#1 Lintel Repair & Replacement Service
Restoring Stability to Southeast Wisconsin Homes
Is the brickwork above your window cracking or sagging? That is likely a failing lintel. A lintel is the structural steel beam that spans an opening (like a window or door) to support the weight of the masonry above it.
Over time, Wisconsin's moisture causes these steel beams to rust and expand. This process, known as rust-jacking, creates immense pressure that lifts and cracks the mortar and bricks above.
If left unchecked, this can lead to severe structural damage. Custom Restoration Inc. stops this cycle of decay with expert lintel replacement and complete masonry restoration services throughout southeast WI.
3 Early Signs of Lintel Failure
- Step-Cracks: Zig-zag cracks in the mortar joints starting from the upper corners of windows or doors.
- Bowing Bricks: The masonry above the opening appears to be sagging or warping downward.
- Rust Stains: Visible rust leaking onto the brick or crushed bricks at the corners where the steel enters the wall.
Get a Free Lintel Inspection See Our Repair Gallery
How Lintel Replacement Cost is Determined
There are a variety of factors affecting the cost of lintel replacement, and an inspection is required to provide an accurate quote.
1. The wall's material and condition around the lintel.
The wall's material and condition will determine how difficult it will be to get to the lintel. If there is cracked, crumbling, or failing brick around the lintel, a mason will be required to make repairs.
2. The condition of the window.
If your window is in poor condition, old, or even installed incorrectly, it may increase the cost of replacing the lintel. We recommend having your lintel replaced if you're getting new windows installed - the additional expenses are minimal because the window replacement and lintel replacement processes share several steps in common.
3. The lintel's condition.
If your lintel is broken, bent, or splintering, it will be much more difficult to remove.
Window Lintel Restoration from the Best in the Business
Severely deteriorated, deflected or defective steel lintels should be replaced with new, primed and painted steel, through-wall flashing and end dams. Defective steel cannot be "repaired" with a coat of paint and be expected to perform properly. Masking a defective steel support member can put your home or business at risk of catastrophic wall failure.
At Custom Restoration, our team makes sure the right steps are taken to properly repair and restore window lintels and I-beams to assure a quality finished product!