Lintel Safety Question

[steve181]

Hi All

I want to remove a bricked up window opening filled in 20 years ago to create a large door way. The exisiting concrete lintels on the internal and external walls are 7" x 4" but only rest on 100mm of brickwork either side. I've read that this should really be 150mm. Is is that the regs have increased the width and therefore I would need to either replace with a larger lintel which is problematic or one idea would be to site a new lintel directly under the old creating a full 150mm overhang onto original walls?

Any thoughts please.

Ta
S

 

[jeds]

A 100mm bearing might be ok. Depends on the span of the lintel, the load above it and the compressive strength of the bearing masonry. You say it was blocked up 20 years ago so it hasn't been under load for that time. But if it was under load for any significant length of time before then without causing any problem then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[steve181]

Thanks for that, the opening is 5' 3" with the lintel 100mm plus either side, supporting external wall and first floor/roof etc. Its just looks a bit short. Considering builders to quote to see options and confirm either way.

Thanks again.