Cracked Newel Post

Home repair expert Henry Harrison helps a homeowner with a cracked newel post, which is the anchor for the entire balustrade. By dismantling the staircase from the post, repairing the cracks and re-anchoring the post the staircase should be secure. On the elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a four.

Tools:

drill
screwdrivers
safety glasses
pliers
utility knife
hammer
nippers
flashlight
pry bar
2x4 block
5-in-1 painters’ tool
rubber mallet
workbench
tongue depressor
brass brush
sandpaper
mixer paddle
band clamp
adjustable wrench
compressed air
gloves
screws
oil
wood putty

1. In some instances there may be a plug on the underside of the banister railing next to the newel post. Remove the plug by pre-drilling a hole then partially inserting a screw (figure A). Grasp the screw with pliers and pull it free. You may have to tap on the pliers with a hammer to work the plug free.

2. Apply oil to the bolt and loosen. In this case the bolt was not attached to the newel and the project proceeded without removing the bolt.

3. Break the glue line between the newel and the railing and free the railing (figure B). Prop up the railing using a scrap 2x4 to provide clearance.

4. Use the painter's tool to break the paint line around the base of the post. Try to work the post free. In this case the post was secured by a wooden peg below the floor.

5. Go under the house and use a rubber mallet to tap the narrow end of the wooden peg and free the post (figure C).

6. Now go upstairs and pull the post up out of the floor (figure D).

7. Clean out the crack in the post using a tongue depressor, brass brush and finally sandpaper (figure E). Blow away all the dust using a can of compressed air.

8. Fill cracks with a combination of epoxy and filler. Pack in as much adhesive as possible. Fit a band clamp to the post and tighten as much as possible (figure F). Let the epoxy set up for at least 30 minutes.

9. Fill in other damaged areas with wood putty (figure G). Spread it on before it hardens and mold into an approximate shape. Don't try to be perfect, you'll sand down the dried putty later. Again, let the putty dry for 30 minutes.

10. Remove the band clamp and start sanding and shaping the filler down so it matches the shape of the post (figure H).

11. Before reinstalling post, reinforce the joint at the base of the stairs by pre-drilling a pilot hole and then inserting a screw.

12. Replace the newel post and go back under the house and drive the wedge back into the tenon.

13. Replace plug under railing.