A lintel is a load-bearing building component, a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented structural item. It is often found over portals, doors, and windows.
Lintels in the Chicagoland area can become damaged due to the large amount of precipitation and harsh winter climate we have. This can lead to damage to surrounding areas, structural failure and leaks. Replacing the damaged lentils with proper flashing, weep cord and drip edge can solve these problems.
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Maintaining masonry structure can be a handful. If you are into masonry or brickwork construction, then you are in the right place for guidelines on maintenance repair. This section will discuss lintel, its importance and the basics you need to know for lintel replacement done right.
What Is a Lintel?
A lintel is an important part of your construction that provides horizontal support to the weight or load of the structure atop a door, window or any other opening. It prevents cracking of your wall above any window or aperture and thus prevents an eventual collapse.
Why and When Do You Need Lintel Replacement?
There are several causes that might result in lintel replacement: extreme weather conditions, improper rustproofing and flashing placement could lead to damage of the lintel. These issues could also lead to improper expansion of the lintels that could very well damage the entire structure. Cracks could form and gravely damage the entire structure.
What You Need to Know When Doing Lintel Replacement
It is important to know what to choose as the proper lintel replacement. In order to do so, one must determine the wall construction of the structure where the replacement will be made. You must also determine the length of the lintel depending on the window or door in the brick wall.
You must measure the opening and make adjustments depending on the support needed by the weight or load above it. You must also calculate the load to be supported by the lintel replacement. There must be a proper ratio between all levels of the wall to ensure that the stress of the weight is properly supported.
Proper replacement and installment is needed to prevent rusting in the future and eventual expansion of the lintel. Proper flashing together with proper lintel installment is also necessary to ensure that the weight will not result in any cracks. After a lintel replacement, you must ensure that custom mortar is used or applied to guarantee the repair was properly made.
What Might a Lintel Installment Cost?
The cost of installing a lintel depends on the material to be used, the length that will be used and the area where it will be placed. The cost of a replacement steel lintel will differ from that of a timber, brick, or stone lintel.
Expert assistance is needed in replacement and installation of this nature. A wrong placement or a miscalculation of stress load of the structure or its weight can cause cracks and eventual damage to the entire structure. Contact Affordable Tuckpointing Pros LLC today to get the proper evaluation for your lintel replacement needs and to know what you need to do for the maintenance of your masonry construction.
If you are in need of a replacement, then we are the experts to call. Our professional construction and masonry team knows everything there is to know about lintels. With years upon years of hands-on experience, we are the only ones to do the job! So don’t wait! Call Affordable Tuckpointing Pros today for an estimate!
