My builder used steel reinforced concrete beams instead of the specified steel I-beams. The concrete beams themselves are strong enough, but only 10cm of the concrete sits on a padstone, and it needs to be at least 15cm. The upshot is they need to come out and be replaced with steel.
The span is small (1100mm) and access is quite straightforward, so I'm sure it's an easy job for a builder (a new builder, not the original). Once the bottom course of brick is removed, there is almost exactly the correct amount of space for the steel.
My question is, how will the builder make sure the steel sits flush and firm against the underside of the bricks? If I see him using metal shims between the steel and the padstones, is this OK? If there is a few millimetres of space above the steel once installed, how should it be filled?
Thanks
The span is small (1100mm) and access is quite straightforward, so I'm sure it's an easy job for a builder (a new builder, not the original). Once the bottom course of brick is removed, there is almost exactly the correct amount of space for the steel.
My question is, how will the builder make sure the steel sits flush and firm against the underside of the bricks? If I see him using metal shims between the steel and the padstones, is this OK? If there is a few millimetres of space above the steel once installed, how should it be filled?
Thanks