Loose baluster, railing and spindles
I was at a buddy’s house and he was complaining about a loose railing at the top of his stairs. When I shook it, it was quite wobbly.
Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Chuck
I was at a buddy’s house and he was complaining about a loose railing at the top of his stairs. When I shook it, it was quite wobbly.
Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Chuck
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Replies
Depends on how the newel was fastened, the length of rail, connections, etc.
Can you offer a more detailed explanation?
Does the newel leave the floor when you rock it. Do the spindles rattle?
Can you post a picture?
Without taking it apart, I couldn't tell you how it is attached. I can tell you that it rocks quite well. At one end, the rail is attache directly to the wall. Overall length of the railing is about 4 to 5 feet.Would a picture help?Chuck
Please do not use Gorilla glue or epoxy.
Mark, in post 5 has some good advice, we must find out how the newel is fastened. Does the newel sit on the floor or does it go through the floor?
What is the flooring? wood or carpet?
Is the railing a new or old installation?
Yes, a picture would help immensely.May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
The newel (end post?) is painted and goes into a hardwood floor which is stained. This is an old installation. I will see if I can get a picture of the posts.Regards,Chuck
Any luck Charles?May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
Gord, I have to ask my friend when or if he can get pics and mail them to me.Regards,Chuck
Get a glue syringe and inject glue at the top and bottom of each baluster (picket) and top and bottom of the newel post. Let it dry thoroughly before it is touched. An expanding type glue like Gorilla Glue might be best but be careful; it's easy to make a mess with the stuff. This would be not as good as other more invasive and time consuming methods but would but would help a lot.
Although Gorilla glue and the like do expand as they cure, they are not all that strong once they have been allowed to expand to fill gaps (or so I've read). IMO, he would be better off using thick epoxy (with filler) to fill gaps.
Do some investigating on how the newell is fastened. Is it run down through the floor and fastened to the framing below? or is it cut flush and "sitting" on top of the base ? if so, is it stained or painted?
If it's stained, look for a 1" plug about 5" up from the bottom on one of the sides, if you find one, this means there is most likely a threadded rod running up into the newell with a nut that needs to be tightened. Just drill out the plug tighten the nut, and install a new plug.
If there is no plug, but the newell is definitely cut flush with the base it's sitting on, chances are it has one of those "drive-in' type newell mounting brackets. you should be able to slide the newell away from the spindles, (or toward them, depending on how it was installed) until it pops off. Then just tighten the lag screw, or check that the mounting plate screws are tight, and re-install it. If it's neither of the aforementioned fastening methods, or if it is indeed attatched to the framing below, it's gonna take some photos and a more detailed description for us to help you figure it out.
Once you have the newell tightened up, the spindles are a breeze, that injectable glue idea sounds pretty good to me.
Good luck and let us know what you find out.