Federation Tuckpointing® provides specialist lintel replacement across Perth and WA for residential and commercial properties, including window lintel replacement and repair above doors and other structural openings. We inspect rusted, cracked and failed lintels before replacing them with galvanised steel where required. Every repair is backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
What are Lintels?
A lintel is a horizontal structural beam installed above windows, doors and other wall openings. Its job is to support the weight of the brickwork above and transfer that load safely to each side of the opening.
Older Perth homes commonly contain steel lintels. Over time these lintels can rust, expand and place pressure on the surrounding brickwork. This often leads to cracking above windows and doors, lifting brickwork and water entering the wall.
Why do Lintels fail?
Steel lintels usually fail because moisture reaches the steel over many years. As steel corrodes it expands. That expansion pushes against the surrounding brickwork and creates pressure above the opening.
Other causes include:
- long-term water penetration
- poor drainage
- incorrect installation
- inadequate support
- ageing building materials
BEFORE
AFTER
Before
After
Signs your Lintel may need to be repaired or replaced
Many homeowners first notice the brickwork cracking before realising the lintel underneath has failed.
Common warning signs include:
- Rust on steel lintels
- Cracks in lintels or surrounding brickwork
- Warping or expansion of lintel beams
- Step cracks at the corners of windows or doors
- Sagging or bulging brickwork above openings
- Rust staining above windows
- Windows or doors sticking
Acting quickly prevents further structural damage and costly repairs.
If you require lintel replacement or repair services at your Perth home or business, our specialists will inspect the damage and recommend the most appropriate repair.
At Federation Tuckpointing, we replace steel lintels with galvanised lintels and provide a 10-year guarantee on all our work, giving you peace of mind once we restore structural support to the affected opening and surrounding brickwork.
What causes cracks above windows?
Cracks above windows and doors often indicate movement in the lintel supporting the brickwork.
When steel lintels rust they expand.
This expansion pushes against the bricks above, creating stepped cracking or horizontal cracks.
Repairing the visible crack without replacing the damaged lintel usually means the cracking returns.
Our Lintel Replacement Process
- Inspect the damaged brickwork.
- Determine whether the lintel has failed.
- Support the brickwork during the repair.
- Remove damaged bricks where required.
- Replace the failed lintel.
- Rebuild and repoint the surrounding brickwork.
- Match the existing finish as closely as possible.
Have you noticed cracking above your windows or doors?
Our Perth team will inspect the damage, determine whether the lintel has failed and explain the most appropriate repair before any work begins.
Call us on (08) 9242 2952 today or request a free online quote from our team.
Got questions?
We’ve got answers
No. While cracks above windows and doors are commonly caused by a rusted or failing lintel, they can also result from foundation movement, deteriorated mortar, thermal expansion or other structural issues. Every property is different, which is why we begin with an inspection to identify the cause before recommending any repairs. This ensures the underlying problem is addressed, not just the visible crack.
Common signs of a failing window lintel include stepped cracks above windows or doors, rust staining, bulging brickwork, gaps between bricks, or doors and windows becoming difficult to open or close. These symptoms often develop gradually as the lintel deteriorates. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s worth having the area inspected before the damage spreads further.
Steel lintels can rust when moisture enters the wall over many years. As the steel corrodes, it expands and places pressure on the surrounding brickwork. This expansion often causes cracking, lifting and movement above windows and doors. Replacing the damaged lintel with a galvanised steel lintel helps restore structural support and reduces the risk of future corrosion.
If the lintel has failed, repairing the brickwork alone is usually only a temporary solution. The underlying issue remains, which often means the cracks return over time. During our inspection, we’ll determine whether the lintel still provides adequate support or whether replacement is the most appropriate long-term repair.
The time required depends on the size of the opening, the condition of the surrounding brickwork and the complexity of the repair. We’ll explain the expected timeframe once we’ve inspected the property and assessed the work required.
