cracked lintel

[cap1]

hi, looking for some advice on cracked concrete/steel lintel on a 1948 house.
18 months ago there was a crack about 2.5 feet long running horizontal 2 inch from the bottom of the lintel, this was picked up on the top survey when i bought the house as general movement and not seen as a problem. the crack is now 1/2 inch wide and seems to have broken away from the main part of the lintel. the broken part is 2inch wide but only seems to be the corner of it.
i had both cavity wall ins and wall ties put in recently, and need to know if the vibration from the drilling could cause the crack to worsen.
The windows have been badly fitted by previous owner, could this be part of the cause
1, should i get a structural engineers opinion
2, take off the broken area and repair with cement etc
3, worry or is this just part of the life of a house
4, does the steel in lintels rust to the point to change it?
any advice appreciated
cheers View media item 12819 View media item 12820 View media item 12825 View media item 12825

 

[stuart45]

Can you put a photo on?

 

[Shytalkz]

A photo would help, but it sounds like it's delamination and spalling, due to rusting of the reinforcing.

Repair or replacement is dependent on extent of rusting. Either won't be particularly cheap. You will need SE input on this.

This should have been identified at the survey stage. Suggest to the surveyor that he might like to inform his insurers and take it from there.

 

[^woody^]

You will need SE input on this.

To change a rusty old lintel?

Why ... are you going to help lift that heavy thing out? lol

If the lintel has spalled, then depending on the extent it will need changing sooner or later. Just a new lintel, no problem, no reports NO engineers ... just a quote from a builder

A local repair and soaking it with Thompsons may put it off for a while, but replacement is most likley inevitable at some stage

For repairs, use a specialist epoxy mortar, and treat any expose metal first. This is what we have been doing on Spaghetti Junction for the past 20 years ... and its still up. lol

Also check the brickwork above for defective pointing which may allow the wall to become too wet

 

[Shytalkz]

Uh duh SE advice as to whether or not it needs replacing. It's not really builder land to advise on efficacy or longevity of the repair alternative is it.

 

[cap1]

Sorry new to this, whats SE?

 

[Shytalkz]

A God, deity, all-seeing eye. Not to be confused with a surveyor, who knows jack-shi'ite.

 

[Shytalkz]

Actually, now that the pix are up that looks like a render panel that might have been dislodged when the plastic monstrosities were installed.

Woods/Nose, what say you?

 

[cap1]

thanks for that.
no doubt you know your stuff in your profession but you come across as a joker. this dilutes the credibility of your message, this could be important someday.
aprreciate your valuable input, the lintel is cracked and its not render.
i think il get some builder quotes, maybe an SE (ta) as it seems to important to ignore, cheers for your time

 

[noseall]

Actually, now that the pix are up that looks like a render panel that might have been dislodged when the plastic monstrosities were installed.

Woods/Nose, what say you?

The lintel looks (to me) as though it has not been rendered at all. From the image it looks like faced concrete.

 

[cap1]

You're right its not rendered just painted. Its the same material as far back as you can see, also you can just see the edge of a steel bar. see new close up pic.
Just not sure if it needs replacing? but will get some people out to have a look.

thanks

 

[^woody^]

but you come across as a joker.

Ha ha ha, Shy ... he's got your number.

But the way the crack ends mid-span, then yes it may have something to do with the window install.

Things look fine around the lintel edge, so once that cracked bit is removed, if the bars are not significantly corroded, then it can be repaired

 

[cap1]

thanks people