Tips For Installing An Iron Rail On Your Concrete Steps

Posted on: 19 September 2017

If you have concrete stairs that lead to your home's front or back door, then you may want to add some stair rails to make them safer. Iron rails are a good addition, but you may be confused by the way that the rails are added to the stairs. If you want some tips on how to install the rails, then keep reading. 

Drill The Concrete

To add the iron railing, you will need to attach it along the right and left side of the stairs. To do so, you will need to first drill holes in the concrete. However, you will need to use the correct drill bit. If your general wood bit is used, then you will wear down the bit by simply trying to drill into the concrete. This drill bit is made from steel and it is not hard enough to drill through the concrete. You will instead need a masonry bit instead that has a tungsten carbide tip on the end of it. Some bits will even have a diamond tip on the end.

Once you know what you need, you will need a bit that is the correct size. While some railings will connect with the assistance of lag bolts, the more finished railings are ones with posts that set directly into the concrete. The openings for these poses need to be about one-half inch wider than the posts and also the exact depth of the posts you are securing. Drill slowly and use the posts to guide you as you work when it comes to depth. 

The last step to drilling the openings involves the removal of concrete dust. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the dust from each of the openings when you are done drilling them.

Add Epoxy

While concrete can be used around the iron posts, epoxy does allow for some flexibility. If you have children or an elderly parent who might use the rail, then this is best to make sure the cement does not crack when pressure is applied to it. Epoxy will also cure a lot quicker than cement. While cement will dry within about 24 hours, it takes weeks to cure completely. Cracking is far more likely during this time period. Epoxy, on the other hand, with cure completely within a few days.

If you do use epoxy, you need to make sure that your railing is completely level before you add the compound to the holes. Use wooden beams and a level to do so. Also, applying the epoxy with a caulk gun can help you to place it neatly in each rail opening. For more information, contact companies like Lamonaca Iron Works Inc.

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