Mountain Ash · Mid Glamorgan
Lintel replacement in Mountain Ash
If a window at your Mountain Ash property has started to stick and the brickwork above has dipped, the lintel is a likely suspect. Send pictures of both sides of the opening, and we will tell you what we think is happening.
Guide price from£690per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CF45
- Population
- about 11,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
Is Mid Glamorgan prone to ground movement?
Mountain Ash, Mid Glamorgan: about 11,000 residents across postcode districts CF45. If you are just outside Mountain Ash, we also cover Rhondda (3 miles), Aberdare (4 miles) and Merthyr Tydfil (4 miles).
Parts of Mid Glamorgan have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Mid Glamorgan: Long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
What to expect when we carry out lintel replacement
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.
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.
Remove supports and make good
Once the mortar has gained strength, props and needles come out and their holes are made good. Pointing, reveals and plaster are finished, and the window is refitted or checked for smooth operation.
Is it time for lintel replacement? Common signs
- Damp patches on the inside wall just above a window
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
What should you budget for lintel replacement in Mountain Ash?
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 |
Repair options we may recommend
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
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
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.
Your lintel replacement questions
How much should I budget for lintel replacement in Mountain Ash?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Mountain Ash 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.
Can you survey a property in Mountain Ash?
Yes, Mountain Ash is covered, along with postcode districts CF45. We also cover nearby Rhondda and Aberdare.
Why do houses in Mid Glamorgan crack?
Mid Glamorgan lies on the South Wales coalfield, with dense historic workings, spoil tips and steep valley sides. Landslip, retaining walls and mining legacy are all live issues in the valleys. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What does needling a wall mean?
Needling means passing short steel members through holes cut in the wall just above the opening and supporting them on props on both sides. The needles take the weight of the wall above, so the old lintel can be removed safely without any brickwork dropping.
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.
Related work in Mountain Ash
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Underpinning
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Lintel replacement near Mountain Ash
Our quote tool shows guide prices for a Mountain Ash lintel replacement; add photos and we can confirm the likely opening size and type.