- Cut the loose railing free with a reciprocating saw. Railings that are embedded into concrete can rust in that connection area, causing the railing to loosen or even break ...
- Use a hammer drill to remove the railing remnants from the concrete. ...
- Buy leg extension inserts that match the current railing. These inserts have a rounded end that slides up into the hollow shaft of the railing’s post, and a squared ...
- Cut the damaged railing bottoms and new inserts to fit. ...
- Secure the inserts in place with bonding adhesive. Use a caulk gun to squeeze a generous amount of bonding adhesive into each post opening.
- Drill a hole and use a rivet gun to further secure the insert. ...
- Place the railing section back into its original position. Set the new post bottoms into the holes left behind in the concrete, and reconnect any fasteners to other railing ...
- Mix up a small batch of hydraulic cement. Hydraulic cement (also known as expanding concrete) sets up very quickly, so combine the dry mix and water right before you’re ...
- Press the hydraulic cement into the post holes with a trowel. Use the mixing trowel to scoop up the mixed concrete and drop it into each post hole.
- Wipe the excess concrete with wet rags and wait 2 days. Since hydraulic cement dries quickly, don’t wait long to wipe away extra blobs on the railing, steps, etc.
Full Answer
How to repair a rotting porch railing?
How to Repair a Rotting Porch Railing. 1 Step 1 - Remove the Rotten Board. Remove the board and examine the extent of the rot. If the rot is extensive and involves the whole railing, you will ... 2 Step 2 - Drill Holes in the Board. 3 Step 3 - Coat with Wood Hardener. 4 Step 4 - Screw in Some Long Screws. 5 Step 5 - Mix up Wood Filler. More items
How do you repair rotted Cedar porch posts?
Epoxy: While methods to repair rotted porch posts and columns could easily fill an entire issue, consider making repairs using epoxy. Another alternative is to install plain cedar posts covered with custom-made sheathing, or replace severely rotted posts with composite materials that can be shaped to historical specifications.
Can I use treated wood for porch railings?
I firmly reject treated wood, typically pine, for porch railings. Why? It simply is not stable enough. Where I was asked to use it, it has twisted, pulled screws or nails, split, and has molded on the surface where not painted.
What causes wood railings and posts to rot?
Time and moisture can cause the wood railings and posts to rot, making it important to check the railings regularly. It is not hard to repair small rotting sections of the railing with only a few tools.
How do I fix my porch railing?
0:073:24Tommy and Nathan Repair a Porch Railing | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell the homeowner wants to tighten a few things up around the house. So we're going to start withMoreWell the homeowner wants to tighten a few things up around the house. So we're going to start with this lower railing right here as you can see extensive damage to the lower part.
How do you redo a front porch railing?
0:009:46Replacing Old Porch and Deck Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this video i want to show you how i replace railing and balusters on an old porch i'm going to beMoreIn this video i want to show you how i replace railing and balusters on an old porch i'm going to be ripping out the old one and putting in new. Ones. Here's some shots of the porch beforehand.
How do you repair a wooden railing?
Steps:Steps: ... Remove all loose spindles and the banister. ... Drill new holes for draw bolts on the bottom side of the banister using the template provided by the manufacturer. ... Tighten banister pieces together with draw bolts. ... Tap spindles for one step into place, and then secure with polyurethane glue and brads.More items...
Can you replace a wood porch railing?
Wood Porch Railing Replacement Wood railings can rot over time, and you can replace them with new wood or materials that are more weather-resistant.
What is the best material for porch railings?
Vinyl and aluminum are both excellent choices for your new railing. However, you might also consider the other options available on today's market, including wood or wrought iron. Many homeowners choose wood railings for a rustic look; however, it's worth noting that vinyl can mimic the look of wood.
How do you replace a porch railing and post?
0:0212:55Replace Porch Columns (Porch Posts / Porch Columns / Use ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should always have a structural engineer tell you that it's okay to use a certain type of columnMoreYou should always have a structural engineer tell you that it's okay to use a certain type of column in a certain situation a lot of them are very standard. But nobody carpenters.
How do you repair a rotted handrail?
1:4110:59How To Repair Rot: Cedar Deck Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a watery liquid that easily penetrates the wood and kind of soaks in there and hardens quicklyMoreIt's a watery liquid that easily penetrates the wood and kind of soaks in there and hardens quickly and that will help consolidate the wood and then we're just going to use the Minwax wood filler.
How do you repair a wooden porch spindle?
6:239:15Replace Balusters On A Deck Or Porch Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's smooth I will use the copper base preservative. Here again. And then prime over that whenMoreSo it's smooth I will use the copper base preservative. Here again. And then prime over that when you're using that copper base preservative make sure you use stainless steel nails or screws.
How do I fix my railing spindle?
2:359:32How to Repair Broken Stair Balusters | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnything yes we do it's very important for our safety. So the next step is to take the stripMoreAnything yes we do it's very important for our safety. So the next step is to take the strip baluster they look great cleaned up yes. And then we'll apply glue to the break.
How much does it cost to put a railing on a porch?
Deck railings cost on average $93 per linear foot, installed. This will vary from about$15 to $850 per foot. Labor charges will be about $30 per foot. On average, a 10-foot deck railing project, including materials and labor, can cost $450 to $8,800.
How do you replace an outdoor railing?
0:121:19How to Replace Old Wood Deck Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight here they're going to come in a straight a stair and a 45 degree angle. This is going to helpMoreRight here they're going to come in a straight a stair and a 45 degree angle. This is going to help keep a nice clean fit. So you don't have the toenail in on the wood. And I'll create a long lasting.
How much do wood railings cost?
