The horizontal beams between the vertical columns above your windows and doors are one of the major areas of damage in your building. Commonly called lintels are a significant structural component of construction responsible for retaining the structural integrity of the same. However, window lintel failure is more prevalent than the lintels above the doors because of their constant exposure to the exterior elements. window lintel repair is a primary concern for any property owner as, over time, it can lead to irreversible exponential damage.
Designed to last for years, yet lintels undergo defacement due to natural ageing. In cities like Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, and Richmond Hill, where there are extreme temperatures, excessive precipitation (rain and snowfall), and rapid weather fluctuations, lintel failures are highly ubiquitous. Window lintel leak repair is of utmost necessity when there are cracks and missing caulking, leading to moisture seepage.
Nevertheless, repair jobs may not always be agreeable as a long-term solution. You may require window lintel replacement to ensure enhanced longevity, functionality, and improved stability. Today, we will discuss the signs when you will require lintel replacement so that you can avert severe consequences.
Why are Window Lintels Important?
Before proceeding, you must understand the significance of window lintels, making window lintel repair indispensable!
- Provide support to the walls above window openings
- Bear overhead load and distribute it to other parts of the building
- Safeguard the stability of windows
- Retain the shape and position of windows
- Maintain the structural integrity of the building
- Act as a decorative architectural component
So, now you know why you require window lintel leak repair immediately!
Your Window Lintel Needs Replacement: Know When?
Replacing a window lintel is necessary if you have
- Motor Line Cracks around Lintel Area- Cracks in the mortar are a severe threat demanding immediate attention. You can either spot vertical cracks around the upper corners of your window or horizontal cracks that get critical over time. They appear when the mortar loses its strength and weight-bearing capability.
- Bulging Bricks- When lintels become old, they fail to retain their shape and position. Often they shift from their place, misbalancing the alignment of bricks. As a result, you will observe jutting or bulging bricks around windows that gradually culminate in lintel failure. Replacing the lintel by window lintel repair professionals is the only fix.
- Cracks on the Surrounding Bricks- When the brickwork degenerates with time, cracks appear on the surface due to moisture penetration and continuous freeze-thaw cycles. It is a clear indication there is lintel failure which gets worse when left untreated. Sometimes, the lintels can bend when they lose their load-bearing capacity.
- Dust or Falling Mortar Pieces- In worst-case scenarios, you may have crumbling mortar falling apart in the form of dust or chunks. It means your lintel can longer provide support and can suddenly break down. Window lintel repair cost in such circumstances goes up as it requires replacing the entire structure.
- Corrosion- One of the primary causes of lintel failure is the corrosion of the metal parts, including reinforced steel, fixtures, etc. Especially if your lintel is made of steel entirely, corrosion is inevitable.
- Noticeable Defects- You can easily notice lintel flaws if you inspect regularly. Gaps between the lintel and walls, shifting walls, etc., are other signs of lintel damage.
To sum up, ignoring lintel damage poses severe consequences, risking lives and neighboring properties. Timely window lintel repair can save you from potential costs- financially and physically!