Steel Lintel Replacement Oak Brook IL
Since you’re reading this article, you are most likely thinking about a steel lintel replacement and you are most likely living in Oak Brook IL or one of the surrounding neighborhoods.
You are definitely in the right place and we’ll be happy to help you in the evaluation of the distressed structure, answering any steel lintel replacement Oak Brook IL questions, and providing you with a quote for work that might be necessary to correct your lintel problem.
A lintel, the horizontal architectural member of a structure, is usually responsible for supporting the weight of various building wall components located above openings such as 
windows, doors, or portals. Load bearing isn’t always the only function of the lintel, as sometimes it is just a decorative, architectural element and the only weight it supports is its own.
The majority of the steel lintel replacements we perform in the Oak Brook IL area are caused by severe corrosion of steel, which results in their expansion, mortar line cracks, and masonry wall section displacement / damage.
Those examples are all load bearing lintels, and their replacement can sometimes involve rebuilding significant portions of the walls.
What are the most typical signs of a bad steel lintel that qualifies it for replacement in Oak Brook IL?
1. Mortar cracks at the upper corners of doors, windows, and / or portals lose pieces of mortar from the joints. In case the process has just begun and there are no displaced wall sections above the corroding lintel, the replacement shouldn’t be complicated.
2. Mortar line cracks, cracked and / or displaced wall components (bricks, stone, CMU blocks): such damage cannot be easily fixed and, besides the Oak Brook IL lintel replacement, often requires a complete rebuilding of a masonry wall or its section.
Filling cracks and openings with mortar, covering corroded lintels with paint, or capping it with aluminum provides only a temporary and aesthetic solution. The condition of a lintel will worsen quickly because it cannot “breathe” under paint or aluminum cover. Moisture trapped in layers of corroding steel will not evaporate and cause further corrosion and expansion.
Fresh mortar filled cracks will cause more damage to the wall areas previously unaffected and eventually result in structural failure, sometimes leaks, and damage to your home’s interior components.
Why is all of that happening to the lintels in the Chicagoland area?
Well, it’s mainly because of the humidity, the significant amount of rainfall (at least it used to be), and cold winters (that factor seems to be changing as well). Monitoring the masonry walls and spotting the signs of a corroding lintel quickly can save you a lot of money and prevent serious structural stability issues.
Keep in mind that whenever the wall becomes compromised, a structural engineer may need to be involved in a process of restoration. This raises the Oak Brook IL steel lintel replacement cost significantly, but unfortunately it might be unavoidable.
If you look at your building and spot anything similar to what you can see on our website’s pictures, give us a call so we can assess this condition.
