No mortar at lintel

**sidney alstad** · 10-18-2010, 05:12 PM

Observed a masonry lintel over the crawlspace hatch today, but no mortar was utilized at the junctions. Would you write this up as a defect?...it is very seldom that I see a masonry lintel utilized at a crawlspace hatch. Usually just the band joist over the masonry blocks.

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**Markus Keller** · 10-18-2010, 05:58 PM

I'm not really seeing a lintel so not sure about that. Based on the edges of the block I'm guessing this was a retrofit, not part of original construction. Since there seem to be gaps between the single base plate and block there may be somewhat of a support issue for those joists above the opening. I would want to see a properly sized and end supported lintel to provide proper support for the joists. Probably nothing major will happen suddenly but sagging over time is a possibility. A wide shot pic would help.

**Dan Cullen** · 10-18-2010, 06:28 PM

Hi Markus,

This is a masonry lintel; not a steel one like those that we are used to.
The horizontal stones at Stonehenge are lintels as Wikipedia will tell you.

File:Stonehenge Inside Facing NE April 2005.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interesting question OP! I personally would indeed 'write it up'. The mortar is needed to help keep out wind driven rain etc., right? I would think any header joint or bed joint on a masonry wall needs mortar for this very purpose.. in addition to helping to keep the masonry units in a straight line.

Dan

David Bell · 10-19-2010, 05:29 AM

Looks like the masons didn't leave enough space for a morter joint for the lintle. The lintle is not the same width as the block giving the illusion of it not being tight to the frameing.

**Michael Thomas** · 10-19-2010, 06:22 AM

I know the OP says "masonry lintel", but without a wider angle picture I'm not sure that's a pre-cast lintel (which at least in my area often have a finer-grain surface texture, while this one appears to match the color and surface texture of the adjacent blocks). That, and the chipped edge, makes me wonder if I'm not seeing CMUs supported by the 2"x window framing.

Sidney,

Do you have a picture taken from the exterior?

**sidney alstad** · 10-19-2010, 07:17 AM

I have an exterior picture, but it exceeds the size for uploading.

**Michael Thomas** · 10-19-2010, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by sidney alstad

I have an exterior picture, but it exceeds the size for uploading.

Do a search for "freeware image resizer", or post to an image hosting site, and post the link here.

**billy claggett** · 10-27-2010, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Markus Keller

I'm not really seeing a lintel so not sure about that. Based on the edges of the block I'm guessing this was a retrofit, not part of original construction. Since there seem to be gaps between the single base plate and block there may be somewhat of a support issue for those joists above the opening. I would want to see a properly sized and end supported lintel to provide proper support for the joists. Probably nothing major will happen suddenly but sagging over time is a possibility. A wide shot pic would help.

Merriam-Webster definition, a lintel is a load-bearing member and is placed over an entranceway

**Eric Barker** · 10-27-2010, 03:24 PM

Sidney - I really don't see much of an issue with the masonry lintel. As for the absent mortar, I'd called it a weekend project that can be taken care of after the buyer moves in.

Jim Hime · 11-10-2010, 08:01 PM

Not sure about northern codes but I was looking at the wood frame in contact with masonry without a flashing (or termite shield). Appears to be untreated lumber as well. Recommend check out IRC R703.7.5.