Windows replaced with no lintels

casper_gutman

I find it very surprising that what looks like a pretty modern house didn't already have some kind of lintels over the windows. It's not as if the old ones were traditional timber frames that I would expect could hold a wall up!

MikeJXE

FENSA REGULATIONS copy and paste 

Best Practice Note

Adequate means of support

It is essential to maintain the integrity of the building.

The necessity for an adequate means of support is dependent on the design of the structure. However, even if no such support is evident the Installation Company is responsible for assessing if one should be installed due to potential damage to the buildings structural integrity. If this additional work is required, the customer can be given the option to have it fitted by the Installation Company or independently.

The Installation Company cannot avoid the issue on the grounds that because there is no means of support over the existing window there is no requirement to fit one over the new. It is strongly recommended that the need is thoroughly investigated before work commences.

A disclaimer issued by the customer is an unacceptable practice and is likely to incur a FENSA non-conformity.

Every effort should be made at the time of survey to determine if an adequate means of support is either fitted or required. There will be instances where windows being renewed are replacements of the original load bearing timber frames but did not have the necessary means of support fitted. The construction material of the original windows should be established if possible as this may help in determining the requirement.

If the surveyor cannot establish this either way, both the customer and installation team should be notified as to the possibility or should seek the advice of a structural engineer.

In the worst case the installation team may only recognise the need after the removal of the existing frame. It is entirely the installing company’s responsibility to inform the customer immediately advising that an adequate means of support must be installed before the replacement window or door can be fitted. Clearly a situation to be avoided especially as this will incur additional time and cost to the customer not written into the original Contract 

stuart45

You need to get in touch with the company that did the work.

MikeJXE

Expanding your photos I would be more concerned about the large first floor window sag 

Thats the weight of the roof and I would expect the glass to crack very soon

Skintsaver

MikeJXE said:

Expanding your photos I would be more concerned about the large first floor window sag 

Thats the weight of the roof and I would expect the glass to crack very soon

Although that looks the worst there's no weight on top of those bricks the plastic trim is shaped around the bricks. There's alot of weight above the downstairs window.

Do I write them an email quoting the above from FENSA best practice, and ask them for a satisfactory outcome. Failing that take them to a small claims court?

They take complete liability and should pay for the corrective action as they continued against FENSA Rules. I even Explained my concerns about the possibility of no lintels 

MikeJXE

Skintsaver said:

MikeJXE said:

Expanding your photos I would be more concerned about the large first floor window sag 

Thats the weight of the roof and I would expect the glass to crack very soon

Although that looks the worst there's no weight on top of those bricks the plastic trim is shaped around the bricks. There's alot of weight above the downstairs window.

Do I write them an email quoting the above from FENSA best practice, and ask them for a satisfactory outcome. Failing that take them to a small claims court?

They take complete liability and should pay for the corrective action as they continued against FENSA Rules. I even Explained my concerns about the possibility of no lintels 

OH well thats says it all, the fitters knew there was a sag in the soldier course before they fitted the window

I wouldn't spend any monies yet 

You need to get them back and demand a structural survey 

Did you get a FENSA certificate ? 

Have a word with building control also 

MikeJXE

The main difference with the top and bottom window is the bottom has weight distributed evenly along it by the brickwork above 

The top window has the weight distributed every 600mm along it 

Skintsaver

MikeJXE said:

Skintsaver said:

MikeJXE said:

Expanding your photos I would be more concerned about the large first floor window sag 

Thats the weight of the roof and I would expect the glass to crack very soon

Although that looks the worst there's no weight on top of those bricks the plastic trim is shaped around the bricks. There's alot of weight above the downstairs window.

Do I write them an email quoting the above from FENSA best practice, and ask them for a satisfactory outcome. Failing that take them to a small claims court?

They take complete liability and should pay for the corrective action as they continued against FENSA Rules. I even Explained my concerns about the possibility of no lintels 

OH well thats says it all, the fitters knew there was a sag in the soldier course before they fitted the window

I wouldn't spend any monies yet 

You need to get them back and demand a structural survey 

Did you get a FENSA certificate ? 

Have a word with building control also 

I recieved a FENSA Certificate.

I will write a email demanding they instruct a chartered structural engineer at their expense to ensure the integrity of the building. And give them an opportunity to correct this 

MikeJXE

Thats good it shows they think they followed the rules and if it's proved they didn't they are in trouble

Ask building control to pop buy especially to look at that top window as you are worried about the roof 

stuart45

Is it a local or national company?