Rusting metal causes major structural problems with buildings. Iron expands up to 25 times its original volume, and acts as a powerful ‘hydraulic jack’ – sometimes lifting entire walls of a building. Frequently seen examples include rusty lintels over windows, metal gate pins, rusting iron ‘cramps’ in decorative stonework, and rusting iron beams and girders used as support in buildings.
We have seen entire buildings lifted by several inches, and walls near to collapse.
A rusting iron lintel over the window is jacking the building and causing structural damage.
splitting jacking iron