- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- coastwidebrickandblocklaying@gmail.com
Have you noticed cracks appearing above your windows or doors? Maybe the brickwork is starting to lift, the mortar joints are separating, or you’ve spotted rust stains running down the wall.
These can be signs of a deteriorating steel lintel, a problem that shouldn’t be ignored.
At Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying, we provide brickwork repairs and remedial masonry services across the Sunshine Coast, helping homeowners address damaged brickwork around windows, doors and other openings.
With over 25 years of bricklaying and blocklaying experience, we understand how deterioration around lintels can affect the surrounding masonry and why identifying the underlying cause is important.
A lintel is a structural component installed above an opening, such as a window, door or garage entrance.
Its purpose is to support the masonry above the opening and transfer the load to the surrounding structure.
In many brick homes, steel lintels are used to support brickwork above windows and doors.
When a steel lintel is exposed to moisture over time, corrosion can develop. As the steel rusts, it can expand and place pressure on the surrounding brickwork.
This movement may cause cracking, displaced bricks and deteriorating mortar joints.
The longer the underlying problem continues, the greater the potential for damage to the surrounding masonry.
One of the most noticeable warning signs is cracking in the brickwork above an opening.
Cracks may follow the mortar joints in a stepped pattern or appear through individual bricks.
Although cracks can develop for several reasons, deterioration of the supporting lintel is one possible cause.
Orange or brown staining around the top of a window or door can indicate corrosion of a nearby metal component.
If the staining is coming from a steel lintel, moisture may be reaching the metal and contributing to deterioration.
As steel corrodes, the rust products occupy more space than the original metal.
This expansion can place pressure on the surrounding masonry, potentially causing bricks to lift, shift or separate.
Mortar joints around the opening may begin to crack or deteriorate as the brickwork moves.
You might notice gaps forming between bricks or sections where mortar has become loose.
In some cases, part of the lintel is visible above the opening.
Flaking rust, corrosion or deterioration of the steel should be investigated, particularly where the lintel supports masonry.
If cracks have previously been filled or repointed but continue to return, the underlying cause may not have been addressed.
Simply repairing the visible mortar or brickwork may not resolve a deteriorating lintel.
Steel lintels can corrode when moisture reaches the metal and suitable protection is absent or has deteriorated.
On the Sunshine Coast, environmental factors such as coastal salt exposure, humidity and periods of heavy rainfall can contribute to corrosion risks.
Other factors may include:
Ageing or damaged protective coatings
Water entering through gaps in the masonry
Inadequate drainage or flashing details
Persistent moisture around windows and doors
Previous construction defects
Long-term exposure to weather
Not every lintel will experience corrosion, and the cause of damage can vary between properties.
Identifying why the steel has deteriorated is an important part of determining an appropriate repair.
The appropriate solution depends on the condition of the lintel, the extent of corrosion and the damage to the surrounding brickwork.
Minor surface corrosion may require a different approach from a lintel that has experienced significant section loss or structural deterioration.
Where a lintel is no longer providing adequate support, replacement may be necessary.
The surrounding masonry may also need to be carefully removed and reinstated as part of the work.
Because lintels can support structural loads, an appropriately qualified building professional or engineer may need to assess the condition and specify the required repairs.
At Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying, we can assist with the masonry components of lintel repair projects, including removing and reinstating affected brickwork in accordance with the relevant repair requirements.
Every project is different, but lintel replacement involving brickwork will generally require several stages.
The first step is identifying the affected area and determining whether the lintel, surrounding masonry or another building component is responsible for the visible damage.
Structural assessment may be required.
The repair method will depend on the opening, existing construction and structural requirements.
Where necessary, temporary support and an appropriate replacement lintel must be specified before masonry is disturbed.
Brickwork surrounding the deteriorated lintel may need to be carefully removed to provide access.
The extent of removal depends on the repair design and condition of the existing masonry.
Where replacement is required, the new lintel must be suitable for the opening and installed in accordance with the relevant structural specifications.
Corrosion protection and moisture management details should also be considered.
