Structural Steel & Welding in Wilmington, DE

Structural steel comes up in remodels (removing a load-bearing wall and installing a steel beam), in masonry repairs (replacing rusted window and door lintels in brick homes), and in commercial work (mezzanines, platforms, and equipment supports).

Engineering first

Load-bearing steel should be sized by a licensed structural engineer, who provides drawings or a stamped detail. Your building department will typically require those drawings with the permit application. The welder and fabricator build to the engineer's specs. They shouldn't be guessing at beam sizes or welds.

Certified welders

Structural welding is commonly done by welders certified to the American Welding Society's structural code (AWS D1.1 for steel). Ask for current certification papers, especially if an inspector will review the welds.

Rusted steel lintels in brick homes

Many older brick homes in Wilmington and its suburbs have steel angle lintels over windows and doors. When they rust, they expand ("rust jacking") and crack the brick above. Repair usually means removing brick, replacing or treating the lintel, adding flashing, and re-laying the brick, a job that needs both a mason and often a welder or fabricator.