fireplace lintel and cracked brickwork - Help

Joined
20 Jan 2014
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Location
Cardiff
Country
United Kingdom
Hi All,

My first post here but been using this site a lot recently - I'm hoping someone can help

I am currently reinstating the fireplace that had been ripped out and covered up in the past. The original opening had been bricked up, battened and plaster boarded. Having removed the plasterboard and battens it was clear the bricked up section was very poorly done and a lot of the bricks were loose so I took the top few layers off which were just pulled out with ease. In search for the lintel I started to hack off the render which just fell off as it had popped from the brick work but once the render was off i noticed that there is a big 'V' shaped crack above the lintel and have posted a pic.

I now don't know what to do. Before i uncovered this i was going to put a new lintel in lower down. Question is, can I get a new lintel in and block it up then parch up the crack and re-render. Or will I need to rebuild the brickwork once the new lintel is in as some of the bricks in the v section are loose and the whole section does move if you push on it.

Appreciate any advice

Thanks

Ollie
 
Sponsored Links
Thank you Blagard for the info and the link - really appreciated.

Having read the other posts I have a few questions that you can hopefully answer.

1. I just have one brick (in width) each side of the original opening (as per the pic) - can I cut out half the brick on each side to cement the lintel on? this would only leave half a brick to support the rest of the wall while i brick the opening back up. If yes, should I put the new lintel in before removing the old brickwork or after?

2. The current opening is too large (in width and height) so I am planning on bricking up the sides (by c. 2 brick each side) up to the new lintel height required - Can i just fit the new lintel inside the original opening on top of the new brickwork then brick all the way back up? This would allow me to leave the 1 brick support (instead of having to cut in to the original sides)? If yes, I think this would be the easier option for me.

3. The current opening is about 1100 in lenght - would a standard 100 x 65 concrete lintel be sufficient?

Thanks in advance
 
2. The current opening is too large (in width and height) so I am planning on bricking up the sides (by c. 2 brick each side) up to the new lintel height required - Can i just fit the new lintel inside the original opening on top of the new brickwork then brick all the way back up? This would allow me to leave the 1 brick support (instead of having to cut in to the original sides)? If yes, I think this would be the easier option for me.
What you suggest in "2" would be the best option, so do it that way.

A standard 100 x65 lintel will be fine to support the brickwork above, but if you plan on using the fireplace for an open fire then you may want to consider a lintel with a gathering. Sometimes called a Throated lintel click the link left for an example
 
Sponsored Links
Thanks Blagard - that should make things easier for me. As per your response to the other post - I take that as long as I leave the one brick each side of the opening in place then it would be safe to remove the triangle of brickwork?

On the throat lintel front - I am reinstating a cictorian cast iron fireplace with a wooden surround so a normal lintel should be fine as it will be covered up.

In relation to the cast iron insert, i'm hoping to utilise your expertise here again :) - do you know how this should be fixed to the wall? (this is the cast iron insert that fits flush to the wall, then the wooden surround on top to cover the join). However, the insert has no fixing loops or anything but needs to be fixed to a skimmed wall - can I just fix it with a bead of adhesive around the edge? If yes, is there a certain type of adhesive that is required for heat resistance, etc?

Thanks again

Ollie
 
I take that as long as I leave the one brick each side of the opening in place then it would be safe to remove the triangle of brickwork?
Yes.

In relation to the cast iron insert, i'm hoping to utilise your expertise here again :) - do you know how this should be fixed to the wall? (this is the cast iron insert that fits flush to the wall, then the wooden surround on top to cover the join). However, the insert has no fixing loops or anything but needs to be fixed to a skimmed wall - can I just fix it with a bead of adhesive around the edge? If yes, is there a certain type of adhesive that is required for heat resistance, etc?
Ah! now you have me! I have never fitted one of those and would check all literature. Ideally visit the website of the supplier and get specific instructions

Alternatively do the links below help?

http://www.victorianfires.co.uk/fitting_a_fireplace/cast_iron_insert_with_wooden_mantel.html Or
http://www.fireplacesareus.co.uk/shop/fireplace-fitting
 
The cast iron inserts just sit in place. The combination ones need to be fixed by the lugs, as the weight of the mantlepiece pulls them out.
 
Blagard - thanks again. Those links will come in handy :) Appreciate all your advise, will tackle the lintel over the weekend!

Stuart45 - thanks for your response. That would make sense as they have legs and can stand freely. I assume that the fireplace is effectively held in place by wooden surround which is bonded to the wall? Again, if this is correct what adhesive should I use?

Thanks

Ollie
 
Blagard sorry, one additional question.

When bricking up the fireplace do I need to use a sand/lime mortar mix (due to the heat) - say 3/1 or is that too strong? I note that some people say to add cement as well

Thanks

Ollie
 
weekend!

Stuart45 - thanks for your response. That would make sense as they have legs and can stand freely. I assume that the fireplace is effectively held in place by wooden surround which is bonded to the wall? Again, if this is correct what adhesive should I use?

Thanks

Ollie

Normally screwed to the wall.
 
Blagard sorry, one additional question.

When bricking up the fireplace do I need to use a sand/lime mortar mix (due to the heat) - say 3/1 or is that too strong? I note that some people say to add cement as well

Thanks

Ollie

You don't need any special mix. In old properties a lime based mix was common. You can use a cement based mortar to patch that small area something like a 1.4 cement/sand mix would be fine.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top