Lintel Repair: Addressing Structural Damage Above Windows

How to Identify Underlying Window Lintel Failure 

Lintels are placed horizontally across the top of a wall opening, extending past either end. The lintel material depends on the structure’s support needs and the building’s aesthetic requirements. They are an important structural element. How do you identify window lintel failure? Look for the following:

• Cracks in the window glass indicate that the window is carrying structural weight rather than the lintel.
• Cracked or missing mortar around the upper corners of the window.
• Depressions along the window structure.

Is the lintel above the window made from steel? It might be pitted, and rust is wearing down the metal, causing the lintel to fail. A crack in a stone lintel is also an indication of failure, and it should be replaced immediately. Not doing so is a safety risk.

What is Lintel Repair? 

Lintel repair is the process of restoring or replacing a structural support element—called a lintel—that spans the top of a window, door, or other wall opening. In masonry buildings, lintels carry the weight of the wall above these openings. When a lintel becomes damaged due to rust, cracking, shifting, or moisture intrusion, it must be repaired or replaced to prevent structural failure.



What Lintel Repair Involves:

• Removing surrounding damaged brick, stone, or mortar
• Replacing or reinforcing the lintel with appropriate materials (steel, concrete, etc.)
• Installing flashing, end dams, and weep systems to manage moisture
• Rebuilding the masonry to match the original appearance

Types of Lintel Reinforcement Used in Construction 

In some buildings, lintels provide structural support and serve a decorative purpose, just like the stone lintels above the second-floor windows of Chicago’s historic Yondorf Block and Hall. What types of lintel reinforcement materials are used in construction?

Brick. Often used in masonry construction, brick lintels are created by placing several layers of bricks over the opening to distribute the load.

Reinforced Brick. A mild steel bar is placed lengthwise in the space between adjacent bricks to reinforce the lintel.

Timber. Generally used in residential and traditional construction, timber lintels can be costly and are vulnerable to fire.

Reinforced concrete. Suitable for all loads and spans, reinforced concrete lintels are strong, rigid, economical and fire-resistant.

Steel. Steel lintels are ideal when openings are large and the superimposed loads are heavy.

Stone. They have span limitations, and the stone lintel’s thickness is its most important design factor.

Why Lintel Repair Is Critical in Masonry Restoration?

Why is a cracked window lintel dangerous? Lintels carry the extensive weight of the bricks or stones above, and when the lintel starts to fail, the materials begin sagging downwards. Ultimately, the pressure is so extensive that the lintel breaks or the wall collapses, causing damage. In a glass window, the pressure could make the glass crack and ultimately break, severely hurting people walking beside the building or staff seated next to the window.

Our Proven Lintel Repair Process

At RestoreWorks, lintel repair is not a temporary patch—it’s a long-term restoration strategy rooted in decades of experience and masonry science.

Step 1: Structural Assessment

We begin by identifying the source and extent of damage—whether from rust, settling, water infiltration, or improper flashing.

Step 2: Selective Demolition

Damaged materials are carefully removed without disturbing adjacent masonry, allowing a clean interface for the new system.

Step 3: Lintel Replacement or Reinforcement

Depending on the condition, we install a new steel or reinforced concrete lintel or reinforce the existing one with modern techniques.

Step 4: Advanced Flashing System Installation

Proper flashing is essential for long-term durability. We integrate flashing, end dams, and weep systems to prevent future water entry.



Step 5: Masonry Rebuild and Finish

The surrounding brick or stone is rebuilt using materials and mortar that match the original construction, preserving both function and appearance.

Hire Professionals for Concrete Lintel Repair 

There can be no quality or safety compromise with lintel repair and replacement. Hire professionals to perform the repair or replacement, and you are guaranteed the work is of the highest standard. RestoreWorks is your best choice. Our process includes performing a thorough inspection to identify the cause and extent of the damage and what is needed to restore structural integrity.

When we find heavily rusted steel lintels, experience shows it is better to replace the lintel. Today’s building materials are superior to those used decades ago and provide longer-lasting results. RestoreWorks adds flashing, end dams, and weep systems during the lintel repair process. When RestoreWorks replaces lintels, it restores structural integrity, improves water tightness, and adds decades to a building’s life.

Why Choose RestoreWorks for Lintel Repair in Chicago?

With over 30 years of experience in commercial masonry restoration, RestoreWorks delivers lintel repair solutions tailored to each building’s structural demands and aesthetic requirements.

We’ve completed successful projects across:

• Historic churches and universities
• Commercial high-rises
• Museums, libraries, and civic buildings

Our Chicago-based team understands how local weather, age, and construction methods impact masonry, and we repair accordingly.

RestoreWorks is a professional service provider with decades of experience. We provide lintel repair and shelf flashing repair services to clients throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana. Has a building inspection highlighted that there might be problems with several windows? Did you request the inspection because you saw slight cracks next to the lintel above a window? Contact RestoreWorks today.