Lintel repair

[mrjoe]

Hi all, I want replace some windows with double glazing and a couple of them show signs that the lintels are damaged (see picture). Can anyone advise what's the best thing to do to repair this before removing the existing window?

Untitled

• mrjoe
• 3 Sep 2013
• 1

 

[^woody^]

It looks like those soldiers are resting on the frame. The internal lintel is normally ok, but you will need to install a tray lintel externally before changing the frames.

 

[mrjoe]

Thanks for the reply Woody,

I'm no expert, does that mean removing the soldiers and a few bricks either side, putting in a length of angle iron, then replacing the bricks or is there an easier way?

 

[mrjoe]

Would it be possible to reinforce them without removing any bricks, like the solutions offered in either of the below links?

http://thorremedial.com/lintel-reinforcement.html

http://www.helifix.co.uk/applications/repairing-brick-arch-lintels/

 

[^woody^]

Would it be possible to reinforce them without removing any bricks, like the solutions offered in either of the below links?

http://thorremedial.com/lintel-reinforcement.html

http://www.helifix.co.uk/applications/repairing-brick-arch-lintels/[/QUOTE]

No, none of those support the wall directly above the frame

 

[^woody^]

Thanks for the reply Woody,

I'm no expert, does that mean removing the soldiers and a few bricks either side, putting in a length of angle iron, then replacing the bricks or is there an easier way?

Not angle iron unless it's galvanised. Buy a proper lintel.

 

[i_am_fubar]

As a note. IG lintels are generally cheaper than Catnic, but harder to get.

I found some of the online merchants are infinitely cheaper than places like T&P. For example, a 2.7m IG tray lintel from Buildit4less was under £50 inc vat. T&P were charging £150 + vat for a Catnic one.

It may be worth putting in a helifix bar 2-3 courses over the soldier bricks to stabilize the wall while you fit the lintel (acro's still needed I would imagine).

And officially, you'll probably need a cavity tray too.

Fubar.

 

[mrjoe]

The two links seem to suggest that a few carefully placed helifix bars would suffice. Not to building regs, I'm sure but as a repair surly it would be enough to get it though a survey.

It's a project and cost is key. I'd feel confident grinding out some mortar and putting helifix bar in but taking half the wall out might be pushing my skill/knowledge and sounds a lot more expensive.

What's the bottom line as a minimum to get it though a survey. If these company offer it as a solution, surely it must work? Or am I being naive?

 

[i_am_fubar]

Unfortunately, the wall is compromised and there are no remedial quick fixes.

The ties would stabilize the brickwork, but aren't a substitute for a lintel.

What are the current frames made out of, and what is the span?

A good surveyor would pick up on a bodge and it could actually do more harm than good from a valuation stand point. Especially if the glazing isn't FENSA installed.

You won't need to take out half the wall. Maybe the soldiers and no more than 20 other bricks.

The only difficulty I could see is that the bottom of the soldiers aren't on a horizontal mortar run and so you would need to chop bricks to get the lintel flat.

Assuming you have all the tools (trowel (or hands you don't care about), bucket, pencil, grinder, chisel (or screwdriver) and hammer)

Get a lintel - £18
http://www.buildit4less.co.uk/product/view/cheap-ig-lintels/IG-single-wall-lintel/ig-l10-1200.html

Few bags of sand and a bag of cement - £10-20

Plus some spare bricks (£0 - £5 depending on source)

Take bricks out in a triangle above window so they remain self supporting.

Remove and/or cut bricks to leave 150mm either side of the window.

Slide in new lintel from front and bed on strong mortar mix.

Re-brick above using regular mortar mix, ensuring all your frogs are packed (I find fingers are useful for this, but a pencil can also work).

Re-point.

 

[mrjoe]

Thanks for all that, really appreciate it!

It's on a house I am in the process of buying, it will be interested to see what the home buyers survey says about it..

I guess I'll give it a go!

The current frame is wood and its one metre wide.

One more questing, does that mean as long as I remove the bricks in a triangle above window there's no need for acro's?

Thank again

Joe