How to clear a lintel

dander

Hiya, I want to put a curtain over my front door. If I was to put the pole above the concrete lintel (for ease of drilling) how high above the door would I need to go?

themacster

Depends on the lintel... Are you sure it's concrete? What age is your house and is it cavity wall? As it's an external wall the lintel may well be 225mm deep so aim for 250mm or so, but it might only be 150mm deep or even 75mm if its a prestressed one. Trouble is if you don't know for sure what type of lintel you've got you can't say for definite, it could be a steel one in which case you might be able to self-tap screw into the back of it; could be an open backed steel one in which case there'll be blockwork infill to the back and you can plug directly into this. Plump for 250mm and you should be ok

dander

Hmm, I just assumed it would be concrete. It's an old house with solid walls, so going 250mm up sounds like the best idea - thanks:beer:

themacster

dander wrote: »

Hmm, I just assumed it would be concrete. It's an old house with solid walls, so going 250mm up sounds like the best idea - thanks:beer:

Almost certainly will be concrete then. What's visible on the outside, a brick arch or soldier course, or is it rendered? If you're unlucky, it could be timber if a very old house...

dander

Yep, I'm rendered I'm afraid. If it's anything like the windows, then it's certainly something very hard, (hence the plan to avoid it for an easy life!) so I don't think I've got timber.

optimus_primera

Go and hire an SDS Hammer drill, buy/hire a good SDS drill bit, then fix a batten to the wall, allowing you then in future to change curtain rails etc without having to affix to the wall.

ormus

you dont need to hire an SDS drill anymore, they are only 39 quid to buy.
screwfix.

test by drilling small test holes up the wall. you can fill the holes afterwards.

optimus_primera

Yes but there are SDS drills, and there are SDS drills ........

ormus

yes. and the screwfix SDS drill is good enough for a lifetimes domestic DIY useage.

optimus_primera

I suppose, but i was thinking the OP didn't want to buy a drill just to put up a curtain rail.
Don't scrimp on the drill bit though ......

natlol

Too be fair...I have had the cheap SDS drill from screw fix. I am a light DIYer and I am on my 3rd in four years.