Ask a questionQuestion?

ᐅ Cracks in the Lintel or Brickwork Above the Window – How to Address?

Created on: 17 Oct 2024 19:02
B
Brand0n
Original post
Hello everyone,

We recently purchased a single-family house and will soon be replacing some old windows.

We have noticed cracks above the window lintel on the west side of the house. The building was constructed in 1989. It seems that the lintel above one of the windows has settled.

What could be the cause of this? What would be the best course of action? Should we leave it as is for now? Is there anything we can do ourselves? Would simply sealing the joints be sufficient?


Close-up of red bricks with gray mortar joints of a brick wall.



Close-up of red bricks with light gray joints; visible cracks and dust stains.



Exterior wall of red brick with ladder and roller shutter at bottom



Red brick wall with damage: one brick protrudes at an angle, mortar visible.



Red brick wall with crumbling bricks and light mortar lines; below is a window frame.
N
nordanney25 Oct 2024 13:21
#13
Buchsbaum066 schrieb:

The masonry lintel of this formwork is not professionally executed
Please explain. How do you identify that? By the step measure? The opening width? Or does it not comply with DIN 1053? Or what exactly makes you say that?
B
Buchsbaum06625 Oct 2024 15:42
#14
11ant schrieb:

I consistently see a lack of clarity regarding the construction of the wall and lintel, focusing only on the lintel in the facing brickwork. It is clearly not professionally executed because this segmental arch is too shallow for the bricks to hold each other together by compression. The fact that it only slips on one side is actually a small miracle.

11ant has already explained it thoroughly and professionally. There is no need to repeat it again—
N
nordanney25 Oct 2024 16:36
#15
Buchsbaum066 schrieb:

11ant has explained everything comprehensively and professionally. There is no need to repeat it—

Sorry, but 11ant’s explanations are unfortunately not convincing. Technically, the flat arch is fine. A minimum camber of 2cm (1 inch) is maintained, as far as I can see. The radius of twice the length also fits.
There is nothing to criticize from a technical point of view.
11ant25 Oct 2024 22:30
#16
Buchsbaum066 schrieb:

It is merely a masonry lintel for the formwork. Structurally, it has no significance for the actual masonry or the window.

Precisely, we do not know whether or what kind of connection exists between the structural wall and the facing masonry here.
Buchsbaum066 schrieb:

Although these are not facing bricks but solid clinker bricks.

Not “but” — rather “and.”
nordanney schrieb:

Sorry, 11ant’s explanations are unfortunately not convincing. Technically, the flat segmental arch is okay. A minimum camber of 2cm (1 inch) is met — unless my eyesight fails me. The radius being twice the length also fits.
There is nothing technically wrong with it.

If the standard (tolerance) is more generous than sound engineering judgment, then my preference is clear. I don’t need much imagination to claim a causal link between the damage pattern and the questionable execution.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/