Knoxville Brick & Lintel Repair

Protect Your Home with Brick & Lintel Repair Services

Knoxville's unique climate—marked by four distinct seasons with humid summers and occasional winter snow—presents specific challenges for homeowners. The constant cycle of moisture and temperature fluctuations stresses bricks and mortar, leading to cracks, water infiltration, and potential foundation issues. Left unchecked, these seemingly minor imperfections can escalate into costly structural problems that affect your home's stability and aesthetic value.

Structural integrity and visual appeal are interconnected. Cracked bricks, damaged mortar, or sagging lintels mar the look of your property and signal deeper, underlying issues. Timely, professional repair protects your home from the elements, preserving its value and functionality.

At USS Knoxville, we bring over 30 years of experience serving the community and the surrounding areas, addressing everything from cracked brick facades to failing garage lintels. Our services go beyond surface-level fixes. We address the root causes of issues, such as water intrusion or shifting foundations due to erosion or other soil conditions. Our team is known for open communication, keeping homeowners informed every step of the way, and following through on our promises to deliver high-quality, durable repairs.

Whether your garage lintel is sagging or cracks have appeared in your brick walls, we have the skills to help restore your home's strength. Call us at (423) 320-8883 or message us online to schedule a consultation.

Performing Mortar Repair with Tuckpointing

Cracked or deteriorated mortar detracts from your home's appearance and leaves it vulnerable to water damage. We use a technique known as tuckpointing, which can help restore your masonry's durability and visual appeal, protecting it from future damage.

Tuckpointing involves carefully removing deteriorated mortar and refilling the joints with fresh cement. This repair method strengthens the structure while enhancing its appearance. Beyond aesthetics, tuckpointing is crucial in preventing water penetration—a major cause of mortar degradation. Filling gaps with new, well-compacted mortar helps fortify the structure against further moisture intrusion.

Our tuckpointing process involves the following:

• Carefully removing damaged mortar: Our team begins by chiseling out the damaged mortar to help the new mortar bond.
• Filling with fresh cement: We refill the gaps with high-quality cement, which can restore the strength of your masonry.
• Replacing brick (when necessary): Sometimes, individual bricks may be too damaged to remain in place. When that happens, we can replace them with bricks that match the original as closely as possible. While color-matching depends on the home's age and the availability of materials, we strive for a seamless, consistent look.

We believe that lasting repairs begin with identifying and addressing underlying structural issues. That's why we offer tuckpointing as part of a broader foundation repair service—not a standalone option. Before tuckpointing, we thoroughly inspect your foundation for movement or water infiltration signs.

Garage Lintel Repair Services

Lintels are structural components that bear the weight of bricks and masonry above openings such as garages. For many homes, garage lintels are among the largest, with some spanning as long as 18 feet. These structural elements can weaken due to heavy loads, environmental factors, and material deterioration. Promptly addressing lintel issues is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your home's exterior and preventing more extensive repairs.

Several factors can contribute to lintel failure, including:

• Heavy weight distribution: Garage lintels must support significant masonry loads. This pressure can lead to bending or sagging if the lintel's material is compromised.
• Steel corrosion: Most lintels are made from steel, which is prone to rust, particularly when exposed to moisture, causing the lintel to weaken.
• Cracked bricks and walls: If the masonry around a lintel shows signs of cracking, it exposes the steel to more moisture, accelerating corrosion. This problem is often compounded by uneven settling in the home's foundation.

Signs of Lintel Damage to Watch For

Being proactive about repair can save homeowners from costly structural problems in the future.

Some early signs of lintel damage include:

• Cracked bricks or walls: Look for horizontal or stair-step cracks around doors or garage openings.
• Sagging lintel: As the damage worsens, the lintel may begin to sag or bend under the load it supports.
• Water penetration: Rust stains or signs of water infiltration near the lintel indicate that moisture has compromised the structure.

Our lintel repair process is thorough and efficient:

• Stabilizing the structure: We install temporary supports to relieve the load from the damaged lintel during repairs.
• Removing damaged materials: We carefully remove bricks and mortar surrounding the lintel to expose the corroded steel.
• Reinforcing with lag bolts (if necessary): In cases where additional support is required, we install lag bolts to enhance structural integrity.
• Replacing bricks and mortar: Once the repair is complete, we replace the removed materials to help restore the masonry's function and appearance.