Asked by: Franchesca Henigsen
hobbies and interests woodworking

How do I remove a handrail from a wall?

30
Wall-mounted Stair Rails
Undo the screws that connect the stair rail to the wall-mounted brackets. Use a screwdriver to accomplish this. Pry the stair rail up off the brackets. If a touch of glue was used to help hold the rail in place, you may have to pry up more forcefully.


Subsequently, one may also ask, how do you remove a stair railing from a wall?

Many modern railings have a small hole underneath to access the nut holding the bolt in the newel post in place inside the railing. Place a thin box wrench into the hole and turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it. Remove the nut. Repeat anywhere the stair railing meets a newel post.

One may also ask, how do you remove spindles? Lay a thin hand saw blade on the tread of the stair so that its teeth are where the bottom of the spindle and the top of the tread meet. A little wooden dowel pin connects the two together. Move the saw back and forth to slide under the spindle and cut the dowel pin. Repeat this process for each spindle.

In this manner, how do you remove an old banister?

Use a chisel and a mallet to remove the piece of fill, a strip of wood that plugs the groove between the banister and the spindles, also known as balusters, holding the spindles to the banister. Place the point of the chisel in the center of the fill and hit the other end of the tool carefully with the mallet.

Are half walls with spindles load bearing?

With that being said, that entire wall probably isn't weight bearing, you could just take down the top part, bottom part or both. Tear out the wall and open the space. The wall is not load bearing. Spindles do not support load bearing walls.

Related Question Answers

Piera Mebius

Professional

Which side should handrail be on stairs?

Both sides are better and safer too for installing stair railings. There are no standard rules. But mostly It is suggested on the right hand side as you go down the stairs. Very few stairwells are full walled on both sides, so the wall-mount rail is usually same side as the banister rail.

Magyar Josefowic

Professional

Are stairway walls load bearing?

Before removing a wall from around a stairway, determine whether it is load bearing; that is, whether it supports parts of the building above it. A wall probably is load bearing if it is near the center of the house and runs parallel to its length, or is perpendicular to ceiling joists resting on its top.

Priscilla Gavilondo

Explainer

How much does it cost to replace a banister?

On average, the cost to install wrought iron railings is $2,600. Most people pay between $700 and $4,600 for materials and labor. Plan with $50 to $120 per linear foot for materials, in addition to $300 to $1,000 per project for labor for a banister between 10 and 30 feet.

Zeljko Villacieros

Pundit

How is a banister attached?

Handrails are attached to newels using screws, nails or rail bolts. Generally, these rail systems are easier to assemble and can be less expensive when used with common newel posts. There are two basic types of handrail systems. The type of newel posts you choose will determine your handrail style.

Dmytro Poroshin

Pundit

How do you fix a loose banister?

Steps:
  1. Steps:
  2. Remove all loose spindles and the banister.
  3. Drill new holes for draw bolts on the bottom side of the banister using the template provided by the manufacturer.
  4. Tighten banister pieces together with draw bolts.
  5. Tap spindles for one step into place, and then secure with polyurethane glue and brads.

Tinixara Hammacher

Pundit

How do you fix a loose handrail?

Grasp the top of the newel post at the bottom of the stairs. Shake it to see if it is loose. If it is, drill a hole into the outside of the post toward the stair framing beside it with a 1-inch spade bit. Insert a lag screw long enough to pass through the newel post and at least 1 1/2 inches into the stair framing.

Loriann Schaferjohann

Pundit

How do you fix stair spindles?

Apply a little adhesive to the ends of the spindle and fix with a pin into the handrail groove. The head of the pin should be placed so that it will be covered by the fillet. Repeat until all spindles and fillets have been secured in place.

Koba Misarela

Teacher

Are newel posts structural?

A newel post is the structural upright post that fits at the beginning and the end of a staircase and supports the handrail of a stair banister. The most important job of a newel post is to provide structural support, but that does not mean that they can't be used to enhance the look and feel of your stairs.

Dagmar Xanco

Teacher

How do you fix a loose railing spindle?

To tighten loose spindles, drive thin, glue-coated wooden wedges into the seam where the spindle meets the underside of the handrail. They will not be noticed there. After the glue dries, trim the wedges carefully with a sharp utility knife to hide them further.

Bouchara Palmas

Teacher

How do you cut the angle of a stair handrail?

You can get professional results on a do-it-yourself handrail project when you know how to properly cut a handrail on an angle.
  1. Set the miter saw on a 45-degree angle.
  2. Cut the end of the handrail on a 45 degree mitered angle.
  3. Mark the rail for the top cut.
  4. Cut the handrail on the mark at a 45 degree angle.

Nacimiento Chennouf

Teacher

How do you make a banister?

  1. Introduction. Cut the Balusters.
  2. Determine the Radius. Look at the existing newel post base as a model to make a new one.
  3. Cut the Tread. To fit the bottom tread on the newel post base, position the newly cut tread in place.
  4. Secure the Biscuits.
  5. Attach the Handrail.

Strahil Haberla

Reviewer

What is the difference between a handrail and a stair rail?

Handrails are rails that provide a handhold for support. Height: Minimum handrail height is 30 inches. Strength: Handrails must withstand, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds applied in any downward or outward direction within two inches of any point along the top edge of the rail.

Ziyi Chapeleiro

Beginner

How much does it cost to replace stair spindles?

A complete makeover for a standard staircase falls on the mid or high end of that price range. New treads and risers usually cost about $1,800 to $2,500. New balusters usually cost about $1,200 to $1,600. A complete makeover including treads, risers, balusters, a handrail and newel posts usually costs $4,000 to $8,000.

Hodeia Fuertes

Beginner

Is it easy to change stair spindles?

It's true: The banister spindles on your old stair rail weren't installed with the notion that they would someday need to be replaced, but don't be intimidated—they can be, even if the spindles are trapped in holes at the top and bottom. First, you need to remove the damaged spindle.

Abdeljabar Coalla

Beginner

How much does it cost to replace a spindle?

Some Factors That Affect Spindle Repair Cost
For instance, a damaged tool interface may add between $700 and $1,600 depending on the size and style. Damaged bearing journals can add between $400 and $1,400. A damaged shaft can add $4,000, often doubling the cost of a base repair.

Agar Vilar

Beginner

How do you remove a stair banister?

Look under the railing where it meets the newel post. Many modern railings have a small hole underneath to access the nut holding the bolt in the newel post in place inside the railing. Place a thin box wrench into the hole and turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it. Remove the nut.

Adonis Chias

Beginner

How do you sand stairs spindles?

The proper way to sand spindles is with two grades of sandpaper — from heavy to light.
  1. Fold a sheet of 100-grit sandpaper three times.
  2. Revolve the spindle back and forth, twisting it while you encircle it with the sandpaper.
  3. Slide the cylinder of sandpaper down or up the spindle, overlapping the first area by 1 inch.