Do I need to replace wooden lintels when replacing DG?

[kirstent]

Hi All,
We are in the process of having an extension and are also planning to replace all our DG windows and doors since they are at least 15 - 20 years old.
Our BCO is a very lovely man who is including all our reroofing, boiler, electrical, DG and extension in same building notice (and associated single fee ) and is happy with what we've done so far.

Our roof is stripped and we are upgrading roof insulation before slating but have just clicked that the upstairs windows have just a wooden lintel above both brick courses and if we need to replace them we need to hold off on insulating and slating.
Lintels are just the width of the brick course and quite old but have been doing the job so far, just 2 brick courses above lintel and then the wall plate on inner leaf.
Are we going to need to replace with catnic type or concrete that we've used elsewhere - I am concerned about disturbing the old brickwork and doing more harm than good.

In addition, all of our downstairs windows have a wooden lintel on the inner leaf and no lintel at all on the outer leaf, just a brick soldier course over each opening. We have already reduced the width of one window, knocked through another window into a door opening and replaced with correct lintels and we had a hell of a time getting the soldier course out - stubborn little buggers.
We are pretty much resigned to having to at least put a lintel on the outer course but would we need to replace inner wooden one too. The openings vary but are 1200mm wide max.

We are thinking to use a Fensa approved installer for the windows, do we need to get BC involved in lintels or can we leave the apparently solid brickwork alone? Not necessarily trying to hide anything but don't want to get BCO out and have extra cost and disruption if there's no need.

Any help and advice much appreciated, many thanks
Kirsten

 

[tony1851]

Leave the timber lintels over the upstairs window if they are giving no problem (Ie no sign of rot or excessive deflection). If they are still serviceable, which they appear to be, no need to change.

For the downstairs, you can leave the timber lintels on the inner skin; over the outer skin, where the bricks may drop when the frame is removed, fit a steel angle. You can use a traditional hot-rolled angle, such as something like a 4 x 4, or Catnic make patented angles which are pre-coated, and usually a little lighter.

When fitting the angle, fit some damp-proof sheeting aross the cavity and draped down over the angle, so that any rainwater penetrating the outer bricks doesn't run down to the inside.

 

[^woody^]

I would avoid using any plain or painted steel angle iron for lintels. Always use a proper galvanised lintel

Lintels will need to be fitted externally, whether its prudent or necessary to replace internal lintels at the same time is something to consider or check and decide beforehand.

Lintel replacement/installation is never part of any FENSA work, and needs a separate application to the council