County Tyrone · Northern Ireland
Lintel replacement in County Tyrone
If you live in County Tyrone and are looking at lintel replacement, the first question is why the wall moved. Most of County Tyrone is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east; parts of County Tyrone lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause.
Guide price from£660per opening inc VAT
- Area
- County Tyrone
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 4
Why does the ground in County Tyrone matter for lintel replacement?
Tyrone has glacial till over varied rock, with a small historic coalfield around Coalisland near Dungannon.
Parts of County Tyrone lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in County Tyrone: Market-town terraces, rural houses and post-war estates.
How we usually approach lintel replacement
Propping and needling
Adjustable props carry the wall above while the old lintel comes out. For heavier walls, short steel needles are passed through holes cut above the opening and propped on both sides, taking the load off the lintel completely. The supports stay until the new work has set.
Best for: Openings with heavy walls, upper floors or bay windows above
Replacement with a cavity tray
A damp-proof membrane is laid over the new lintel with stop ends and weep holes, so water running down the cavity is directed out rather than into the house. Many older lintels were installed without one, which is often why they failed.
Best for: Cavity walls with damp above windows
Like-for-like replacement
The failed lintel comes out and one of suitable type and size is bedded on mortar with adequate bearing at each end. Bricks above are relaid to match the original bond and the joints are pointed to blend with the surrounding wall.
Best for: Standard windows and doors with a single failed lintel
What happens during lintel replacement, step by step?
Inspect the opening
We look at the crack pattern, the type of lintel and what sits above it. Pictures of both faces of the window, plus any visible lintel edge, help us judge it before visiting.
Support the wall
Props or needles are set so the brickwork above carries no load on the old lintel. Windows are protected or temporarily removed where the work demands it, and the room inside is sheeted against dust.
Remove and replace
Brickwork is carefully taken out above the lintel, the old lintel removed and the new one bedded level on full bearings. A cavity tray goes in where relevant, then the brickwork above is relaid.
What to look for before calling about lintel replacement
- Soft, crumbly timber visible behind the brick face over a bay
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
Lintel replacement prices in County Tyrone
The ranges below reflect typical Northern Ireland costs for lintel replacement, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Standard window or door opening | £660 – £2,200 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £1,750 – £3,950 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £130 – £530 | per opening |
Do you need approval for lintel replacement in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 apply and the council’s building control service approves structural work such as underpinning; minor like-for-like repairs usually need no approval. The Party Wall Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, so work to shared walls depends on deeds and agreement with neighbours.
Find lintel replacement in your County Tyrone town
Questions about lintel replacement in County Tyrone
Why do houses in County Tyrone crack?
Tyrone has glacial till over varied rock, with a small historic coalfield around Coalisland near Dungannon. Parts of County Tyrone lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will lintel replacement cost in County Tyrone?
On Northern Ireland rates, lintel replacement starts from about £660 per opening, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Is it safe to live in the house during lintel replacement?
Yes, in almost all cases. The wall is fully supported before anything is removed, and the work is confined to one opening at a time. The affected room is sheeted against dust and kept clear while props are in place.
What is a cavity tray and do I need one?
A cavity tray is a damp-proof membrane above a lintel that catches water running down inside a cavity wall and sends it out through weep holes. If your wall is cavity construction and the original lintel had no tray, fitting one with the new lintel is usually sensible.
Do I need building regulations approval to replace a lintel?
In England and Wales, replacing a lintel is structural work and building control will usually need to approve it. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We deal with building control where the work needs it, and include the cost in the quote.