Vertical crack middle of window lintel

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Removing plaster from wall and reveals in bedroom and noticed crack in lintel.

The bungalow is a1960s build the lintel is concrete.

will it be ok to leave?

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19D89068-DC14-4D65-9327-35BB817055DB.jpeg
 
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As above.
something caused it to bow and crack and that something will still be there.

i prefer steel to stressed concrete.

replacement Pvc window frames can be a cause, and fwiw the frame should be set back a min of 75mm from the face of the building.
 
I shouldn't be surprised if that beam was cracked from day one.
Personally I wouldn't be bothered replacing it; it does't seem to carrying too much load, and the reinforcing wires will keep it together.

(Note: if it's a Boot lintel (which goe through to the outer skin) the steel wires may be susceptible to damp and therefore rust-problems, in which case it probably should be replaced)
 
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I shouldn't be surprised if that beam was cracked from day one.
Personally I wouldn't be bothered replacing it; it does't seem to carrying too much load, and the reinforcing wires will keep it together.

(Note: if it's a Boot lintel (which goe through to the outer skin) the steel wires may be susceptible to damp and therefore rust-problems, in which case it probably should be replaced)

Thanks,
It doesn't extend to the brick exterior it just holds the wall plate up. I don't see much bowing, the plaster on the front wasn't cracked (so maybe from day one as you said) and the roof tiles that were replaced last year are a third lighter than the old ones so I think I will leave it.

The window frame doesn't take any weight in fact the top of the window is in mid air in the soffit space.
 
OP, the idea is that we can only "see" whats in the pic - the pic shows a slight bow.
whereas you, on site, "I dont see much bowing" need to offer a spirit level up.

if the lintel was cracked by say crane dropping it into position then the crack would have been visible from day one until plastering took place - ie open to and during BCO's inspection.

the frame in the pic could be a replacement frame thats been wrongly repositioned almost flush with the brick face.
perhaps an original sturdy, solid wood frame with a mullion was originally supporting the lintel?
 
Correct.
And if your at that level of refurbishment why wouldn't you replace it.
It’s a time issue. Especially finding a builder at short notice to stick a steel in.
Any recommendations in the Walsall area?
 
I have noticed there are some sort of rectangular inserts in the concrete lintel, maybe to fix the curtain tracks? One of the inserts is in the crack line.

As a result I am not keen on ignoring the crack now and I am going to replace it.

There’s no masonry above the lintel just the wooden wall plate and rafters bearing down on it.

Am I ok to use a box lintel instead of a concrete one?
 
you could call Catnic tech dept with your pics and length of the existing conc lintel (probably about 10ft) and get a suitable replacement lintel.

dont try and replace it on your own. professional help is best.
 
you could call Catnic tech dept with your pics and length of the existing conc lintel (probably about 10ft) and get a suitable replacement lintel.

dont try and replace it on your own. professional help is best.

I called Catnic technical. I found them to be very helpful. They asked a few questions and specified a heavy duty box lintel.
 
Unfortunately the Lintel Catnic recommended is 215mm high and I only have 190mm of headroom.

I looked at replacing like for like but new pre-stressed lintels for 3000mm length come in at 215mm high also.

Can anyone suggest what I should do?

I am thinking worse case scenario is to use a extra heavy duty cavity lintel and replace the window to match the shorter gap?

Any suggestions very welcome.
 
how come you didn't supply Catnic with full dimensions? you could go back to them?

anyway, there's surely a steel lintel of some kind out there, for instance 178mm x 102mm or 152mm x 102/90 RSJs are available.
a 178 RSJ will support 19kg/m.

RSJ's will sag a bit over time but only a few mm's.
 
Catnic original advised over the phone
It was their email response that discussed the headroom.

I am going to change the window next summer so I can lower the headroom and install a shorter window
 

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