How do I bring this lintel and surrounding bricks up to the rafters level so plasterboard is flush with it. I think I may need 2 courses of bricks, how do I also raise the lintel area above the door.
Hi @ELI5,
Did you have a photo or photos that you tried to upload with your question?
If so, could I ask you to try uploading the photo/s again? If you have any trouble, feel free to send them to workshop@bunnings.com.au and we can put them up for you.
Work of a structural nature is oftentimes best left to the professionals, but we can certainly take a look and advise further when we can see what you are working with.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Jacob
Based on what I can see, you don't actually have a lintel. A lintel is a piece of steel that bridges across an opening in brick to support the courses of brick that sit above it. They work by transferring the load that sits above the opening out, into the brick walls on either side of the opening.
The only example I have of a lintel being installed is a slightly different scenario, but you can still see the basic idea. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-install-a-lintel and https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-cut-a-brick-wall-opening to see it happening.
In your situation, you have a door frame, but there doesn't actually seem to be a lintel above it.
So, the solution would be to install a lintel above the frame, ensuring it is capable of spanning the width of the opening, then continue the brick up to the level of the rafters, which can then be sheeted flush with the newly installed brick.
Our supplier Galintel have this guide that will help with selection of a lintel that is capable of spanning this opening - Galintel Solid Base Angle Flyer
Can you advise how wide the opening is, from one brick wall to the other?
I can use this information to get in touch with Galintel to confirm a lintel that will be suitable when they reopen tomorrow.
It's about 2.9m
The measurement I need is this -
I can't imagine that is 2.9m based on what I can see. Could I get you to double check for me?
1.36m
Hello @ELI5
Thank you for providing that measurement. We'll get in touch with Galintel to confirm a lintel that will be suitable for your situation. Just in case we get asked how many more brick layers will you be placing above the door? As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you.
Thank you for your patience.
Eric
About 2 Layers I think. How do I go about placing them as well.
Thank you for that extra information. We'll get in contact with our supplier to get more details about the lintel and placement of the bricks. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
I have spoken with the team at Galintel and unfortunately, they are unable to provide specific advice about which lintel could be used. They have informed me that they can provide the load tables, which are those shown in the solid base angle flyer that I linked to above, but they need to be interpreted by a qualified professional such as a structural engineer, builder or experienced bricklayer to ensure they are satisfactory for the purpose.
For this reason, I would suggest you reach out to a qualified person for their assistance. I imagine an experienced bricklayer would be the best option.
