How much to replace lintel?

Stuart788

After removing an insanely low arch (at the lowest point it was lower than 5ft) we found it covered up a slapdash attempt to prop up the lintel (most likely where there was once a window before the extension was built).

How much should I expect to be quoted to replace the lintel with a larger one that could fit into the walls on either side?


http://imgur.com/a/6BniW

Doozergirl

:eek:

That isn't being held up! You need acrow props immediately.

And you need a structural engineer. What's on either side of those walls and how thick are they? You don't appear to have enough bearing even for a new steel and may need to create some. SE should dictate how.

The left looks like it has none. The right looks like a thicker wall. How close is the other arch?

Stuart788

Doozergirl wrote: »

:eek:

That isn't being held up! You need acrow props immediately.

And you need a structural engineer. What's on either side of those walls and how thick are they? You don't appear to have enough bearing even for a new steel and may need to create some. SE should dictate how.

The left looks like it has none. The right looks like a thicker wall. How close is the other arch?

It is being held up on both sides by the brickwork which goes into and is part of the wall on both sides.; although it's hard to see from the pictures!

http://imgur.com/a/5YXBQ

On the right the lintel could go into the external wall ( ( this might be a bearing issue?) but on the left it goes through to the kitchen wall.

Furts

Stuart788 wrote: »

It is being held up on both sides by the brickwork which goes into and is part of the wall on both sides.; although it's hard to see from the pictures!

http://imgur.com/a/5YXBQ

On the right the lintel could go into the external wall ( ( this might be a bearing issue?) but on the left it goes through to the kitchen wall.

I am adding to the wise words from Doozergirl. This is a seriously dangerous situation. Do not be casual over matters and get it propped up, and properly, immediately.

You need both a design, and Buildings Regulations for this. Then it is vital the work is undertaken in a competent manner.

Stuart788

Furts wrote: »

I am adding to the wise words from Doozergirl. This is a seriously dangerous situation. Do not be casual over matters and get it propped up, and properly, immediately.

You need both a design, and Buildings Regulations for this. Then it is vital the work is undertaken in a competent manner.

Will get a SE out asap.
But it has been like this since the 1970's without issue, and wasn't picked up a structural survey I did several months ago (just got house).

Doozergirl

Stuart788 wrote: »

It is being held up on both sides by the brickwork which goes into and is part of the wall on both sides.; although it's hard to see from the pictures!

http://imgur.com/a/5YXBQ

On the right the lintel could go into the external wall ( ( this might be a bearing issue?) but on the left it goes through to the kitchen wall.

I can see exactly what it is being held up with, can see that those bricks go into the wall but it involves little physics and an awful lot of wishful thinking to keep that up. It may have been there for ages but it is not safe and is even less safe now it is recently disturbed. That is absolutely not how you support anything.

Acrow props are single figure £ to hire each for a week.

I've been doing this a long time now and I've seen some surpises, but I would not let my family into your house for as much as a cup of tea.

Your structural survey may not have picked it up as it is so bad, it may have looked like a decorative arch. If the surveyor tappped it, it would have been hollow. I think I might read the survey again though. There may have been mention of appropriate consents.

tonyh66

Stuart788 wrote: »

Will get a SE out asap.
But it has been like this since the 1970's without issue, and wasn't picked up a structural survey I did several months ago (just got house).

They wouldn't see it during survey, was it under plasterboard then?

The lintel is not supported by anything at the minute, the ends should be over the wall transfering the load down the wall, not sitting on those dodgy looking nibs cobbled together by a bricky running out of mortar. As advised get some props under it ASAP.

Stuart788

I've just hired some acrow props but the SE won't be able to come out till next week.

I wanted to get it fixed but I'd no idea just how dangerous it currently was.

It was hidden under a low arch in the room that the structural engineer advised us that we could easily remove.

Any ideas how much this will cost to fix?

Furts

Stuart788 wrote: »

I've just hired some acrow props but the SE won't be able to come out till next week.

I wanted to get it fixed but I'd no idea just how dangerous it currently was.

It was hidden under a low arch in the room that the structural engineer advised us that we could easily remove.

Any ideas how much this will cost to fix?

I do not wish to teach anybody how to suck eggs, but it is always prudent to brace through the Acrow Props. If you have not hired in any swivel couplers and scaffold tubes then take my post as a gentle memory jerker. Scaffold planks at the bottom would also be prudent - how good and level is the floor?

Make sure you have good clothing, safety helmet and someone with you when you do the job. It could all come loose if you are not careful.

A guess at the costs - calculations, steel(s), Buildings Regulations and a builder to do the work (cutting out, padstones, shimming, fire protecting, making good) would depend on all sorts including where you are. Say £1000+ as a stab at costings.

Stuart788

Furts wrote: »

I do not wish to teach anybody how to suck eggs, but it is always prudent to brace through the Acrow Props. If you have not hired in any swivel couplers and scaffold tubes then take my post as a gentle memory jerker. Scaffold planks at the bottom would also be prudent - how good and level is the floor?

Make sure you have good clothing, safety helmet and someone with you when you do the job. It could all come loose if you are not careful.

A guess at the costs - calculations, steel(s), Buildings Regulations and a builder to do the work (cutting out, padstones, shimming, fire protecting, making good) would depend on all sorts including where you are. Say £1000 as a stab at costings.

Thanks for all your help! That figure gives me something to work with when getting quotes and I appreciate all your advice.

Acrow props were installed (cheaply and efficiently) this afternoon and I am paying next to nothing to rent them. It won't be until next week that I get some proper quotes so I'll update when I have more info. In case anyone ever has a similar problem.