Horizontal Crack in Brick Wall Above Garage Door: What It Means and What to Do

1. Look, I get it. You’re standing there staring at a crack running straight across your brick wall right above the garage door, and your mind’s racing: “Is this the start of a disaster? Am I looking at thousands of dollars in repairs? Should I panic?” First things first — take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and a horizontal crack in brick is one of the more common issues I see in my 20 years as a home inspector and former mason. Pretty simple.. The good news? It’s not always an emergency, but it’s definitely not something to ignore or slap on with caulk and hope it goes away. Why Are You Seeing a Horizontal Crack Above Your Garage Door? When you see a crack above a window or garage door in a brick wall, that’s your house’s way of telling you it’s under stress. The brick wall isn’t just a pretty face — it carries weight, holds up part of the structure, and transfers loads from the roof and upper floors down to the foundation. Above the garage door, the wall has a big opening — which means there’s less brick holding things up directly. The bricks above that opening depend on a steel or wood beam called a lintel to carry the weight across the gap. If that lintel fails or the bricks shift, you get cracks. Common Causes of Horizontal Cracks Above Garage Doors Lintel failure: Over time, steel lintels can rust and lose strength, or wooden lintels can rot and sag. This causes the bricks above to settle or spread out, leading to horizontal cracks. Settlement of foundation: If the foundation beneath your garage or wall settles unevenly, it can pull or push on the brickwork, causing cracks to form. Thermal expansion and contraction: Bricks and mortar expand and contract with temperature changes. If the joints were poorly done or there’s no expansion joint near the opening, cracks can develop. Poor construction or materials: Sometimes bricks are laid over undersized or inadequate lintels, or mortar was mixed poorly, weakening the wall. Is a Horizontal Brick Crack Bad? Short answer: It depends. But if you’re here searching “is horizontal brick crack bad,” you’re smart to be concerned. Horizontal cracks, especially above an opening like a garage door, generally indicate a structural issue that needs attention. Think of the brick wall like a bookshelf holding up heavy books. The garage door opening is like removing a big chunk of that shelf. The lintel is the board spanning the gap. If that board weakens, the shelf sags or splits, and you get cracks. Here’s what to watch for: Width of crack: Hairline cracks (less than 1/8 inch) are usually less severe, but anything wider than that means movement is ongoing or significant. Length and pattern: A long, continuous horizontal crack spanning across the length of the lintel is more serious than a short, isolated one. Changes over time: Is the crack growing wider or longer? That’s a red flag. Associated signs: Look for sagging bricks, rust stains, mortar crumbling, or bulging walls. Lintel Failure Signs to Watch For

2. Since the lintel carries the load above your garage door, its failure is the most common culprit behind horizontal cracks there. Here’s how to tell if your lintel is giving up: Rust stains on bricks: If the lintel is steel and rusting, you’ll often see reddish-brown streaks on the bricks below. Crumbled or missing mortar: Rusting steel expands and can push mortar out, causing joints to crumble or fall away. Sagging or bowing bricks: The bricks above the lintel may start to sag or bow forward, which is a serious warning. Horizontal crack directly on or just above the lintel: This is a classic indicator. What Should You Do If You Have a Horizontal Crack Above Your Garage Door? Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. Here’s a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to handling this common problem: Document the crack: Take clear photos and measure its width and length. Make notes if you notice any changes over time. Check for other signs: Look for rust stains, sagging bricks, or mortar crumbling as described above. Do a simple tap test: Walk over to the wall and tap on the bricks around the crack and lintel with the handle of a screwdriver or your knuckles. Hollow sounds or loose bricks mean the mortar or bricks are compromised. Call a qualified home inspector or structural engineer: Getting a professional assessment is not about scaring you or selling a full rebuild. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) recommends inspections to determine the severity and cause of cracks in brick walls. Don’t “fix” the crack yourself with caulk or paint: This is a pet peeve of mine. Caulk won’t solve the underlying structural problem, and paint just hides it. You’re basically putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone. Typical Repairs for Horizontal Cracks Above Garage Doors Depending on what the professional finds, here are the usual fixes: Tuckpointing: If the mortar joints are crumbling but bricks are intact, removing the old mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar can stabilize things. Lintel replacement or reinforcement: If the lintel is rusted or damaged, it often needs to be replaced or reinforced with steel plates or additional support. Brick replacement: Severely damaged bricks above the lintel may need to be removed and replaced. Address foundation issues: If settlement contributed to the crack, foundation repair or leveling might be necessary. Think about it: in many cases, you don’t need a full wall rebuild. I’ve seen plenty of homes where a well-done lintel repair and tuckpointing stopped a crack in its tracks, saving homeowners thousands. Preventing Future Cracks and Keeping Your Brick Wall Healthy Maintenance is key. Here’s what I recommend to keep your brick walls solid for decades: Keep water away: Bricks don’t like sitting in water. Make sure gutters and downspouts direct water well away from your garage wall. Poor drainage is a huge culprit in brick damage. Watch for rust and corrosion: If you spot rust stains or crumbling mortar, act fast before the lintel weakens. Regular inspections: Every year, walk around your home and look for cracks, loose mortar, or bulges in walls. Control vegetation: Don’t let vines or bushes grow up on your brick walls — roots and moisture can damage mortar. Final Thoughts Horizontal cracks in brick above garage doors are a common but serious signal that your wall needs attention. Don’t ignore it or cover it up with caulk — that’s just kicking the can down the road. Instead, document what you see, look for lintel failure signs, and have a qualified professional inspect it. Most often, the fix is straightforward and affordable: tuckpointing and lintel repair, not a full rebuild. Remember, your brick wall is like the spine of your home's exterior — if it’s cracking, yourhomify.com the sooner you address it, the better off your home will be in the long run.

3. For more detailed guidance, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) offers resources and certified inspectors who can help you figure out what’s going on and what to do next.