Advice on lack of lintel

[Sophie4]

Hello, I would be very grateful for any advice regarding whether or not a lintel needs to be retrospectively added above our window.

We have just had a PVC window replaced, having recently moved in - the new window is like for like in terms of location and size as the previous circa 20-25 year old one that we've had removed. We have become concerned after seeing the window fitted that there was clearly no lintel - this is obvious now the internal bathroom tiles have been removed. We realise that originally the soldier bricks would probably have done the job, but the window is a bit wider than the row of soldier bricks, and there has been a couple of rows of bricks apparently between the slight arch of soldier bricks and the window. Would you be concerned and/or retrospectively fit some kind of lintel here? The company we used is FENSA accredited so we assumed they would be doing the right thing.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[stuart45]

As it looks likely to be a solid 9inch wall, the ideal lintel would be a Catnic CN71a. FENSA do instruct their members about lintels, but not all of them seem to understand all the situations. Solid walls sometimes throw them.
Because the opening was bodged with the installation of a smaller window it's possible the brickwork might drop a bit in time, putting pressure on the frame. However, it might also stay out for years.

 

[Sophie4]

Thank you so much Stuart

 

[a twig]

Broadly agreeing with Stuart, with only the equivalent of 5 courses above the window and the original “arch” helping to shift the load sideways a bit, the loading on the frame shouldn’t be too bad.

If the window becomes hard to open (or hard to close again once opened) at any point then that would be the time to redress the issue