Lintels

Home renovation projects often entail replacing door lintels and/or window lintels. This can be particularly true if the home is an older home that was constructed with older materials. Replacing the older lintels with more updated, load bearing lintels will help to insulate the house, protect the masonry and keep water from getting into the structure. Neglecting to repair older lintels can result in damage to the masonry that could ultimately cost much more than replacing the lintels.

Considerations for Replacing Lintels

There are many replacement options when it comes time to replace older lintels. Lintel suppliers have a variety of materials such as steel lintels, concrete lintels and precast concrete lintels. The lintel prices will ultimately be based on the material type and the design of the lintel that is needed and how strong it needs to be. Extra strong load bearing lintels will be higher priced that those that are not going to be supporting a heavy load.

Installation of the new lintels must also be considered. The process will include removing the old lintels in order to install the new ones. If the lintel is a concrete or precast concrete lintel the installation is similar to that of other masonry products and is typically worked into the brick application. Often, if there is extensive work to be completed and the lintels are on load bearing walls, a brick mason or brick restoration will need to be contacted to carry out the work.

Installation of steel lintels is typically just above the brick or mason work located at the top edge of the opening. Mortar is the glue that holds the lintel in place. Like the concrete lintel, lintel installation using steel lintels is not a difficult process and should be easily handled by the self builder.

When to Repair Lintels

Knowing when to repair lintels depends on what types of lintels are installed. Steel lintels should be replaced when rust begins to appear so that the lintels remain strong and do not eventually corrode and have less strength which in turn could cause wall sagging or even worse collapse.

Concrete lintels should be repaired or replaced when the mortar shows obvious signs of distress such as cracking or shifting. Although a professional brick restorations company should be contacted to do the brick work it is worth the cost involved due to the extensive damage that could occur should the concrete lintel crack all the way through and cause the remaining mortar to cave.

Lintels should be inspected for damage before attempting to sale the property. During the home inspection the potential home buyers as well as the financing agency will be looking at every aspect of the home and the lintels are one of those areas. If they find them in disrepair they may fear for the overall condition of the remaining structural components of the house.

Older homes in particular can benefit from lintel repair or replacement. This is a project that can be worked into the home renovation plan and may or may not require a contractor. Inspect the lintels on an annual basis to insure they are strong and not damage in order to keep the value of the property high.