Can I drill a hole through brick wall/lentil for A/C lines?
I’m looking to move the a/c freon and return lines that are currently through the middle of a window opening to a more natural location so that a window can be installed in the opening. I cleared out a 1″ slot to relocate the a/c lines when I ran into a Lentil in the top part of the window opening. The idea of cutting the slot through the brick/foundation was to allow the a/c lines to move without calling somebody in to recapture the freon. I’ll raise the a/c unit on a platform about 6″ and the a/c lines will move up into that slot in the brick. Now I am concerned that drilling a hole and then cutting entirely through the lentil with a sawzall will weaken the integrity of the lentil as it is supporting about 12′ of bricks above. The window opening is 30″ wide. The lentil can be viewed in the bottom of the slot that was cut but note that it extends into the brick wall about 6″ as well and continues up into the brick (the back of the slot that was cut also is blocked by the lentil as it is “L shaped)
Replies
Don't cut it. It's supporting that 12' of brick above.
Definitely don't cut it. I suspect you need to rethink this a bit.
Yep, whut mike and dan said, you go and just plain cut that angle iron and it comes tumbling down.
Your options:
1. Go to a DIY AC site like Ecorenovator.com and get the lowdown on DIY refrigerant recovery and re-use.
2. IF the angle iron supported more than 4" back from the window, move your freon lines SIDEWAYS, on on top the other and fill in the slot with concrete or epoxy, NOT just mortar.
3. Reframe the window opening and mortar in the side gap left by the width of hte freon lines.
4. Wedge a 4x4 or use a 3T hydraulic jack and 4x4 under the angle iron to the right of the freon lines, cut the piece out of the angle iron, move the freon lines up, weld a piece of angle iron with doubler above and also 1 size smaller angel inside the 90 deg angle.
5. other ideas also, just remember you do NOT have an arch, so you may have a catastrophe without proper proceedures.
Or just pay the man to move the lines for you.
The man wants over 4 bills though...
I think I'd rather give the $ to the guy who does brick work? Capture refrigerant, re-thread (or new) supply/return lines (25') through new slot, replace refrigerant maybe I just need t get another quote or two.
I'm leaning to just framing in the window a bit smaller (right side of current lines) and brick and/or remortar area below current supply line location.
Wanted to thank everybody for their input and for (unfortunately) confirming my fears about the lentil and it's required usage.
Get another quote for sure.
My son just had a condenser unit unhitched and rehitched on a job. I'll ask him what it cost. I know it wasn't 4 bills.
Get Quotes
before you commit to anything....
I had to have a compressor / condenser unit moved a year ago. Asked a local contractor to assist when disconnecting unit, then re-connecting once I'd done the prep work (move pad, re-route refrigerant lines, re-route wiring).
Got a bill a few days afte re-connection (took about 90 minutes) for over $500.
Guess who won't get a call next time I need an A/C tech....
Good Points
Thanks hound for your input. I originally planned to move the lines up as I was hoping to get them into the basement floor joists to where I would not have to shim the joists ro run drywall and conceal the lines. I'll probably just tuck them into the upper corner now and reframe the window like your point #3 suggested. They'll be real close to being concealed in joists in that spot.
Moving lines sideways is an option I explored but they will start to interfere with a new fence post that is destined for that location.
I read somewhere that cutting a lintel to size is a bad idea as the forging/stress qualities are decreased after the cut?
Thanks again for confirming my fears about the necessity of the lintel.