep steel lintels, C-Channels and I-Beams from rusting and corroding.

Window Lintels Repair & Replacement Process:

  • We install the scaffolding required for the building. 

  • The bricks or stone are carefully cut out to expose the lintel. 

  • Old lintel is then removed. 

  • New lintel is then installed. 

  • To prevent water seepage, we install rubber flashing membrane and rope wicks.

  • Brick is relaid in the opening. 

  • Final step is acidic washing relaid brick.

  • For repair of lintel, we sand the lintel and repaint.

  • Clear any mortar that may be blocking drainage. (Tuckpointing or caulking lintels shut is wrong, lintel are to be open to allow for drainage).

A Rusty Steel Lintel can Expand to Ten Times its Original Size.
These are some signs you have a lintel that needs replacing.

  • In the upper corners of windows or doors, the mortar joints will start to lift and crack.

  • The steel lintel is starting to rust, flake away and expand.

  • The brick and stone starts to shift and move.

As a building ages the steel lintels that support the masonry above an opening sometimes begin to rust and fail. 

​A common masonry repair is lintel replacement.

The signs are obvious, and you will know it when you see it. Lintels that are rusty and have delaminated into layers need replacing.

A lintel that goes to long without being replaced will start to shift and move the masonry in such a way (such as buckling) as to cause unneeded and costly additional repairs.

As the steel rust it expands, this expansion of the steel lifts the masonry causing cracks and movement in the masonry. 

If you catch the deterioration quick enough you could most likely halt the damage with an application of water repellent.

Lintel Repair & Replacement

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