Thread: New member asking a question

My name is Phil N. I live in Alabama and have some bricks coming off (not off yet but major gaps) my exterior wall over my double door garage. It's been like that for about ten years. My observation says that the lintel was not thick enough and possibly the bricks are supposed to be mortared with tabs that are anchored to the wall. Finally the question: is there a standard for the thickness of the lintel that spans a double door garage opening?
Phil

Hello Phil Nolette,

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Just to give you a general idea - in Ontario Canada the building code calls for a 6x4x3/8" or 5x5x1/2" steel lintel which will span 9'11".

Typically the span you are stating requires an engineered solution. In my experience it was common to see a larger (long leg vertical) steel lintel bolted to engineered lumber that could span 16 to 18 feet.

I talked it over with my friend (a master carpenter) and we have come up with the solution of taking the bricks off and going up from the right and left corner to the eaves. We will then come back with some nice siding in this opening and do away with the brick. We will have access to the header and if that needs replacing because of bow we can do it then. It will be the only part of the house that has siding but I have seen many like that.
Opinions are very welcomed!

phil

Originally Posted by Claude Lawrenson

Just to give you a general idea - in Ontario Canada the building code calls for a 6x4x3/8" or 5x5x1/2" steel lintel which will span 9'11".

Typically the span you are stating requires an engineered solution. In my experience it was common to see a larger (long leg vertical) steel lintel bolted to engineered lumber that could span 16 to 18 feet.