The lintel is the beam above a door or window that carries the weight of the wall above it. When it fails, the signs usually show up in the brickwork around the opening. Catch them early and the repair is far simpler and cheaper. Here are the five most common warning signs we're called out to across Swansea.
1. Stepped or diagonal cracks above the opening
Cracks that climb diagonally from the top corners of a window or door — often following the mortar joints in a 'staircase' pattern — are a classic sign the lintel is no longer supporting the load properly.
2. Sagging brickwork or a dip above the window
If the brick courses above an opening look like they're dipping or bowing in the middle, the lintel underneath may be bending or has already failed.
3. Doors and windows that suddenly stick
When frames start binding or won't open smoothly for no obvious reason, it can be because the opening above has dropped slightly as the lintel loses strength.
4. Rust stains or crumbling concrete
Older steel lintels can rust and expand (known as 'concrete cancer' on concrete lintels), pushing bricks apart. Rust streaks or spalling concrete around the opening are a red flag.
5. Cracks that keep getting wider
A hairline crack that slowly opens up over weeks or months suggests ongoing movement — worth getting assessed sooner rather than later.
What to do next
Most lintel problems are very fixable. The key is an early assessment so we can confirm the cause, safely support the opening and repair or replace the lintel before the damage spreads. If you've spotted any of these signs on your Swansea or Gower home, book a free assessment and we'll take a look.