ᐅ Lintel heights too low – how complex is it to reposition the lintels?
Created on: 1 Jun 2015 22:41
F
Frank78Hi,
Over the weekend, I noticed that the masons installed only 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) of lintel height (measured from the top edge of the finished floor) in the (living) basement instead of the 2.135 m (7 ft) specified in the plans, which require all door openings to be exactly 2.135 m high. Now I also understand why the site foreman was so keen to ask if I had measured the lintels when I was checking the walls...
Before I start discussing this issue, I would like to understand what kind of impact this could have for the contractor. Six lintels are in load-bearing walls, two are not.
My rough idea of how to fix this would be as follows:
- Set up the formwork (Doka) with beams parallel to the opening
- Chisel out or break the half bricks above the lintel
- Loosen and lift the lintel, then support it underneath with half bricks and mortar
- Allow it to cure (is one day enough?)
- Remove the formwork
It’s hard for me to estimate how long these steps will take—and therefore how much it might cost. What do you think?
I could possibly come to the site on Friday—at least I’m capable of breaking out the brickwork if the formwork is set and one of the masons puts the lintels back in correctly. I probably wouldn’t have to, but if it helps keep things amicable...
Regards,
Frank
Over the weekend, I noticed that the masons installed only 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) of lintel height (measured from the top edge of the finished floor) in the (living) basement instead of the 2.135 m (7 ft) specified in the plans, which require all door openings to be exactly 2.135 m high. Now I also understand why the site foreman was so keen to ask if I had measured the lintels when I was checking the walls...
Before I start discussing this issue, I would like to understand what kind of impact this could have for the contractor. Six lintels are in load-bearing walls, two are not.
My rough idea of how to fix this would be as follows:
- Set up the formwork (Doka) with beams parallel to the opening
- Chisel out or break the half bricks above the lintel
- Loosen and lift the lintel, then support it underneath with half bricks and mortar
- Allow it to cure (is one day enough?)
- Remove the formwork
It’s hard for me to estimate how long these steps will take—and therefore how much it might cost. What do you think?
I could possibly come to the site on Friday—at least I’m capable of breaking out the brickwork if the formwork is set and one of the masons puts the lintels back in correctly. I probably wouldn’t have to, but if it helps keep things amicable...
Regards,
Frank
Hi,
the lintels are already in place; a friend and I uncovered them in (exhausting) six hours. By the way, it was my mistake—the execution plans only specified 2.135 meters (7 feet) for the ground floor. I should have paid more attention to that during planning. Now all further openings on and in the house will have a lintel height of at least 2.135 meters (7 feet).
the lintels are already in place; a friend and I uncovered them in (exhausting) six hours. By the way, it was my mistake—the execution plans only specified 2.135 meters (7 feet) for the ground floor. I should have paid more attention to that during planning. Now all further openings on and in the house will have a lintel height of at least 2.135 meters (7 feet).