Lintel and Shelf Flashing Repair

Lintel, Shelf and Through Wall Repair

Commercial Lintel Repair and Replacement Serving Chicago and NW Indiana

Do you need Lintel repair?

Nearly all commercial brick and stone buildings use lintels to provide support to the facade above doors and windows.

If you notice mortar cracks or missing mortar around the upper corners of a door or window, these could be a sign of a damaged or failing lintel.

Additionally, displaced wall components in these areas can also be a sign. Left untreated, lintel failure can compromise structural integrity and lead to collapsed walls.

Contact RestoreWorks to schedule an inspection. We will perform a thorough inspection to identify the cause, extent of the damage and what is needed to restore structural integrity.

RestoreWorks specializes in commercial masonry restoration services in the Chicagoland area.

RestoreWorks crews replacing lintels on a large commercial building in Chicago.

Why do lintels fail?

Brick and stone are very common building materials in Chicago.

Over time, the humid environment and freezing winter weather can cause steel lintels to rust. As they rust, the steel expands horizontally and vertically, creating stress on the surrounding mortar or brick, resulting in cracks and missing mortar.

Left unchecked, water can penetrate the cracks, and when it freezes which causes additional damage in freezing weather.

How are lintels repaired?

If an inspection finds heavily rusted lintels, replacement is typically a better option than repair. Today's building materials are far superior to those used decades ago and can provide longer lasting results.

Replacing a lintel requires removing the brick above the window to access the old lintel. After removal the area is cleaned and sealed. A galvanized lintel or shelf angle is installed followed by flashing, end dams and a weep system. Any structural damage to the facade may require additional brick removal and replacement.

Lintel replacement that lasts

When it comes to repairing or replacing lintels, shelf angles and through-walls on commercial buildings, churches, schools, museums, and similar Chicago area structures, RestoreWorks is your best choice. Our lintel replacement will restore structural integrity, improve water tightness, and add years to the useful life of the building. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.

Set galvanized shelf angle