Handrail height is off by 2"...HELP!


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Old 04-27-16, 09:09 AM
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Handrail height is off by 2"...HELP!

Hello everyone, thank you in advance for any suggestions you can recommend here. We had our final inspection today and failed for one railing being too short by 2". It measures 32.25 inches hi from the edge of the step to the top of the hand rail and needs to be roughly 34". Any recommendations on how to accomplish this without redoing the entire handrail?

I will post a picture of the railing in question. Its the hand rail on the left side of the image.
Thanks again for all suggestions.

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Last edited by PJmax; 04-27-16 at 07:12 PM. Reason: reoriented picture
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Old 04-27-16, 09:22 AM
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Ouch! No easy way around this. Was this DIY? If not, wouldn't it be the builder's problem?

If I had to fix it, I would saw off the all the balusters and newel post right at tread level, and insert a rectangular block under each. I would size the blocks a little bigger than the respective end of the baluster so it looked like a decorative feature. Of course it would have to be stained and finished to match and putting it all together so it is strong and secure will take some serious carpentry skills.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 09:23 AM
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Welcome to the forums!

I'm not sure it's feasible to raise the rail height without rebuilding it While you might could figure out a way to extend the balusters with a 2" block under them I seriously doubt that you could raise the newel post without making it weaker. But I'm just a painter, the carpenters should be along later.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 10:29 AM
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Sorry, no magic wand for screw ups like that.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 12:53 PM
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I think we are assuming it is the balustrade and not the wall mounted handrail. The wall mounted handrail would be an easier fix. The image posted was sideways, so I couldn't tell left from right. Can you clarify which one is short?
 
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Old 04-27-16, 02:16 PM
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Its the hand rail on the left side of the image.
I think its the one on the left.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 02:48 PM
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Railing Height

I think its the one on the left.
I see one in the center and one at the top.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 02:58 PM
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Thanks for the replies, i couldnt figure out how to rotate the image on the website, but on my computer its normal. Anyway, would it be feasible to add a piece of wood above the handrail in question, almost like a decorative attachment? Something that will connect to the top of the handrail extending all the way down?

Thanks
 
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Old 04-27-16, 04:20 PM
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failed for one railing being too short by 2"
Seriously? What kind of inspector would find fault on a rail being 2" short? Is this somehow preventing you from taking title or living in the premises? If not then just leave it alone! If it is, then the sellers are responsible. I can't believe you have an obligation to remedy this. In what way is it unsafe?
 
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Old 04-27-16, 04:37 PM
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Well, I suppose you could attach a second handrail, something like the photo below. The trick is doing it in a way that will pass inspection and then can be removed , not that I would recommend such a thing.

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Fastening it to the wall is no problem. On the Newel end, you might be able to go over the top of the newel and then have it curve down and back and connect to the front of the Newel.
 
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Old 04-27-16, 04:56 PM
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Who built the railings?
There just is no great way to make them 2" taller.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 02:36 AM
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What kind of inspector would find fault on a rail being 2" short?
Some inspectors are nit pickers and I suspect get a perverse joy out of reject notices. I was on a job once where the inspector failed 2 houses because the wood surround at the fireplace was a 1/4" too close to the firebox. That same inspector failed another house because the water and sewer line were only 17" apart instead of the required 18"
 
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Old 04-28-16, 04:15 AM
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Me thinks there is more to this situation than we are being given. Is this a new house or one that was already lived in? If previously lived in then I think the rail height cannot be cause for failure if allowed to pass before.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 04:34 AM
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would it be feasible to add a piece of wood above the handrail in question ............ Something that will connect to the top of the handrail extending all the way down?
I suppose you might could mount a rail at the top of the newel post and at the wall above the rosette but before I went that route I think I'd ask the inspector if that would be acceptable.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 05:42 AM
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Rail

It is only six steps. Have it re-built to the correct height.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 07:43 AM
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What kind of inspector would find fault on a rail being 2" short?
Any building inspector would fail this handrail, it doesn't meet building codes. The codes are taken seriously regarding staircases and handrails. Just saying it was doomed to fail inspection from the beginning.

It makes me wonder who would have the skill to build a staircase and not know the requirements..

I vote for the 2" blocks, one long block per tread. Best is to rebuild it with new parts. Only good news is the oak finish is pretty easy to match.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 09:59 AM
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The rail parts are readily available. Why not just redo the railing per code? It's probably less than $150 for balusters and newel and a days work. You might even be able to salvage the newel by adding a trimmed out block to raise it up.
 
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Old 04-28-16, 04:28 PM
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You might even be able to salvage the newel by adding a trimmed out block to raise it up.
The newel is anchored below the step into the framing so blocking it or stilting it is not advised.

I have a question, is this a county inspection or a home inspection prior to sale of a house? One deals with codes, the other is a nit pick that you can barter with. Are you buying or selling, is the inspector representing you or the other side?
 
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Old 04-29-16, 05:02 AM
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Czizzi, this is what I've been asking at the start. There is more than meets the eye on this post. Since my first post the OP has not commented or replied.
 
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Old 04-29-16, 03:47 PM
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It's impossible to know if the newel shown here can be raised 2". I simply suggested it as a possibility.

Fastening a newel to a framing member might be the preferred method, but it is not the only way a newel can be installed. For instance, a newel installed on a finished floor can be fastened with L brackets or a butt plate.
 
 

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