driling through a lintel?

[HappyHippyDad]

Evening all...



I have been asked to fit an outside socket just outside the front door (on the small bit of brickwork you can see in the first picture).

It is very close to the CU so no problems there, but I am am not sure about the route to the socket from the CU.

Not having a great deal of experience on site I have not been around many builders so am unsure of the construction of lintels and if they are possible to drill through.

My thoughts are:

If it's steel I wont be getting through it.
If it's concrete, it must be pretty strong concrete otherwise its not doing it's job as a lintel so again tough to get through.
Should I be drilling through a lintel in the first place?
How high is a standard lintel, could I drill above above it (below ceiling level)?


It actually sounds hollow when I tap the bit above the door from the inside, but thats just giving me false hope as there has to be a lintel there?

Outside is a hollow porch covering. The second picture shows this (although this is actually next door so the picture looks the wrong way around).

I'd appreciate any advice on what you guys would do to get that cable out there?

 

[davesparks]

yes and no, concrete or metal are used depending on which is cheaper at the time

No, concrete and metal are used depending on what strength and shape is required.

 

[shanky887614]

No, concrete and metal are used depending on what strength and shape is required.

we are talking about domestic here.

 

[davesparks]

we are talking about domestic here.

Yes, what of it?

Metal lintels are used for openings which have face brickwork on one side or both as they aren't visible on the face side unlike concrete would be.

Concrete are used on single skin walls where both sides are plastered.

Concrete are used below ground level for going over soil pipes etc where they pass through below the level of the over-site concrete.

They are each used for their specific properties, structural engineers don't choose lintels based on price!

 

[7029 dave]

I've smashed through many an brick pier,when crawling under floorboards, the house has not fallen down. lol

 

[DPG]

Yes, what of it?

Metal lintels are used for openings which have face brickwork on one side or both as they aren't visible on the face side unlike concrete would be.

Concrete are used on single skin walls where both sides are plastered.

Concrete are used below ground level for going over soil pipes etc where they pass through below the level of the over-site concrete.

They are each used for their specific properties, structural engineers don't choose lintels based on price!

Concrete lintels ('boot' type) were commonly used in the 70s for cavity walls. Daz