Neath · West Glamorgan
Lintel replacement in Neath
If a window at your Neath 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
- SA10, SA11
- Population
- about 46,000
- Area
- West Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
What should you know about the ground under Neath?
Neath is in West Glamorgan and takes in postcode districts SA10, SA11. About 46,000 people live there. We also take enquiries from nearby Clydach (4 miles), Swansea (7 miles) and Maesteg (7 miles).
Parts of West Glamorgan have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in West Glamorgan: Hillside terraces, Victorian villas in Swansea and post-war estates.
Signs you may need lintel replacement
- Soft, crumbly timber visible behind the brick face over a bay
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
- Rust stains or flaking steel showing above the frame
How much will lintel replacement cost in Neath?
For Neath we use Wales rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| 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 Neath?
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
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
What happens when we carry out lintel replacement in Neath?
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.
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.
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 Neath: questions and answers
How much should I budget for lintel replacement in Neath?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Neath 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 Neath?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Neath, including SA10, SA11, and from nearby places such as Clydach and Swansea. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in West Glamorgan crack?
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot lie on the South Wales coalfield, with historic workings, tips and steep valley sides, and softer estuarine ground around the docks. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Related work in Neath
- Wall tie replacement
- Underpinning
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
Lintel replacement near Neath
If rust is showing above the windows of your Neath home, photograph it close up and we will tell you whether replacement is due.