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Garage Lintel Failure in the Southeast

Ignoring signs of a failing garage lintel, or garage header, will cause more damage to your home in the long run and decrease the structural integrity and value of your property.

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We repair sagging & cracks above garage doors

Garage lintel inspections

Lintel stabilization and repair

Masonry crack and gap correction

Supplemental support installation

Structural cause correction

LintelLift® for sagging garage door headers

Cantey Foundation Specialists’ patented LintelLift® System is guaranteed to stop further movement of your garage lintel and can be installed in just one day. There’s no need for lintel replacement when you have LintelLift®.

Consider LintelLift® for permanent structural stability and peace of mind, complete with a 10-year warranty! If you have a bowing or sagging lintel, or cracking above the garage door, schedule a free estimate now.

What is Sagging Garage Lintel
Cantey Foundation Specialists

What Causes a Sagging Garage Lintel?

Inadequate Sizing or Material
The lintel may have been undersized for the load it is intended to carry, or it may be made of materials that are not strong enough or have deteriorated over time (e.g., rotting wood, rusting steel).
If the foundation beneath the garage walls settles, it can place undue stress on the garage door opening and the lintel above it, causing it to sag or crack.
The lintel might be supporting more weight than it was designed for, especially if there have been structural modifications above the garage (e.g., adding a second story, heavy roofing materials).
For wooden lintels, prolonged exposure to moisture from leaks, poor flashing, or drainage issues can lead to wood rot, weakening the beam and causing it to sag.
Steel lintels can corrode over time, especially in humid environments or if exposed to moisture, leading to a loss of strength and subsequent sagging.
The lintel may not have been installed correctly, lacking proper bearing on the vertical supports or being improperly braced during construction.
Cracks in the bricks or blocks directly above the lintel indicate that the lintel is failing to support the load, transferring stress to the masonry itself.

Common Issues from from a Sagging Garage Lintel

Visible Bowing or Sagging

The most direct sign is a noticeable downward curve or dip in the horizontal beam directly above the garage door opening.

Cracks in Masonry or Wall Above

Stair-step cracks in brickwork, horizontal cracks, or vertical cracks extending from the corners of the garage door frame upwards.

Gaps

Visible gaps between the lintel and the wall above it, or gaps around the garage door frame.

Difficulty Operating Garage Door

The garage door may stick, bind, become difficult to open or close, or not seal properly, due to the distortion of the opening.

Rust Stains

For steel lintels, rust stains below the lintel can indicate corrosion and weakening.

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The Best Solution For The Problem

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LintelLift® for sagging garage door Lintel

LintelLift® is a patented, warrantied solution for your sagging garage door header – and can be installed in just one day! The LintelLift® System offers a permanent solution for cracks above your garage door, sagging or bowing garage door headers, and we guarantee that it will stop further movement of your garage lintel.

  • Addresses the root cause of failing garage door lintels
  • Guaranteed to stop further sagging or movement
  • Minimally disruptive installation
  • Fast, one-day installation
  • Vinyl trim can be painted to match house trim
  • 10-year warranty

Process for Repairing a Sagging Garage Lintel

Thorough Inspection & Diagnosis

A Cantey Foundation Specialist will conduct a detailed inspection of the sagging garage lintel, the surrounding wall, and the foundation of your home. We’ll identify the root cause of the lintel’s failure, whether it’s inadequate original support, material deterioration, or underlying foundation settlement.

01

Customized Repair Plan

Based on our diagnosis, we’ll develop a tailored repair plan. This plan may involve installing supplemental steel supports for the lintel itself. If foundation settlement is contributing to the problem, our plan will include appropriate foundation repair solutions, such as push pier or helical pier installation, to stabilize the affected area of your home.

02

Temporary Shoring

The area above the garage door will be temporarily shored to safely support the overhead weight during the repair process.

03

Installation of Supplemental Supports

New steel beams, posts, or other reinforcing elements are installed to permanently support the failing lintel and transfer the load to stable points. This may involve integrating with existing structural elements or extending support to the foundation.

04

Foundation Repair (if necessary)

If foundation settlement is identified as a root cause, our team will proceed with the installation of foundation piers (Push Piers or Helical Piers) to permanently stabilize and potentially lift the compromised section of your foundation, alleviating stress on the lintel.

