A lintel is something most people who live or work in or near multi-story buildings see most everyday but probably do not know the technical term. Simply put, it is defined as a structural horizontal block that spans the space between two vertical supports. In many cases it will be a load-bearing building component or sometimes a decorative architectural element, or in other instances a combined ornamented structural item. It is usually found over doors, fireplaces or portals and can really enhance the look aesthetically of a building.

In fact, the use of the lintel form as a decorative building element over a door with no structural function has been used in the architectural traditions and styles of most cultures for many centuries all over the world including India, Greece and Mexico, just to name a few examples.

However, like most structural elements, over time due to weather, the environment and age, lintels will eventually corrode and weaken. It is imperative that any lintels displaying signs of sagging or weakness get repaired or replaced before they skew or fall. This is not just an aesthetic issue but a safety concern as well.

For this reason, and due to the fact lintels are so important to the look and security of your structure it is important to make sure you hire a firm with the knowledge and resources to correct all the issues with your beams and angle irons. If you are in the Chicago area the first place to call is Arrow Masonry and Exteriors, Inc. Based in Palatine, IL, Arrow serves the entire Chicago area and its suburbs. Its reputation is absolutely impeccable and the fact they have been doing business since 1964 will let you know your project is in the best possible hands.

If you need you lintels replaced, or have any other exterior building questions, do yourself a favor and call Arrow Masonry at 312-329-0750 today!

Water is one of the most damaging forces in the world. This has become especially apparent this summer with the severe flooding in Louisiana, one of the worst weather events in recent memory.

Even if your building doesn’t experience a severe flooding event like the homes in Baton Rouge, LA have this summer, that doesn’t mean water can’t cause some damage. When you combine water exposure with time, and then add in changing seasons to the mix such as in the Chicagoland area, it’s more than likely water will damage your building at some level.

For most buildings, the masonry is the most vulnerable part that can be affected by water.

Sources of masonry damage

Rain, hail, snow and other weather can introduce great deals of moisture to your building’s exteriors. This moisture can penetrate into the bricks and other building materials that make up your building’s walls. It can also deteriorate the mortar that keeps everything together.

Then, when the weather becomes colder, the moisture that already exist in the masonry can expanding – causing further damage.

Restoring damaged masonry

Masonry damage may seem inevitable in the Chicagoland area, and in many ways it is. Luckily, Arrow can help restore or replace your damaged masonry before things get further out of control.

First, we will remove any damaged bricks and replace them with structurally sound ones. We work with many different brick supplies to ensure the replacing bricks are the same as the original, or at least very closely matches them.

Replacing damaged bricks helps ensure that the moisture cannot spread further throughout your building’s exterior and cause further damage.

Depending on the severity of your masonry’s damage, you made need further restoration for the inner layers of your building’s exterior or other structures around your home. We also offer restoration services for parapet walls, firewalls and infills and cut-outs.

Don’t wait on masonry restoration

Could your building use an update due to storm damage, old age or other reason? Find out more about our masonry restoration services on our website. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment, contact us at arrow@tuckpointing.com or call us at one of our convenient phone numbers on our contact page.

This past July has seen a lot more rain than usual in the Chicagoland area, with numerous thunderstorms and even flash flooding. That’s why now is a good time to review the importance of caulking – one of our most important value-added services when it comes to protecting your property from water damage.

Blocking out the water

The most obvious benefit of caulking is that it can prevent water and moisture from reaching through the space between bricks and other fixtures that make up the exterior of your property. These are especially vulnerable places to water damage because water that seeps through these spaces can then pool and fester, contributing to erosion of the masonry and even the growth of mold.

Water that accumulates on or near your masonry can be especially dangerous because your property is located in the Chicagoland area. When the seasons change, this water can freeze and expand – causing considerable damage to the nearby fixtures.

Types of caulk

We are experts at preventing unwanted leaks, and this extends to our ability to select the right type of caulk for the job.

Some common types of caulk we use include the following:

• Polyurethane – A very common and effective type of caulk, it can last up to 10 years on average and is better for low-light conditions because ultra-violet rays can deteriorate it.
• Silicone – This type of caulk is inorganic, which means it’s not vulnerable to the effects of the sun the way polyurethane is. It is also rated to last longer than polyurethane – up to 20 years or longer – but is more expensive.
• Butyl rubber – This is a highly flexible caulk that can withstand extreme weather. It’s best used on concrete and gutters, but may not be appropriate for general use as that would be cost-prohibitive.

Identifying vulnerabilities

You can typically tell where you need to apply caulk by eyeing your property’s exterior. However, there may be some stubborn leaks that can’t be detected quite so easily.

With our advanced leak detection services, we use infrared imagery to identify the most probably locations where leaks are occurring. Check out our page on leak detection on our website.

Make an appointment

Ready to get gaps and leaks caulked before the next rainstorm? Contact us by calling us at one of our phone numbers on our website. You can also get more information by emailing us at Arrow@Tuckpointing.com.