We were reached out to by our customer for help replacing a steel beam supporting a knock-through on the ground floor of our house, a project that was itself the first stage of fixing a non-compliant loft conversion carried out by a previous owner.

Unfortunately the box lintel that was installed by the previous owner was deemed unfit for purpose by a building inspector, hence the need for a replacement. Working with the structural engineer, we advised the current owner on what steel to purchase and pad stones to lay, in order to comply and ultimately receive a sign off from building control.

We proceeded to remove plaster and then prop the load bearing wall above the box lintel, using Acro props and Strong boy attachments. After successfully transferring the load from the unfit lintel to the props, we were able to investigate the brickwork, and how the weight was being distributed. Unfortunately, we found an unforeseen issue with the columns (which hold the RSJ in place) – The columns were again, unfit for work and after another inspection by the building inspector, it was deemed unfit for purpose and therefore, we had to rebuild the columns entirely.

Over the course of a day we built both columns and laid our padstones, ensuring a lip of 175mm for each side, for the RSJ to sit. Following a couple of days to set, we then installed the RSJ and removed the props and strongboys.

The installation was then signed off by building control just a few days later,