Windows and Lintels - Ventrolla

Furts

Ruski wrote: »

So what is now supporting the internal brickwork? There's no way a 4x3 would be used as part of the sash frame tbh. And it wouldn't be extended into the brickwork.

The only way this is acceptable is if the internal brickwork is also self-supporting - but as there's (was!!) a huge chunk of timber under it I very much doubt it!

The external brickwork is fine it's not an issue, the internal is more concerning.

Russ

On balance, I agree with this. It looks like a checked reveal where the original window butted tight up to the back of the facework. The timber lintel carrying the inner part of the solid wall prevented the original window going full height so this would have had a cladding, or cover strip, detail. The "arch/lintel bricks" could have returned into the room but instead are for show. Their return has been substituted by a timber lintel.

If we are all correct in how we view this, then the verdict is the job is being bodged, the work is structurally unsound and the windows should be condemned. Further extensive repairs are required to the home to put it back into the position it was in before the works commenced.

Clairebare, I do not wish to alarm you but it looks like you have a serious problem here. I have asked if the company is reputable - you have replied with their trading time which is an irrelevance. I have also explained the legal side to you. Please take note of the advice being given to you and get this work stopped and checked out before it progresses any further.

We may all be wrong - only you know because you are there to investigate. But your photos definitely raise technical questions that require technical answers.

Clairebare1

I feel like crying.
I have phoned our local council and a building control officer is coming out this afternoon, so he should be able to confirm one way or the other.
I really hate the fact that I questioned this piece of wood on a couple of occasions and sort of fobbed off - gggrrrr, not a happy bunny.

Clairebare1

To answer your question stevie, the piece of wood, as far as I know, had no fixing from the sash attached to it, it was completely separate. I saw it there in a couple of the windows with no other part of the sash or frame remaining.

Stevie_Palimo

Clairebare1 wrote: »

To answer your question stevie, the piece of wood, as far as I know, had no fixing from the sash attached to it, it was completely separate. I saw it there in a couple of the windows with no other part of the sash or frame remaining.

With this in mind then Claire I would say you have every right to be concerned and did not want to say anything that could cause upset unless it was a positive issue, I think they may have pulled out what seems to be a small internal wooden lintel that allows the bricks above to rest on. No call for this as the new pvc windows butt up to the outside wall and should have sat lower than it.

Clairebare1

You will all not be surprised to hear that the building control officer confirmed they are (or should I say were) lintels!
I have now spoken to a structural engineer who should be here within the next hour!
I am at a loss to how they could do this and how many others peoples they may have done the same to and they are totally unaware of the danger they could be in!
Its probably only being nosey and asking questions we have got where we are now, otherwise we would have been none the wiser and been living in a structurally unsound property!
I think I need a very sweet cup of tea to swallow all this!

SuzieSue

Clairebare1 wrote: »

You will all not be surprised to hear that the building control officer confirmed they are (or should I say were) lintels!
I have now spoken to a structural engineer who should be here within the next hour!
I am at a loss to how they could do this and how many others peoples they may have done the same to and they are totally unaware of the danger they could be in!
Its probably only being nosey and asking questions we have got where we are now, otherwise we would have been none the wiser and been living in a structurally unsound property!
I think I need a very sweet cup of tea to swallow all this!

Unbelievable. Unfortunately, I am not surprised.

We must be the only country to have a completely unregulated building trade.

What have the window fitters said?

Ruski

I'm gutted for you - I really am - which is why I suggested that you take action now and get the BCO involved - and you have which is brilliant and will save even more heartache in the future.

Be positive - you have caught these cowboys with their trousers down and you can whip their asses until a satisfactory outcome (lintels!!) are fitted.

Keep us posted - we need a positive consumer driven MSE victory to gloat about

Best of luck - go get 'em!

Russ

Clairebare1

The window company have said not a lot really. I told them the situation and they were going to call me in the morning to see the outcome of the structural engineer.
I think I need to put a rocket up their a#se tomorrow and get them to come and have a look at what they have done!
The largest window they have taken the lintel from is just over 2.3 metres (a triple sash) and is having 2 acros put in tonight to support the wall above.
The structural engineer is going to do a report and we will go from there!

Clairebare1

Hi Ruski
Thank you for the advise of the BCO, I really didn't have a clue where to start to be honest, and everyones advise was much needed.
I don't think they were expecting me to do this and that I would happily believe the rubbish they told me about the lintels. Like you say, caught with their trousers down.
I can guarantee that as soon as my husband is back he will be cracking that whip to get this sorted.
Will give updates, thanks so much again - will try and stay positive :-)

Ruski

Pictures, reports, evidence, phone calls, texts... log it all at every stage.

Keep us posted - and keep smiling - the hardest bit has been done

Russ