Everything You Need to Know About Wooden Lintel Replacement
Also known as “beams” or “ribs”, lintels are the ‘backbone’ of your home’s structure. Located above doors and windows, they support the load to offer strength. And when they weaken, the entire structure loses its stability. A wooden lintel replacement is sometimes unavoidable.
Suffering lintel failure? Noticed cracks? Fret not! We can help! You can easily replace the cracked lintels. Don’t know how? The guide answers your questions in depth and walk you through the basics of lintel replacement.
Identifying Lintel Damage/Failure
Noticed cracks in the masonry? There you go! Your cue to go for wooden lintel replacement. Looking for more evidence? Observe the surroundings for huge vertical cracks, large gaps or hairline. The lintel may also bend downwards and bulge the masonry.
Wondering what causes wooden lintel failure? Moisture can penetrate in the timber to cause a damp. Damp is a serious issue that leads to terrible structural problems. Timber may get affected by both wet and dry rot. The wood may also suffer insect damage from wood boring beetles.
Replacement of a Damaged/Failed Wooden Lintel
Want to maintain structural integrity? Don’t want to replace the lintel? Look for minimum disruption? Install a helical bar.
Does not work? Replace the damage/failed wooden lintel. You may need to remove the old lintel and use props to support the masonry. Wooden lintel replacement can be both disruptive and costly. You can get in touch with a structural engineer to get insight into the issue.
Installing a New Lintel
Inspect the wall to determine the load. Pull up the floorboards to identify the direction of the joists. Or ask a structural engineer.
Measure the size of the crack and add at least 145mm to the ends. Use props to support the load and remove masonry around the lintel. Install anchors above the lintel.
Use a chisel and a hammer to remove mortar surrounding the wall. Begin to remove the bricks around the wall to make room for adding a new lintel.
Lay a bed of mortar and install the lintel. Let the mortar be cured for at least three days before you do any other work on the area.
Viola! You have mastered the art of wooden lintel replacement.
Lintel Replacement Regulations and Expert Advice
Wooden lintel replacement requires structural work. You may need to get an authorization from the building officials. Get in touch with your local construction portal to get advice on the area’s regulations on lintel installment.
You need authorization to determine the weight of the load on the wall, decide what type of wall you are dealing with and how to deal with the issue. You may also not be able to identify the above-mentioned essentials without getting a professional analysis.
Hire an expert for to guide you from the beginning, from getting official authorization to determining the wall type to finding the best replacement solution to installing a new lintel. Looking for lintel experts in Liverpool? Structural Builders in Liverpool offer affordable wooden lintel replacement options for both residential and corporate buildings.