05

Finishing and Cleanup

Once the structural repairs are complete, the temporary shoring is removed, and the work area is cleaned. Any cosmetic repairs to cracks in masonry or drywall would typically be handled by a separate contractor after the structural repair is complete.

06

Why Choose Cantey for Sagging Garage Lintel Repair?

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Root Cause Analysis

We don't just treat the symptom; we identify and address the fundamental cause of the sagging lintel, especially if it's related to underlying foundation or structural issues.

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Integrated Solutions

As foundation repair experts, we can provide a holistic solution that addresses both the lintel itself and any contributing foundation settlement, ensuring comprehensive structural integrity.

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Experienced Professionals

Our specialists are highly trained in structural assessment and the installation of robust support systems, ensuring a safe and effective repair.

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High-Quality Materials

We utilize durable, strong materials, including galvanized steel, for long-lasting structural reinforcement.

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Restored Structural Integrity

Permanently stabilizes the garage door opening and the structure above it, ensuring long-term safety and stability of your home.

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Prevents Further Damage

Stops the progression of cracks in masonry, walls, and prevents further structural shifting.

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Improved Garage Door Function

Resolves issues with sticking or binding garage doors caused by a distorted opening.

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Enhanced Curb Appeal

Addressing visible sagging and cracks improves the aesthetic appeal of your home's exterior.

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Peace of Mind

Provides confidence in the safety and stability of your home's structural components.

Benefits of Our Sagging Garage Lintel Solutions

Restored Structural Integrity

Permanently stabilizes the garage door opening and the structure above it, ensuring long-term safety and stability of your home.

Prevents Further Damage

Stops the progression of cracks in masonry, walls, and prevents further structural shifting.

Improved Garage Door Function

Resolves issues with sticking or binding garage doors caused by a distorted opening.

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Addressing visible sagging and cracks improves the aesthetic appeal of your home's exterior.

Increased Property Value

Investing in structural repairs protects and enhances the overall value of your property.

Peace of Mind

Provides confidence in the safety and stability of your home's structural components.

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Ask about our financing options

Cantey Foundation Specialists offers flexible, easy to understand financing options for homeowners. During our in-house visit, your specialist will help you find the financing options that work for YOU!

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What is a garage lintel?

A lintel is a horizontal beam across the top of your garage door frame. Lintels are made of brick, concrete, stone, or wood, depending on the home. They support the structural integrity of the garage door, and when compromised can lead to bowing, sagging, or cracked bricks above your garage door frame.

The cause of a sagging garage door frame is usually an undersized lintel. The lintel is simply not strong enough to hold up the weight of the bricks above, causing bowing in the middle at the weakest point. This also puts pressure on the brick veneer above, causing vertical or stairstep cracking that decreases safety, curb appeal, and home value.

But even garage lintels that are properly sized may fail over time due to corrosion. Old wood lintels may also become damaged from moisture or termites. If you’re noticing sagging, bowing, or cracking above the garage door header of your home, the rest of your home could be at risk for structural damage as a result.

Common signs of lintel failure include sagging or bowing above your garage door frame, typically in the center. Cracks may also appear in the bricks above the garage door, near corners or in the center. These lintel cracks are usually enough to confirm a failing garage door lintel.

Yes, a sagging garage lintel indicates a structural failure that can be dangerous. It means the lintel is no longer adequately supporting the weight above it, which could lead to further structural damage or, in severe cases, collapse.
The timeframe for repair depends on the severity of the sag and whether underlying foundation issues also need to be addressed. Simple reinforcement might take a day or two, while foundation work could extend the project.
In many cases, extensive demolition of the wall above is not necessary. Our methods often involve installing supplemental supports beneath the existing lintel or reinforcing it, minimizing invasiveness.
Not always. A lintel can sag due to being undersized, wood rot, or corrosion. However, foundation settlement can definitely contribute to or cause lintel failure by shifting the loads the lintel is designed to carry. A professional inspection will determine the exact cause.
By restoring the proper shape and support to the garage door opening, repair of a sagging lintel often resolves issues like sticking or binding garage doors that were caused by the structural distortion.

frequently asked questions about sagging garage lintel

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