The Need:
The elderly or physically handicapped certainly benefit from additional support when going up and down stairs. Even children and healthy adults will use the handrails when they are present. It is simply useful and safe to have handrails installed on steps. We are focusing specifically on the installation of one particular brand of handrail in this blog which is readily available in the United States. The application can work for front, rear or side entrances to the home which have steps as well as interior garage entrances with steps. Handrail installation for steps at your home will increase safety for everyone entering and leaving your home.
Materials and Tools:
Measure for the appropriate length and height handrail: Here is a link for the handrail that we stock and use on a regular basis. https://fencerail.com/products/diy-handrail-kit-for-stairs
You can choose to mount the base of the lower post on the bottom step or on the walkway surface before the bottom step, whichever would work best in your situation.
What tools to use:
Hammer drill
Regular drill
1/2 " ratchet wrench (open end wrench will work)
Additional 5/16" concrete bits
Torpedo level
Hammer
Compressed air canister
Small broom and dust pan
Hearing protection
Anti-vibration work gloves
Safety glasses
Dust mask
The Installation:
Open the kit, lay out and check against the parts list. The CR Handrail kits supply an array of materials to assist you in your handrail installation.
Attach the appropriate brackets on the top and bottom posts and the end rail as shown in the installation booklet. Install the end caps on the top rail. If the kit is supplied with a one-piece cap for the base it must be installed before the post brackets.
Dry fit all four pieces of the handrail, hold it in place (usually requires 2 people) and determine the location where each post base will be installed. Keeping the base parallel with the edge of the concrete, mark the location of the holes for the upper post with a permanent marker. If drilling into concrete, it is necessary to drill the holes at a minimum of 1 1/2" from the edge of the concrete to avoid possible breakage.
Set aside all but the upper post. Before putting it aside, put it in position and check with a torpedo level to see if both sides are plumb to the surface. If not, use extra washers included in the kit as shims until the post is plumb to the surface. Keep the post close by for checking the location of each hole after each anchor is placed. Be sure and use all of your safety gear for eye, ear, hand and breathing protection.
With your hammer drill, start by drilling one hole at a time with the 5/16" concrete bit included with the kit (I usually keep another of my own handy as a spare). The depth of the hole is marked on the pencil which is also included with the kit. This depth leaves a small space in the hole below where the anchor is to be inserted. Check with the post back in place after each anchor is hammered in to make sure the marking for the next hole is accurate.
Blow the debris out with the compressed air and recheck the depth of the hole before inserting the anchor. Each anchor should be hammered in with 2 washers and 2 nuts at the very end of the anchor to leave the proper height of thread for attaching the base. Note: If you are using washers to level the base you can subtract a washer as needed so the bolt will not extend too high for the base cover to fit properly. Hammer your first anchor in and check with the post for the proper location of the second hole and repeat the process until all four anchors are inserted.
Put the upper post in place. Put one washer and nut on each bolt and snug each, but do not tighten completely at this time. Dry fit all of your parts again to find the exact location of the lower post base, mark and repeat the process for the upper post base placement.
Now you are ready to put the top and bottom rails in place. Loosen the nuts on the post bases just enough to allow reassembly of the entire handrail. Make sure that the top rail is completely inserted on the posts. At this point the base nuts can be tightened up and all the self-drilling screws can be screwed into the pre-made holes on the brackets to firmly hold the posts to the rails.
You are now ready to clean up the area and have the handrail used.
Examples of completed jobs:
A longer handrail was used in this application in order for the homeowner to use the handrail before stepping on the extended lower step.
This handrail was installed with anchor bolts which extended through wood into a concrete landing as well as the concrete walkway on the bottom post.
We used bolts on the outside holes and the supplied screws on the inside holes of the bases to secure the bases to the composite steps.
This is a 1-2 step handrail installed on a step and driveway, both concrete.
This is one of many handrails that you can find online. CR Handrails is a favorite of ours because of the consistently good products as well as the immediate response time from the company to answer any questions or concerns 7 days a week.
If you need a handrail
installed in the Dayton Metro Area,
we will be happy to assist you.
Please contact us at:
937-990-7517
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