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  1. #1
    Susan l's Avatar
    Susan l Guest

    Default Lintel and mortar type

    Problem solved

    Last edited by Susan l; 08-07-2013 at 12:15 PM.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
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    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Not normally a DIY type job.
    I would call a mason.
    The lentil may (or may not) need to be replaced.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
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    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Is this lintel on the south exposure? Expansion/contraction of brick?
    And possible water issues. Wind driven rain, no gutters, clogged gutters ... spilling water against the area in question.


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Also, I believe the lintel should extend 6" either side of the opening for proper bearing. If it's less; such as only 2-3" the lintel may have shifted. Also freeze thaw action on lintel..


  5. #5
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    Nov 2011
    Location
    Oregon, USA
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    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    The lentil may (or may not) need to be replaced.
    I don't think she's talking about beans, eh?

    - - - Updated - - -


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Columbus GA
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    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Quote Originally Posted by BridgeMan View Post
    I don't think she's talking about beans, eh?

    - - - Updated - - -
    I blame it on the Spellchecker


    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    263

    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Quote Originally Posted by Susan l View Post
    I have a lintel that extends over an eight foot bank of windows. The exposed portion of the lintel is in good shape since it has been painted with a high quality paint over the years although there is a slight sagging on the right side. Regarding the portion that extends past the window opening into the brick mortar it has caused a piece to come out. The portion that is embedded behind the mising mortar is rusted and there is mild staining on the one brick directly below. The missing piece is approximately 2 inches. There is no other brick or mortar cracking. There is a row of soldier brick directly above the lintel.

    I was going to use a custom mortar mix that I purchased previously from U.S. Heritage to fill the missing void. I was considering this based on the fact the mortar has a high lime content along with Portland cement and silica sand and I know lime has healing properties but I was not sure if this would not react well with the lintel. I was first going to scrap off any rust.

    Any help would be vey much apreciated.
    Pictures are always helpful. Painting the exposed lintel will not help much with rusting. The stuff you cannot see is causing the problems with the cracking mortar. Assuming the lintel does not need replacement you need to re-point using the same type of mortar that was originally used or something with a lower compression strength. Using the wrong mortar can damage the brick.

    You might want to get a guy who really knows tuckpointing to tell you what type of mortar to use or somebody told me you can send a sample somewhere to give you an analysis but I do not know where.

    Just about everything you might want to know about brick can be found at the Brick Institute which has free technical notes.

    Links to Technical Notes

    Mike Lamb
    Inspection Connection, Inc.
    http://www.inspection2020.com/

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    263

    Default Re: Lintel and mortar type

    Quote Originally Posted by Raymond Wand View Post
    Also, I believe the lintel should extend 6" either side of the opening for proper bearing. If it's less; such as only 2-3" the lintel may have shifted. Also freeze thaw action on lintel..
    According to the BIA the bearing length depends upon the load with a 3" minimum.

    Mike Lamb
    Inspection Connection, Inc.
    http://www.inspection2020.com/

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