Fireplace Lintel Cracked

[carson321]

Hi All, 

 

I have an external brick built chimney on my house. Internally, the fireplace surround was constructed with brickwork built out from the wall. I believe it was originally a gas fire, but when we bought the property the gas had been disconnected and there was just an electric heater "stove" in the fireplace. 

 

I want to install an inset, possibly multi fueled stove, and in preparation I have removed the old fireplace surround back to level with the plastered wall. Upon doing so I have discovered the crack in the lintel as pictured. Is this something that I need to be concerned about? Does the lintel need replacing or repairing in some way? What would be my next steps with this? 

 

Cheers

[markc]

I wouldn’t worry about that, no signs of settling away from first brick course, loads of bearing either side and brickwork above looks good. Lintel looks to be cast in situ so good chance it cracked while drying out.

[jfb]

It’s a pretty big lintel for a small fireplace. It’s a bit weird to see that crack - is there more up above in the brickwork (can’t see any from the photo)? Doesn’t appear to be any deflection in the lintel. 
My instinct is that it should be fine.

but it isn’t too big a job to replace since you are back to brick at the moment.

[carson321]

Thanks for the replies, if it changes any of the information supplied so far, the lintel is in the internal blockwork of the cavity wall on the ground floor of 2 storey house. The chimney is built external to the cavity wall.

Having looked a little closer, it seems the lintel is part of the smoke chamber, found out that an image search for "preformed flue gathering lintel" brings up results similar to what it is. The crack goes through thickness and along the flue gatherer(?) on the inside, as pictured. (ignore the cardboard draught blocker....)

 

 

There doesn't appear to be any movement in the brickwork, but there is a crack in the plaster initiating from the edge of the brick to the left and 2 courses above the lintel crack. 

 

 

Should i just rip a channel across it and anchor in some rebar or just leave it?