Average wood railing cost installed by a deck contractor or handyman is $30.00 per linear foot. DIY homeowners incur an average cost of about $14.00 per linear foot when good-quality treated lumber is used.
How do you replace a wrought iron porch railing?
1:455:21How to Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo these are actually leg extensions with a dowel on them. So what we're going to do is we're goingMoreSo these are actually leg extensions with a dowel on them. So what we're going to do is we're going to lay it on here like this cut off the bottom that's damaged then slide the new one into. Position.
How do you replace porch balusters?
5:249:15Replace Balusters On A Deck Or Porch Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou see how bad it is at the bottom. And then it's just a screw here which I'll just drop down. AndMoreYou see how bad it is at the bottom. And then it's just a screw here which I'll just drop down. And pull out from underneath.
How do you replace railing spindles?
How to Replace Stair BalustersStep 1: remove existing balusters. Saw out your existing balusters. ... Step 2: drill holes for new balusters. ... Step 3: sand. ... step 4: measure. ... Step 5: paint. ... Step 6: cut the balusters. ... Step 7: install the new balusters.
How do you install a concrete porch railing?
2:1422:40Installing the BEST Aluminum Railing for a Concrete Porch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're putting this on a deck you want to be sure that you're going down into a joist aMoreIf you're putting this on a deck you want to be sure that you're going down into a joist a structural member not just a deck. Board. So typically if you're framing a deck and you're going to use.
Where is the decaying bottom rail on a porch?
Another prime spot for decay is the bottom rail, particularly at the porch corners. Water running down the porch corner posts and spindles attached to it collects at the bottom rail. The rail's end grain wicks moisture into the rail and the spindle also wicks moisture up into itself, holding it against the bottom rail.
Where is decay found on porch railings?
The lower portion of a porch railing is where much of the decay can be found.
What grit sanding pad do I use for railings?
I go to my Feintool Multimaster and sanding pad attachment to quickly remove loose paint on any railing pieces I plan to re-use. The sanding pads come in boxes of 50 in all grits. I use 60, 80, or 120 grit to remove paint on these pieces. These Velcro attached pads are relatively long lived, but their most valuable feature is the ability to rotate the pad to help with difficult corners.
What is a porch made of?
Older porches are often made out of western red cedar -a naturally warp and rot resistant (never rot proof) wood grown in North America. This is a good choice of material, yet many porch railings are constructed by quick moving builders who do not take the extra time to make the little adjustments that will allow rain, snow melt, and dew to drain properly.
What kind of saw do I need to repair a cedar spindle?
You will need a miter saw for this repair. For spindle cutting, it does not need to be the costliest machine available. What I am using here is a 10" Dewalt compound miter saw, generally a solid cutting tool. You may also use the smaller 7.25-8.5 inch bladed models. This part of the repair can even be done with a hand-powered miter saw! After all, western red cedar is fairly soft and easy to cut. Your blade should be sharp and, if you cut slowly, a 40 tooth blade will work just fine.
What happens when rotted wood is pressed?
Rotted wood is soft, sometimes crumbly, sometimes green with algae, and sometimes even releases moisture when pressed. This is quite likely to happen where the spindles meet the bottom rail, particularly at porch corners where they receive rain from two sides. A spindle's end grain will wick moisture up into the wood.
How to protect bottom rail?
To protect the bottom rail, you can use the oscillating cutter to slice through these brads. The top board, typically a 2x4, is usually connected to the spindles with phillips head screws. These should be easily removed with a cordless drill and phillips bit. I do not expect the top board to need to be replaced.
Steps
1. Creating the jig. Draw your pattern full scale on a sheet of plywood, and then cut spacer blocks and tack them into place along your pattern. In this way you simply need to lay in your spindles and nail your top and bottom rails in place, with no need for repetitive measuring.
Patch Rotted Porch Slats
Home repair expert Henry Harrison shows a homeowner how to patch a bad section at the end of her porch slats.
What is the best way to join boards on a porch?
On a porch with changes of direction (for example, on a verandah that turns a corner and continues on a second side of the house), cut the boards where they meet along a diagonal. There are two classic join patterns: miter joints (shown at top) and herringbone joints (bottom).
What to document before rebuilding a porch?
Before beginning any restoration or rebuilding, it’s worthwhile to document existing joinery and spacing details with photographs and/or a sketch that includes measurements on all components, even when the parts are beyond saving. What’s left may provide clues to construction techniques that gave the porch its initial long life.
How thick is a porch floor?
Historically, porch floorboards were milled from vertical grain 5⁄4″ tongue-and-groove Douglas fir, which meant they were fully 1″ thick. The ends were often shaped in a half-round bullnose by an onsite carpenter, the better to shed water. After World War II, board thicknesses shrank to ¾”, and the ends were typically square-cut, both compromises in terms of the expected lifespan of the wood.
What is a good porch?
A good porch starts with good footings. While the earliest porches were built on large stones set deep into the ground or full masonry piers of fieldstone or brick, contemporary building codes call for footers of poured concrete.
Why ventilate skirting under porch?
Ventilation is crucial for preventing dampness, which can attract wood-eating insects and encourage decay. “You want the bugs to crawl in,” says Andrew Curtis, an exterior restoration specialist, “and you want them to crawl back out.”. It is crucial to ventilate skirting underneath porches to avoid decay.
What are the elements that make up a porch?
If not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and strategically applied coats of paint, the key elements of a porch—floors, framing, posts, railings, and decorative elements —will deteriorate quickly.
What is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch?
Deck framing is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch. Before about 1860, deck frames were often built of large logs called “sleepers.”. These sturdy logs were hewn flat on one or two sides, with one of the flat side facing up to act as floor joists.
