Stairway Handrail Repair

Tools:

torpedo level
carpenter's pencil
putty knife
flashlight
folding rule
scissors
drill with some bits
flat-head and phillips-head screwdrivers
towel
container
bent copper wire
safety glasses
mesh drywall tape
water putty
screws

1. Remove the brackets holding the handrail to any anchors still firmly attached to the wall. You can remove the brackets for the loose anchor once you have the handrail off the wall (figure A).

2. Use a copper wire bent at a 90-degree angle to find the stud if you're not sure of the location of a stud near the mounting point for the failed anchor. Insert the wire into one of the holes left by the anchor and turn it until you contact a stud.

4. Draw two vertical lines marking the edges of the stud. Use the torpedo level to ensure the lines are plumb.

5. Hold the anchor against the wall between the two lines and mark holes for mounting screws. Pre-drill holes for the screws, start the screws by hand and then tighten using the power drill (figure C).

6. Since the anchor was moved, you'll need to adjust the mounting point for the brackets on the underside of the handrail. Reattach the handrail to the original anchor or anchors that were not moved.

8. Pre-holes into the rail and reattach bracket. Tighten the screws by hand (figure E).

9. To fill in the holes left by the drywall anchors, soak pieces of mesh drywall tape in water putty and force into each hole (figure F). Spread a layer of putty over the area with a putty knife. Allow it to dry then come back and prime and paint the patch.