Casting a lintel in situ

[Antwerpman]

I have a cellar on my house and a lintel which used to be above the coal chute has rotted (it was wood). I thought that the easiest way to get around this problem was to cast a concrete lintel in situ. Is this a good idea?

I had intended to put a few reinforcing rods in place just for good measure, but any other hints or tips would be most welcome. The lintel does not have to support much as there is a steel lintel holding the external wall, and there is a door directly above this opening along with its own steell lintel

Thanks in advance

[masona]

Concrete lintel would be better but make sure the supports are in the right place before removing old lintel.You can get lighter strong metal lintel depending on your stress load.

[Antwerpman]

too late, the old lintel had rotted away and fell apart in my hands. Like I said there is not really much above it (a door with its own lintel) so I dont think it is suporting much.

Is there anything I should watch out for when casting the new one??

[masona]

Antwerpman wrote:

Is there anything I should watch out for when casting the new one??

Make sure the concrete a good ratio mix and do it asap.

[Antwerpman]

I was just planning on using a couple of bags of ready mix, will this be ok??

what do you define as a good mix ratio?? (the stuff I bought was for foundations)