Replies

1. 
   florida | May 22, 2014 09:46pm | #1

   Seriously, call a pro. They will know exactly what to do, will have the right equipment, do the job quickly, clean up most of the mess and all you'll have to do is install the window.

2. 
   Roger Anthony | May 23, 2014 10:18am | #2

   Bricks. Opening for window.

   When you look at a brick wall, you can see the laying patten, each brick, is supported by the two bricks immediately below.

   When forming an opening, you choose the level where the lintel will go, you mark out its width, then you can see a triangle ,is formed above, as each brick at the far ends of the lintel, is half supporting the one above, and so on rising  to the centre of the proposed opening, forming an imaginary  step by step brick staircase.

   This rising triangle marks the bricks that may well fall down on you, when you form the opening - but most often they stay in place, held by the mortar.

   Use an angle grinder complete with diamond tipped disc to cut down, the vertical line of mortar and bricks that line up with the inner edges of the bricks  that will support the lintel on both sides. Then cut out the mortar line that will sit on top of the lintel. If none of the bricks above the line drop, you are probably going to be OK.

   If the opening is going to be more than three feet wide, then consider removing one (or more) of the bricks that will be above  the lintel, slide a steel bar through the wall and support on both sides. This creates smaller triangles with less chance of bricks falling.

   Note: Bricks are heavy, they weigh arround 112 lbs per cubic foot, you need the right safety equipment, steel capped boots to protect your feet, and you need to be careful.