Once the structural work has been completed, the surrounding brickwork can be reinstated.
Matching existing bricks and mortar as closely as practical can help the repaired section blend with the original wall.
The completed work should be checked against the repair requirements, including any necessary inspections or certification.
The goal is to address the underlying issue rather than simply conceal the visible damage.
Not every crack above a window or door is caused by a rusted lintel.
Brickwork can crack because of foundation movement, settlement, thermal expansion, moisture issues and other structural or environmental factors.
That’s why it’s important not to assume that repointing the mortar will solve the problem.
If a lintel is corroding and expanding, repairing the cracks without addressing the steel may only provide a temporary cosmetic improvement.
On the other hand, if the lintel is sound and the cracking has another cause, replacement may not be necessary.
A proper assessment helps determine which approach is appropriate.
For more information, read our guide to When Should You Repair Brickwork Instead of Rebuilding It?
The cost of rusted lintel repairs varies depending on the opening, extent of damage, access requirements and structural work involved.
Factors that may influence the cost include:
Size and location of the affected window or door
Extent of steel corrosion
Amount of brickwork requiring removal and reinstatement
Temporary structural support requirements
Type and specification of replacement lintel
Access equipment or scaffolding
Engineering and inspection requirements
Availability of matching bricks and materials
Any associated moisture or flashing repairs
A small, accessible opening may involve considerably less work than a large opening with extensive masonry damage.
Because the repair requirements can vary, it’s best to obtain an assessment and quote based on the actual condition of the structure.
When repairing damaged masonry, experience and attention to detail matter.
Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying brings over 25 years of hands-on bricklaying and blocklaying experience to residential and building projects across the Sunshine Coast.
Our masonry services include:
Brickwork repairs
Damaged brick replacement
Mortar repointing
Repairs around windows and doors
Remedial brick and blockwork
Rebuilding damaged masonry sections
We focus on understanding the work required, communicating clearly and delivering professional masonry repairs.
Where a project requires engineering, structural assessment or other specialist work, those requirements should be established before repairs begin.
Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying provides remedial brickwork services throughout the Sunshine Coast, including:
Buderim
Maroochydore
Mooloolaba
Mountain Creek
Kawana
Sippy Downs
Caloundra
Coolum Beach
Nambour
Noosa
Bli Bli
Palmview
Beerwah
Yandina
Whether you’ve noticed cracking above a window in Buderim, rust staining around a doorway in Maroochydore or deteriorating brickwork at a property in Caloundra, our team can discuss the masonry repair work involved.
A severely corroded lintel may lose some of its ability to support the masonry above an opening. If bricks are visibly displaced, loose or moving, keep clear of the affected area and arrange a prompt assessment by an appropriately qualified professional.
Yes. Corrosion can cause steel to expand, placing pressure on surrounding bricks and mortar joints. However, cracks can have other causes, so the underlying problem should be assessed.
It depends on the construction and extent of deterioration. Some work may be possible without extensive masonry removal, while replacement of a concealed lintel may require brickwork to be removed and reinstated.
Repointing can repair deteriorated mortar joints, but it won’t resolve ongoing corrosion or movement caused by a failing lintel. The underlying cause needs to be addressed first.
Not necessarily. The appropriate repair depends on the extent of corrosion, remaining structural capacity and the condition of the surrounding construction.
Where suitable matching bricks and materials are available, the repaired section can be rebuilt to blend with the existing masonry as closely as practical.
Yes. Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying provides brickwork repairs and remedial masonry services across the Sunshine Coast, including Buderim, Maroochydore, Kawana, Caloundra, Sippy Downs and surrounding suburbs.
If you’ve noticed cracking above your windows, rust staining, displaced bricks or deteriorating mortar, it’s worth having the issue investigated before further damage develops.
Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying provides professional brickwork repairs and remedial masonry services across the Sunshine Coast.
With over 25 years of bricklaying and blocklaying experience, we can assist with the masonry repair components of your project and discuss the next steps.
Call 0456 586 891 or contact Coastwide Brick & Blocklaying to request a quote.
