10 FIELD GUIDE TO SLAT REPAIR & REPLACEMENT Pay particular attention to the support beams under the slats. According to slat replacement specialists at Altenburg Construction beams are many times a bigger cause for concern that the slats themselves. Deterioration of support beams is the cause of most catastrophic slat failures. Deteriorated beams shown with slats removed. Note the deep cracking, indicating damage to interior support rods. As they age, beams tend to develop cracks in the areas above the columns. Moisture seeps through the crack reaching the bottom support causing the rebar to rust. The rusting metal expands breaking the concrete causing the lower portion of the beam to fall off. A dangerous situation occurs as the structural integrity of the support lintel is compromised.
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