Beams that span windows, doors, fireplaces and other openings in buildings; lintels can be structurally important, or simply aesthetically appealing, or a combination of both. Helping to support the load from the structure above the opening, they are found in buildings of all kinds. However, while themselves subject to intense pressure and environmental factors, lintels do sometimes fail, and here are some of the most common causes:
Concrete lintel failure
Concrete lintels are reasonably common, and are likely to be found in many buildings thanks to their versatility and affordability. Usually made with another building material sandwiched into the middle to help the lintel withstand loads of high-pressure, such as mesh or steel bars, despite their advantages, they do sometimes fail.
Usually due to poorly made lintels, incorrect installation or improper use, when concrete lintels fail, other factors may also be at play, such as water or moisture penetration. This can be easy to spot, but if you suspect damp may be causing your concrete lintels to fail, you can ask a construction expert to come out and assess it for you.
Steel lintel failure
While not used as commonly as concrete lintels, steel lintels are used widely in commercial and industrial buildings, thanks to its huge tensile strength in relation to the cost, and the fact that long building sections can be covered by just one steel lintel. This fact also makes them popular for use in modern structures.
Steel lintels are most at risk of failure when exposed to an environment that’s rich in moisture, making it much more likely to corrode and start losing its tensile strength.
Timber lintel failure
Having been used for constructing lintels for centuries, wooden lintels are malleable, affordable and attractive. Perhaps more importantly than these factors however, is its heat preservation rating, which is higher than stone and lintels comprised of man-made materials.
Despite its many advantages, wooden lintels can frequently fall prey to the following:
- Woodworm
- Dry rot
- Wet rot
Woodworm are easy to spot, and if you find them in your wooden lintels, you should seek expert help as soon as possible to put an end to the worm’s destructive cycle.
Wet and dry rot begin in much the same way, as water or moisture penetrates the timber, and if you have rot in any other areas of your home, and suspect it may have spread to your lintels, you’ll need an expert assessment at the earliest.
Stone lintel failure
Also having been used in construction for centuries, stone has a lot of advantages when used to construct lintels, and affordability, strength, ease of design and attractiveness are just some. However, while it does make a great material for lintels, it may also fail from time to time, and when it does, it isn’t as easy to control it and monitor the problem as it with some other materials.
While the root cause of stone lintel failure may again be water and moisture, some chemical damage may take place inside the lintel, which will be impossible to see with the naked eye. If you are worried about any of your stone lintels failing, consult a specialist in construction and put your mind at ease.
Lintel failure may often be unavoidable, but it is always important to seek restorative repairs or a full replacement as soon as you notice any signs of damage or weakness, such as sagging walls or cracks appearing.