Cracked wooden beam.

[Flyfisher]

Fair point - the 'beam' I was referring to is the 'lintel' over the window.
But I agree with you about its condition and ability to continue providing the structural support it has been doing for the past 150+ years - has anyone given good reasons to doubt its condition?

 

[Gothichome]

Once again I agree with Cubist, the cracked joist is not an immediate concern or a safety issue, it is not structural, the good joists either side are taking the load for a long time. I think the idea of installing a telepost is a good idea though, this for two reasons, first your pease of mind, secondly you can use the the posts telescoping ability to slowly over time to raise the joist back into place. Once in place you can sister the joist for permanent repair and remove the post. This will take time I’m afraid. Saying this, the jacking post will need support underneath the post to transfer the loading to ground. This fix although for myself and many others here would be pretty straight forward, for many it may just be beyond their comfort level.
As for the sagging window, the span will dictate how heavy and type of beam will be needed, this is structural, once again not for the uninitiated. It will involve finding a way to jack up the sag notching out the the top corners of the framing and installing the new header beam. Can you take a picture of the outside of the window so we can see what type of build this is, I would assume a brick facade with wood frame structure.

 

[KnittersCottage]

Once again I agree with Cubist, the cracked joist is not an immediate concern or a safety issue, it is not structural, the good joists either side are taking the load for a long time. I think the idea of installing a telepost is a good idea though, this for two reasons, first your pease of mind, secondly you can use the the posts telescoping ability to slowly over time to raise the joist back into place. Once in place you can sister the joist for permanent repair and remove the post. This will take time I’m afraid. Saying this, the jacking post will need support underneath the post to transfer the loading to ground. This fix although for myself and many others here would be pretty straight forward, for many it may just be beyond their comfort level.
As for the sagging window, the span will dictate how heavy and type of beam will be needed, this is structural, once again not for the uninitiated. It will involve finding a way to jack up the sag notching out the the top corners of the framing and installing the new header beam. Can you take a picture of the outside of the window so we can see what type of build this is, I would assume a brick facade with wood frame structure.

Sadly it’s all rendered, but the builder did point out a patch of re-render where the texture is different and some cracks so it does look like some work has been done to cover it up or something.

I’m just a single girl, there’s no way I’ve got the confidence to fix this. The builder suggested adding in a steel and putting the joist back in place and adding new ones to take the weight as we’ve noticed some other cracks filled in.

 

[Gothichome]

Yes, I saw your post. If nothing else at least we have given you some ideas on how these issues could be repaired. Hopefully you will be better informed now when discussing with contractors. As I mentioned! The concepts are simple, It’s in the application that it get complicated.

 

[Cubist]

The internal brickwork above the lintel shows no sign of any cracks or breaks in the bricks or the mortar joints. Also, the heavy/multiple coats of paint previously applied to that section of brickwork shows no obvious evidence to suggest any recent movement or bowing of the lintel. Sorry to labour the point, but unless there is hard evidence to confirm that the lintel is rotten or seriously damaged then there is no reason for it to be replaced.

 

[Gothichome]

Cubist, your thinking the lintel has sagged under it’s own weight and there is another header is above the what we are seeing? If so, you are correct no issues here, just looks ugly.