Whickham · Tyne and Wear
Lintel replacement in Whickham
Bay windows on older houses around Whickham often hide a timber lintel behind the face brickwork. When that timber rots, the bay brickwork drops and cracks, and replacing it properly means supporting the wall above throughout the job.
Guide price from£690per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NE11, NE16, NE21
- Population
- about 17,000
- Area
- Tyne and Wear
- Pricing region
- North East
Why does the ground in Tyne and Wear matter for lintel replacement?
We cover Whickham and its postcode districts NE11, NE16, NE21, part of Tyne and Wear, with a population of roughly 17,000. If you are just outside Whickham, we also cover Blaydon-on-Tyne (2 miles), Newcastle upon Tyne (3 miles) and Stanley (5 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Tyne and Wear. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Tyne and Wear, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across Tyne and Wear: Tyneside flats and terraces, Victorian villas, inter-war council estates and post-war semis.
Lintel replacement prices in Whickham
Guide prices below are for homes in Whickham, on North East rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| 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 |
How we usually approach lintel replacement
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 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.
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 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.
What to look for before calling about lintel replacement
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
- Damp patches on the inside wall just above a window
Rules for lintel replacement in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Questions about lintel replacement in Whickham
What is the price of lintel replacement in Whickham?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Whickham start from about £690 per opening, including VAT, on North East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out lintel replacement in Whickham?
We do. Whickham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Blaydon-on-Tyne and Newcastle upon Tyne. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Whickham cause cracking?
Tyne and Wear lies on the Durham and Northumberland coalfield, with old shallow workings recorded beneath parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, mostly under a cover of glacial clay. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can a lintel be replaced without removing the window?
Often yes. With the wall propped or needled, the old lintel can usually be cut out above the frame. If the frame has been carrying load or the lintel sits tight on it, the window may need removing and refitting, which we include in the quote.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Whickham
- Gable end wall repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
Lintel replacement near Whickham
Our quote tool shows guide prices for a Whickham lintel replacement; add photos and we can confirm the likely opening size and type.