Fireplace Lintel problem!

[Anonymous]

We are renovating a 1905 semi and have just taken out a hideous modern fire and fireplace from the front room...and taken off all the concrete and render they put on the walls and have taken out all the extra bricks that were put in to make the opening smaller for the new fireplace. Problem is, we are left with damaged bricks and a modern concete looking lintel which has a crack in it, with one line of very damaged soldier bicks above the lintel. Therefore we are considering taking out the lintel and damaged bricks and replacing with a new lintel. There is no apparant archway (and we have taken the plaster off quite a way up to check) or any other lintel but I am slightly more concerned than my enthusiastic partner about pulling a lintel out and replacing it!! Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[Anonymous]

In a 1905 house, presumably your ultimate intention is to fit a fireplace of Victorian or Edwardian design. Since the firehole will therefore be quite small, does this leave you enough room to insert a new lintel under the cracked one? This would seem to be the most straightforward plan.

 

[Anonymous]

No it doesn't unfortunatly. We have a fireplace to go in which is of the era of the house (as opposed to a modern repro) and it's height would have meant that we would have to have moved the lintel up anyway as the last people just put the concrete one in straight uner the original bricks. Yes, it would have been easier but would have meant that we would have had to have had to have had a tiny fireplace!

 

[Anonymous]

Denise
I`ve just done the very job myself.

If your chimney breast is approx 1200mm wide and
brickwork at each side is standard 230mm and the brickwork is otherwise in reasonable condition...

knock a small hole through the face of the chimney breast ( just enough to take a 100x50mm piece of
wood ) about 600mm above where you want to
insert your new lintel. Poke a piece of 100x50 through the hole and prop it up from the hearth ( inside the chimney flue as well if poss. ) with more 100x50mm.
This will support the brickwork while you clear the
way to insert your new lintel. You can then brick up
any gaps above your new lintel. Leave it a few days
to set before you remove the supports.
Borrow a hard hat in case anything drops down
inside the flue....
good luck
Phil

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for that very straightforward answer. It is along the lines of what we have been discussing here but helps when someone else confirms it! My partner is rummaging for his hard hat ....following significant amounts of soot already having come down!
Will try it out next weekend now I think, many thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Denise
Good luck - talking of which - your partner could then
drop in on a local wedding to wish them luck !
cheers
Phil