Staircase Safety Fixes

Tools:

handrail and brackets
baluster
tape measure
Phillips-head screwdriver
wood putty
putty knife
wood glue
power drill
drill bits
2" wood screws
finishing nails

1. Drill into the bottom of the post straight on at first, then slowly angle your drill back toward the rails (figure A).
2. Next, use a countersink bit and drill into that same hole, just enough so that the head of your screws sit under the surface of the bottom of the end post.
3. Secure the end post to the banister with screws, drilling at an angle to match the pilot hole you already drilled. Repeat this process on the backside of the end post.
4. Now that the end post is secured to the banister, attach the bottom railing to the floor. Drill a pilot hole straight down through the wood into the floor, and follow up with a screw (figure B).
5. Hide the screws with wood putty.

1. Use a clean putty knife or flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry up and remove one of the spacers next to where the baluster should be (figure C). This will free up a little space to work with.
2. Wedge the baluster into place (figure D), then replace the wood spacer.
3. Secure the spacer with wood glue and a small finishing nail (figure E).

Installing a Handrail

1. Determine the height of the new handrail brackets by comparing the height of the existing handrail on the other side.
2. Place the brackets on the wall and mark screw holes with a pencil. Drill pilot holes at these marks.
3. Mount the brackets, inserting the screws by hand with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Don't use a drill for this, as these screws are usually brass and a drill will be too powerful, stripping the head of the screw.
4. Once all the brackets are installed, have a helper hold the handrail in place while you mark through the brackets onto the underside of the rail.
5. Drill pilot holes at these marks (figure F), and then secure the rail on the brackets by hand using a Phillips-head screwdriver instead of a drill.