Widening fireplace + adding lintel

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by Tobymcpherson, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Tobymcpherson

    Tobymcpherson New Member

    Morning all,

    Bought a house I'm doing some work on and have removed the gas fireplace to reveal a nice old fireplace. Its not quite wide enough for a freestanding wood burner so I'm hoping to removing half a brick from each side. I've removed plasterboard fairly high and cant see an obvious metal or stone lintel, only assuming the arched bricks do that job?!
    My question is can I remove the arched bricks to put a wider concrete lintel in? I could maybe even get away with putting the lintel in lower than the arch. I'll try and add a picture!

    Thanks in advance.
     

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    Last edited: Feb 17, 2020
  2. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    Do a search on Correct Size Lintel and tick search titles only box and info plus more is there
     
    Tobymcpherson likes this.
  3. Jitender

    Jitender Screwfix Select

    The brick arch is basically the lintel.
     
  4. Tobymcpherson

    Tobymcpherson New Member

    Thought this might be the case, doesn't look too sturdy to me! It's been there 100years though so not doing a bad job..:)
     
  5. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    You should be able to easily replace with a concrete lintel.

    In my old house i had arched bricks but they were higher up as when i opened it up it was good sized early victorian fire place size. I put in a new concrete lintel just below the arch as it was up quite a bit higher than yours.
     
  6. Tobymcpherson

    Tobymcpherson New Member

    Brilliant! How did you do it? Just remove the brick arch and pop a brick or so out either side?(I understand you have to have the correct overlap) I would imagine as the fireplace is so narrow it will be fine suspended for a very short period whilst I put the lintel in?!
     
  7. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    And even if it wasn't you would only get a max of 8 bricks dropping on your head which can easily be put back after you have put the lintel in
     
  8. Jitender

    Jitender Screwfix Select

  9. Jitender

    Jitender Screwfix Select

    1/2 brick (4") for bearing on each side is more than ample.
     
  10. Tobymcpherson

    Tobymcpherson New Member

    Excellent, thank you all for the advice! A job for the weekend I imagine. Will post some after pics if I remember.
     
  11. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    We love pics here
     
    Tobymcpherson likes this.

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