Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Nov 22, 2003 06:23am | #1

   Some railings are available that set into a hole in the concrete. Pre-cast concrete steps often have these holes just under the surface and can be broken out. You can drill your own with a heavy duty hammer drill but you need to be very cautious where you drill. There are specialists that will come out and do it with diamond tools. Find them in the yellow pages under concrete cutting & boring. The rail posts are epoxied in. There are special epoxies for this available through masonry suppliers. Much stronger than brackets and lags.

1. 
   poorsh | Nov 22, 2003 06:44am | #2

   Hi Hammer

   Thanks for your reply

   These are old steps with no pre-drilled holes. Wish they were

   Mac

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Nov 22, 2003 07:16am | #3

   How fancy are you wishing for?  This past summer I installed several sets of porch railings for some elderly folk; I got the black-painted steel stuff at the local True Value (HD doesn't carry it.)  The post are screwed into a base which is anchored to the concrete with anchor bolts.  You'll need a hammer drill and 3/8" carbide bit.  Start at the house with a horizontal run and cut both sides of the railing sections for even spacing of the balusters (a metal chop saw makes quick work of cutting the railings.) 

   This is something you can do, although I had to complete one front porch railing that had been left unfinished by a hack; the rails weren't level, the baluster spacings weren't equal, and the stair section of railing hadn't been bent to achieve vertical balusters.  The lady wanted the rest done to match the hack.  LOL.   I told her if anyone wanted to know who did her railings, don't give them my name.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   poorsh | Nov 22, 2003 07:41am | #4

   Hi Nick

   Thanks. What ever it was I didn't do it and he went that away. LOL

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Nov 22, 2003 07:49am | #5

   How are you at welding?

   You could have a shop fabricate a straight bar railing with balusters to match the pitch of the steps or you could get the material and do it your self.

   To anchor in concrete you could set the balusters in epoxy. Drill holes down the steps as if you were going to epoxy studs into a stemwall or mono pad. A Bosch SDS Max whips them out in no time and I use the Hilti brand 2-part epoxy that comes in tandom tubes and is squeezed out with a special gun (also Hilti).

2. 
   Frankie | Nov 22, 2003 06:46pm | #6

   I. If you drill holes for anchors and screws, be sure to stay at least 4" away from the edge of the steps. Otherwise the hammering from the drill will break the steps apart.

   II. Using a core bit to create a hole for the support post to sit in may be easier. Be sure to use a diamond core bit. A decent one will cost about $75. Use in a reg. drill. NO hammering. Lots of water - some run dry but the water ones create less dust for you to breath in while drilling.

   F

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Nov 22, 2003 09:16pm | #7

   I had a wrought (sp) iron company fabricate and install railings for the porch and stairs at my parents house. They measure, fabricated. and installed them cheaper than I could have done it myself with any of the assemble as you go stuff out there. Much sturdier with welded fabrication too.

   Dave

2. 
   poorsh | Nov 24, 2003 12:37am | #8

   Hi Frankie

   Thanks for your advice. I have come up with a solution that I think will work. I am going to use the u-shaped brackets that you set in concrete sonotubes footings for fence posts. I will drill holes and then can use 4 x 4 's etc. Will match other railings.

   Thanks

   Mac