Hoping someone can help. Have read lots of threads that are similar but not quite found the answer I'm looking for.
Getting a wood burner installed. Trying to do some of the work myself before the pro's come in on Thursday to finish. I am just about to pull the bricks out to reveal the builders opening.
On the invoice the guy has put in for the cost of a new lintel, I wondering if this is required seeing as there is an arch already there which has been doing a pretty good job keeping everything up for the last 100+ years. Wood burner people said the arch is normally supported by a metal strap which is no longer there. How important is this metal strap? What does it actually do?
Price of the lintel is fairly cheap so not too concerned about the cost but don't want to mess with original chimney if I can help it.
Pic shows how far I've got. Arch revealed (not so obvious in first pic), bricks at top loose and provide no support anyway.
Any feedback/responses appreciated. Thanks.
Getting a wood burner installed. Trying to do some of the work myself before the pro's come in on Thursday to finish. I am just about to pull the bricks out to reveal the builders opening.
On the invoice the guy has put in for the cost of a new lintel, I wondering if this is required seeing as there is an arch already there which has been doing a pretty good job keeping everything up for the last 100+ years. Wood burner people said the arch is normally supported by a metal strap which is no longer there. How important is this metal strap? What does it actually do?
Price of the lintel is fairly cheap so not too concerned about the cost but don't want to mess with original chimney if I can help it.
Pic shows how far I've got. Arch revealed (not so obvious in first pic), bricks at top loose and provide no support anyway.
Any feedback/responses appreciated. Thanks.