Hand rail information


  #1  
Old 02-08-16, 02:27 PM
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Hand rail information

I have a concrete stairwell going down to my walk-up basement door outside. Was looking for an inexpensive hand rail solution that someone on here may have come up with?

Thanks,
Craig.
 
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Old 02-08-16, 02:45 PM
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Hey coop, any chance of sending a picture of the stairwell so we can wrap our heads around your question? http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...your-post.html Here are the instructions to add a picture, keep in mind that the pictures need to be re-sized to web quality and are uploaded one at a time.
 
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Old 02-08-16, 03:07 PM
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Name:  13-down-entrance-EDIT.jpg
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Size:  41.9 KB Here it is, was assuming handrail should be lagged into concrete wall...
 
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Old 02-09-16, 02:33 AM
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I've always seen them screwed into the wall. Is the wall poured concrete or block?
 
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Old 02-09-16, 03:36 AM
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If you install it on the right side as looking at your picture, you will have to build a structure on top of the concrete berm to allow the railing to sit at the correct height at the top step. This may not be a bad idea in that it takes away a potential fall hazard. Looks like there is some sort of deck above this so not sure how to tie everything together. Could you post a pic that includes the other structures in that area?

Easiest handrail would be to mount on the side of the house, although anytime you punch holes into the foundation you risk moisture issues. Although this looks pretty dry and probably not an issue.
 
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Old 02-09-16, 06:22 AM
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Length of 1-1/2 galv. pipe, 2, elbows, 2, 3" nipples, 2, pipe flanges, some Red Head wedge anchors would do it.
 
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Old 02-10-16, 02:02 PM
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Great input! (There is actually already a fence on top of the poured concrete wall to the right now - that is an older pic).

Will put something directly on the house then. That wall is just parged and will have to find the studs which may be difficult.

Galvanized pipe could be good for sure.... will investigate further....
 
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Old 02-10-16, 02:15 PM
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Are you sure it's a wood framed wall? Normally that would be a foundation wall made out of block or poured concrete. Usually all exterior basement walls are masonry with the exception of a walk out basement where just one open wall might be wood framed.
 
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Old 02-11-16, 09:31 AM
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Yes of course you are right - I had a momentary bout with insanity. Definitely a poured concrete wall.
 
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Old 02-16-16, 12:01 PM
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For the galv pipe - do you think I can have a 5 or 6 foot run of handrail without a support in the middle?
 
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Old 02-16-16, 02:43 PM
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I don't think that span would be an issue.
 
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Old 02-16-16, 07:10 PM
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Priced out 1.5" galv pipe here and it is crazy, $14/ft and $7 per end for threading from a plumbing store. Big box stores only carry up to 1 inch pipe.... may be cheaper to buy an aluminum handrail or something else....
 
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Old 02-17-16, 09:30 AM
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Any thoughts on using 2 or 3 of these with a steel fence post and 2 end caps?? Would be 1/4 of the price....

Name:  hw.jpg
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Last edited by C-COOP; 02-17-16 at 09:54 AM.
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Old 02-17-16, 09:43 AM
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C-Coop -

Give it the "acid test". - What would happen if your mother-in-law whose husband is an attorney fell or had a problem.

Dick
 
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Old 02-17-16, 10:17 AM
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I would immediately run to the hardware store and buy some lime, then I would dig a hole and put them in there ASAP. Then maybe plant a shrub on top of it or something and start working on an alibi. lol

What would the concern be? Screws coming out? I could weld the brackets to the pipe.....
 
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Old 02-17-16, 12:48 PM
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Is the radius on the bracket be the same as the fence pipe? If the bracket is secure to both the wall and the pipe, I would think it would be ok although with the thinner steel it might not be as maintenance free as water pipe would be. You wouldn't want it to start rusting [inside or out]
 
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Old 02-17-16, 02:03 PM
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They also sell stainless brackets, so rust would not be an issue.....

2X Stainless Steel Handrail Brackets Hand Rail Bracket Support Stair Handrails | eBay
 
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Old 02-17-16, 03:18 PM
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Rust shouldn't be an issue with those brackets but rather the thin wall tubing [galvanized fence post]
 
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Old 02-18-16, 07:34 AM
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How about some vinyl coated fence post, brown looks good. Then slide a 6" piece of doweling inside where the screws would go?
 
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Old 02-22-16, 08:55 PM
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I found an 8 foot - 2 inch black galvanized post for $16, thinking of hammering a 2x2 the length and screwing into that or just welding stainless brackets directly to pipe.
 
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Old 03-01-16, 09:32 AM
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I apologize in advance for belaboring this thread, but I am sure someone else will benefit from this thread in the future and I am still looking for a solution. The steel post idea is a fail, the stairwell is mostly in direct sun and gets too hot to touch....

Anyone have thoughts on installing a stained or painted wood handrail outside?
 
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Old 03-01-16, 10:47 AM
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If you go with a wood handrail instead of steel, be prepared for a perpetual maintenance problem as the coating weathers off. I'd be inclined to try a heavy gauge, ABS or PVC pipe, attached with screws to those nifty brackets you showed earlier.
 
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Old 03-01-16, 12:35 PM
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If you prime and paint the galvanized steel pipe a light color that should lower the temp and make it ok to handle.

I've stained wood handrails a dark color and they would get almost too hot to handle in the sun.
 
 

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