Caernarfon · Gwynedd
Lintel replacement in Caernarfon
A lintel problem in Caernarfon, as anywhere, usually shows first as a crack climbing from the corner of a window. We look at what is actually spanning the opening, whether timber, steel, concrete or brick, and what has made it fail.
Guide price from£690per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LL55
- Population
- about 10,000
- Area
- Gwynedd
- Pricing region
- Wales
Is Gwynedd prone to ground movement?
We cover Caernarfon and its postcode districts LL55, part of Gwynedd, with a population of roughly 10,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Llangefni (8 miles), Bangor (9 miles) and Pwllheli (18 miles).
Most of Gwynedd is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Typical buildings in Gwynedd: Slate and stone terraces, chapels and cottages, Victorian seaside houses and post-war estates.
How much will lintel replacement cost in Caernarfon?
The ranges below reflect typical Wales 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 | £690 – £2,300 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £1,850 – £4,150 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £140 – £550 | per opening |
Which repair method suits a home in Caernarfon?
Inner and outer lintel replacement
Solid walls and some cavity walls carry separate lintels on the inside and outside faces. Where both have failed, each is replaced in turn, keeping the wall supported throughout. Internal plaster and reveals are then made good and redecorated where included.
Best for: Older solid walls with rotten timber across the inner face
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 when we carry out lintel replacement in Caernarfon?
Specify the replacement
We confirm the lintel type, length and bearing needed. For wide openings, bays or walls with unusual loads, an engineer may specify it, and where the repair needs an engineer’s design or sign-off we can arrange one.
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.
Signs you may need lintel replacement
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- Rust stains or flaking steel showing above the frame
Rules for lintel replacement in Wales
In Wales, the Welsh version of the Building Regulations applies. Underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control approval and inspection; like-for-like repairs often do not. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on party walls and excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations.
Lintel replacement in Caernarfon: questions and answers
How much will lintel replacement cost in Caernarfon?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Caernarfon start from about £690 per opening, including VAT, on Wales rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Caernarfon?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Caernarfon, including LL55, and from nearby places such as Llangefni and Bangor. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Is the ground in Gwynedd prone to subsidence?
Gwynedd and Anglesey are mostly hard rock with glacial deposits, so clay shrinkage is uncommon. Historic slate quarrying and metal mining have left tips and workings in places. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
How do I know if a lintel has failed?
The most common sign is a diagonal or stepped crack running up from the top corner of a window or door. Others include a dip in the brickwork above, rust or rot visible at the lintel edge, and windows that start to stick. A crack alone can have other causes, so it is worth checking.
How long does it take to replace a lintel?
Most single lintels are replaced in one to two days. The props stay in until the mortar has gained enough strength, and wide bays or openings with both inner and outer lintels can take longer. The window can usually be used again once the supports come out.
Other structural repairs in Caernarfon
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Roof structure repairs
Lintel replacement near Caernarfon
Our quote tool shows guide prices for a Caernarfon lintel replacement; add photos and we can confirm the likely opening size and type.