How to tell if lintels were fitted

JimmyTheWig

Hi,

We've just had double glazed windows fitted.
The quote included lintels as it looked like we didn't have them.

Obviously wasn't watching them the whole time, but I didn't see any signs of lintels.
Now they are in I can see no signs of lintels having gone in.


We haven't been billed for them yet (there's still more windows to be done) so it may be when the time comes that they'll say they didn't need the lintels and so won't charge for them. Which is fine.

It may be that lintels were fitted and I didn't notice and haven't noticed the evidence. Which is fine.

Or it could be that they try to charge us for them when they haven't been put in. Which isn't fine.


So my question is, how do I tell if lintels have been fitted?
Would I see, either from the outside or inside, any evidence?

I was expecting them to make a great big hole in the wall (probably from the outside) to get the lintel in and so would now see a difference in mortar where the bricks have been put back.
Is that the case?


Thanks,

Jim

wallbash

You are very unlikely to see a modern steel lintel ,the bulk of the metal is in the cavity .

I was expecting them to make a great big hole in the wall (probably from the outside) to get the lintel in and so would now see a difference in mortar where the bricks have been put back.
Is that the case?

No, more likely just a removing the narrow mortar bed and sliding it in .

Google modern metal lintels , and you will see how little disturbance is now required.

JimmyTheWig

Oh I see.
I was expecting them to unload great big lumps of concrete out of the van.

So we take their word for it if they say they've been fitted?

Plumber90

If you say there are more windows to be done, then watch what they do on the next ones.

wallbash

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Oh I see.
I was expecting them to unload great big lumps of concrete out of the van.

So we take their word for it if they say they've been fitted?

See if they arrive with them ?
Inspect the brickwork very carefully ?

Or best bet, just talk to them.

pitkin2020

if it doubt ask, but ask the installers rather than the company directly. If the installers havent been told anything about the lintels they will say so and you will know. Just ask the right questions in general convo rather than going straight in with "you are fitting the lintels I ordered aswell aren't you"

thebaldwindowfitter

wallbash wrote: »

You are very unlikely to see a modern steel lintel ,the bulk of the metal is in the cavity .
No, more likely just a removing the narrow mortar bed and sliding it in .

Google modern metal lintels , and you will see how little disturbance is now required.

No this is not the case brickwork has to be removed the lintol just to hold outside brickwork is L shaped and goes up behind the bricks that need supporting.Only a flat bar can be inserted the way you say which isnt satisfactory

wallbash

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

No this is not the case brickwork has to be removed the lintol just to hold outside brickwork is L shaped and goes up behind the bricks that need supporting.Only a flat bar can be inserted the way you say which isnt satisfactory

But bricks carefully removed , lintel inserted, bricks reinserted, should still be nearly 'invisible' to the home owner.
As I said, google a modern steel lintel , don't confuse the home owner by mentioning, anything else.

thebaldwindowfitter

wallbash wrote: »

But bricks carefully removed , lintel inserted, bricks reinserted, should still be nearly 'invisible' to the home owner.
As I said, google a modern steel lintel , don't confuse the home owner by mentioning, anything else.

make your mind up originally you said simple removal of a mortar bed made no mention of brick removal to fit the lintol .The op should be able to tell by fresh mortar /cement around brickwork around top of window .after all the op did ask and you gave your response are you back peddling with your response to me .It is you who is confusing people here

Quote:
I was expecting them to make a great big hole in the wall (probably from the outside) to get the lintel in and so would now see a difference in mortar where the bricks have been put back.
Is that the case?
No, more likely just a removing the narrow mortar bed and sliding it in .

cyclonebri1

Look, it's simple, they can't have installed lintels unless you see a bare or newly plastered area about 9-12" high and extending 9" or so either side of the window or corresponding brickwork to the out side.

JimmyTheWig

Didn't mean to start an argument!
I'll definitely ask the installers when they come back. (And I agree with the "asking out of interest" approach, pipkin!)

Can't watch what they do next time as it's only bay windows left, which (apparently) don't need lintels.

Without wanting to cause more arguments, is there a consensus that the row of bricks above the window would have been removed to get a lintel in? I.e. the mortar between those bricks would be new?