Is there any need to treat a timber lintel?

[eon]

Hi all,
We have an external exposed timber lintel. As the title says, is there any need to treat this? I can't find a definite answer.
The lintel is over an upstairs window. Currently it's covered in several years worth of chipped non-pourous paint which I plan to remove.
There's also a few bolts and nails in it at odd angles. These don't seem to be doing anything. I suspect these where holding tv wires or brackets etc over the years.
It's holding up two courses of brickwork which had to be repaired earlier this year. There was a small patch of rot in the lintel but it did not appear large enough or severe enough to warrant replacing.
So I just plan to remove the paint, the nails etc and fill any holes. Is there any need to do anything further with it?
It is facing the sea, but is sheltered below the eaves and behind some guttering.
Thanks.

 

[malcolm]

I tend not to treat wood at all. If the wood is not going to get wet and can breathe (evaporate away water or pass water to the surrounding structure) it ought to last for ever. Even if it does get wet it will dry out if it can breathe.

It's waterproof coatings and cement that prevent breathing that normally rot wood.

 

[eon]

I tend not to treat wood at all. If the wood is not going to get wet and can breathe (evaporate away water or pass water to the surrounding structure) it ought to last for ever. Even if it does get wet it will dry out if it can breathe.

It's waterproof coatings and cement that prevent breathing that normally rot wood.

That makes total sense to me. I've seen lots of evidence to support this throughout our house. I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track. I feel more confident in my approach now, thanks Malcolm.

 

[Kearn]

What’s the timber? A decent hardwood, particularly oak just wants to be left to its own devices …

However, what’s the situation surrounding the lintel? Oak will last 500 years weathering happily, then turn into weetabix in 50 years once its been subjected to daily drip drip drip or pooling water die to modern materials or poor water management.

 

[eon]

What’s the timber? A decent hardwood, particularly oak just wants to be left to its own devices …

However, what’s the situation surrounding the lintel? Oak will last 500 years weathering happily, then turn into weetabix in 50 years once it’s been subjected to daily drip drip drip or pooling water die to modern materials or poor water management.

I’m not certain but I suspect it’s pitch pine as that is what was used throughout the building. Do you have any tips to identify if it is oak?

The surrounding bricks had been rendered. But the lintel itself was just painted, the layers of paint chipped away over time which I suspect allowed the timber to remain somewhat breathable. The render has been removed as it had delaminated considerably. The lintel is holding two courses of brick work just below the roof. Several of these bricks had completely turned to dust and they have since been relaid and repointed in lime. That’s how I was able to find the small patch of rot in the lintel. Thankfully the wall plate was good condition. (Not the case for other parts of the house unfortunately, but it’s been satisfying to repair!)

 

[aockenden]

I recently replaced a rotten lintel above a doorway on an outbuilding. I chose to heavily slather the new timber with linseed oil before installing it. Other than that, it’s had no treatment. I’m still deciding whether or not to lime-render over it.

 

[eon]

I recently replaced a rotten lintel above a doorway on an outbuilding. I chose to heavily slather the new timber with linseed oil before installing it. Other than that, it’s had no treatment. I’m still deciding whether or not to lime-render over it.

Thanks @aockenden, thats interesting. I hadn't considered linseed at all. I have some experience using it on hand carved utensils, and was under the impression it created a polymerized "skin". But now I'm learning it does allow for moisture permeability. Did you use a specific type of linseed oil for outdoors?

I've now stripped all the paint from the lintel and I'm certain it is some sort of pine. Potentially pitch as we have that elsewhere. The patch of rot does not seem too bad, I can see that it was caused by a combination or poor roof maintenance and water ingress. Furthermore, the render created a small lip preventing any water from getting away. It seems to be drying out well now. I'm hesitant to do any chemical hardening etc. From what I understand if I can keep it sheltered and dry it should be ok. I do have some holes to fill though from random nails and bolts.

 

[aockenden]

I just used sone leftover raw linseed oil I had and sone leftover tung oil as well I just remembered. It bubbled quite a bit as it soaked deep into the rough grain of the lintel.