Adjusting Lintel Height

[jar546]

These are exterior walls but I am thinking this is a more appropriate area to post since it is CMU construction.If you look at the photo you will see that the garage lintel is shimmed up approximately 2" for purposed of making the required R.O.As a result, the block directly above the lintel had to be cut down 2" so it would match up with the rest of the block for the bond beam pour.The issue is that the lintel assembly was specified on the drawings as 32" which is now 30", therefore the construction is not per approved plans. The good news is that this particular lintel is for the only gable on the house and weight is not an issue so the RDP had no problem firing off a letter stating so. There are several other homes with this design that are going to be built and I have thought of 2 fixes. Let me know if you can think of any more:1) Change the prints to show a 30" lintel assembly.2) Change the slope of the garage floor from 1/8" pitch to approximately 1/4" pitch to drop the opening another 2" and we no longer have to look at the cluster around the lintel with the cut and notched block.What say thee?Home built to 170mph wind

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[globe trekker]

3) Have them install the correct sized lintel as per the designed plans.

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[jar546]

The size of the lintel is correct. The thickness for the pouring of the bond beam is wrong

 

[GBrackins]

I'd recommend changing the lintel to 30" if it meets the design calculations for load and approved by the RDP. a 1/4" per foot slope can be detectable as sloped floor, whereas a 1/8" usually isn't notice.

 

[fatboy]

"1) Change the prints to show a 30" lintel assembly."

Change the prints to show a 30" minimum lintel assembly.

Or minimum XXX

 

[cboboggs]

Change the prints.

 

[RJJ]

If this was a sealed drawing you can't change the prints. Only the DP can do that!

 

[fatboy]

That's what I assumed we were talking about, have the DP do an addenda, or a new page with the alteration.

 

[peach]

why 170 mph? That's just a little overkill, but the RDP probably won't change it if that's the required wind speed/pressure is.

 

[Rio]

It's awfully difficult to get a concrete floor to drain when the pitch is 1/8:12................ Be a good idea to make it 1/4:12 although as pointed out the slope is noticeable.

 

[steveray]

Hire real masons that layout their block to hit the heights required........We always ordered welded steel door jambs with a head that lined up with typical coursing....adjustments can be made starting at the bottom....

 

[RJJ]

Fatboy: Yes and those of us that understand would assume that the DP make the change. However, someone with little experience may take it on themselves to just make the change / red line the drawing. Limited experience may assume he/she can do such a thing.

 

[globe trekker]

Hire real masons that layout their block to hit the heights required.

Unfortunately "steveray", there are not that many real masons left, and the good ones are

far & few in between. Also, a real mason would probably not be cost effective to hire,

when a contractor can hire almost anyone to install sloppy work, ..not read any plans,

..blame the inspector for any and all faults on the project, and have the AHJ to allow it

because of politics. Just read some of the posts on this Forum from "Sifu", .."codeworks",

"Alias" and others.

..However, someone with little experience may take it on themselves to just make the change / red line the drawing. Limited experience may assume he/she can do such a thing.

They can and DO regularly in some areas of the country!

.

 

[jar546]

Hire real masons that layout their block to hit the heights required........We always ordered welded steel door jambs with a head that lined up with typical coursing....adjustments can be made starting at the bottom....

On the center column of block, that would have been possible. On the ends, they terminate in corners that are set up for the rest of the elevations so that was not an option.

 

[Keystone]

Have RDP spec bond beam, flexibility to place additional bar or adjust current sizing