Rusted Lintel Removal & Replacement
We carefully remove corroded steel lintels without disturbing the surrounding brickwork, then install a properly sized replacement so the opening above your window or door is fully supported again.
Lintel Repair Experts
Lintel Replacement Washington DC
Spotted a stair-step or horizontal crack in the brick above a window or door? Don't write it off as normal settling. That crack is usually a rusted lintel talking. A lintel is the hidden steel or stone beam spanning every opening, carrying the brick above it so the wall doesn't sag.
Most DC rowhouses were built with plain steel lintels, and years of moisture have rusted many of them out. As the steel corrodes, it expands, pushing against the brick above the opening until mortar joints crack and bricks work loose. As lintel replacement contractors in Washington DC, The Brick Bros handle the full fix: removing the rusted lintel, installing a new galvanized steel lintel sized to properly carry the load, and rebuilding the cracked brick above the opening to match your home's existing color and pattern.
Left alone, a failing lintel only gets worse, and eventually that brick can come loose. If you're seeing cracks over an opening anywhere in Petworth, Brookland, Shaw, or nearby, contact us for a free inspection and quote.
Service Details
Our Lintel Replacement Services
Cracked Brick Repair Above Openings
Once a failed lintel cracks the brick above a window or door, we rebuild those courses from scratch, replacing broken bricks and repointing mortar so the wall is structurally sound again.
Galvanized Steel Lintel Installation
We install new galvanized steel lintels that resist the rust and corrosion that doomed the original, giving you a longer-lasting fix instead of a repair you'll need to redo in a few years.
Early Rust Detection & Inspection
Not sure if your lintels are failing yet? We inspect the steel above every window and door for early rust and hairline cracking so we can catch problems before they spread into the brick.
Brick Arch & Soldier Course Rebuilding
For openings with decorative soldier courses or brick arches, we rebuild the masonry above the lintel piece by piece, restoring the original look while the new steel does the structural work.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's a lintel problem and not just settling?
Lintel damage almost always shows up as a stair-step or horizontal crack that runs across the brick directly above a window or door opening, sometimes with rust stains bleeding through the mortar. General settling cracks tend to run diagonally elsewhere on the wall. If you're unsure, we'll take a look for free.
Why do so many DC rowhouses have this issue?
Most rowhouses in DC were built decades ago with plain, unprotected steel lintels rather than galvanized steel. Combined with the region's humid summers and freeze-thaw winters, that steel rusts and expands over time, which is exactly why cracked brick above windows is such a common call for us.
How much does lintel replacement cost, and how long does it take?
Cost depends on the number of openings, the extent of brick damage, and access, but most single-lintel repairs run in the low thousands and are completed in a day or two. We'll give you an exact, itemized price after a free on-site inspection.
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Talk to a local DC masonry expert about your project — no pressure, no obligation.