Have you been delaying your project to replace deck railing or wondering how long you have before it’s time to invest in repair? Rest assured, we’ve got you covered.
Before you dive into your next project, it’s important to understand when and how to replace deck railing, as well as the warning signs to look out for to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. In this article, we’ll cover railing inspection, permitting, DIY projects, and more.
Assessing Your Deck
We recommend inspecting the following:
1. Inspect Your Railings
Inspect the structural integrity of your railings and look for any signs of unsteadiness, regardless of whether you have wood or metal deck rails. You should be able to give them a firm shake without them wobbling. In some cases, tightening the hardware may do the trick, but if it doesn’t, then it’s time to upgrade and replace them.
2. Check for Rotting Materials
Exposure to moisture, pests, and the elements can cause wood deck rails to rot. Crumbly sawdust beneath your railing may be a sign of pest damage.
Darkening of wood with a soft or sponge-like feel is a sure sign of moisture damage. Any sign of rotting materials means it’s time to replace your deck rail because the natural fibers that make your material sturdy are now compromised.
Wood materials require frequent treatments and sealants to help protect them from moisture penetration, sun exposure, and temperature variations. As soon as a material cracks or warps, its structural integrity rapidly declines and can no longer serve as deck railing to offer support and protection.
If you no longer want the hassle of maintaining wood deck railings, consider aluminum railings.
3. Look out for cracked, warped, or broken materials
If you have a wooden deck, look for cracking, splintering, or warping. If you spot any of these signs, it’s possible that your deck railing was not properly maintained.
There’s more to railing spindles or balusters than just style. Spindles protect us from falling or slipping, which is why there are building and safety code requirements that dictate the spacing and measurements needed to guarantee any given deck railing can offer the needed support.
If you notice your deck rail has broken or missing spindles, take action. If you postpone replacing spindles, you put yourself and your loved ones at a greater risk of injury. Especially if you have small children or pets.
4. Rusting hardware
It’s important to check the condition of your hardware (brackets, screws, washers, etc.) Hardware ensures your deck rail is properly attached to the decking and supports the weight load. These types of materials are susceptible to rust when exposed to harsh weather conditions. If you notice any of your hardware is missing or rusting, immediately replace it to confirm your railing is secure.
Deck Railing DIY: Your Deck. Our Help.
If you’re a do-it-yourself type of person and would rather replace your own deck railing, we get it. Your deck railing may just need a tightening of any loose screws or bolts or in some cases, replacing an old post. Our expert team offers comprehensive DIY deck-building resources.
How to Replace Rotted Deck Railing Sections
Rotting deck railing will usually show signs of splintering, wobbling, and sawdust. It’s best to remove rotting deck railing as soon as possible because it may destabilize and collapse, causing safety issues.
If you’re unable to replace your deck railing and need to repair a small section of rotted wood, make sure the wood is completely dry and remove the crumbling pieces. Use a wet-rot wood hardener and apply a thick layer to the wood with a paintbrush. Allow the hardener to soak in. Treating surrounding areas that have not yet been affected may prevent further rotting.
Once the hardener is dry, the rotten wood should be isolated. If you notice further signs of rotting, the entire section may require replacement.
Replacing Your Railings
Now that you know you need to replace your railings, we’ll walk you through how to get started. To help you better prepare for any costs associated with your project, check out our materials estimator.
Some tools you may need to replace your deck railing include:
- Nailer
- Tap
- Measure
- Power drill
- Hammer, level
- Prybar
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Framing square
- Clamps, chalk
- Wrench
1. Remove old and damaged railings
If possible, measure your original deck railing in place prior to removing it while trying to preserve its shape. This can be used as a template for your new deck railing and capture any complex angles.
Use an impact drive to remove the screws and a nail puller or “cat’s paw” to remove any nails to minimize any damage to usable parts.
Place the new rail against the inside of the stairway posts and align it. Match the mark on the lower post with the mark on the top rear corner of the top post.
2. Cut and attach
Nail the new wood railing in place. Using your original rail as a template, determine how to cut your new railing. Use a tape measure to measure the distance between posts if your original rail is too damaged.
Cut and test to see if the wood will fit prior to nailing. If the lumber is longer than what’s available, joints should be made by cutting a 45-degree angle at the base of each piece for a better fit.
The joints should be placed above a post or other structural component, if possible, and two fasteners should be driven through the joint for strength. Exterior wood glue can be added for additional strength.
We recommend drilling 1/8-inch holes first prior to using any screws or nails, as this can cause mitered ends to split.
Join the lumber by cutting the ends at 45-degree angles. Drill pilot holes for any screws or nails that will be used on the mitered ends to prevent splitting.
Secure and attach the rails using 3 1/2-inch galvanized nails or 3-inch #10 screws.
3. Secure rails to stairway post
To ensure your new rail is safe and firmly secured to the post, attach the ends of the rails to the stairway posts and align them so that they’re flush with the edges of the posts.
Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes and attach the rails with 2 or 3 to 3-1/2-inch deck screws.
4. Align the cap
Attach the rail cap fittings to the post and position the rail cap so the edge is flush with the inside edge of the rail.
Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes and attach the cap to the rail with 2 1/2-inch deck screws driven in every 12 inches. Carefully drive screws into each post.
5. Miter
The final step is to miter the railing and securely attach the cap. The ends of the railing cap should be mitered at a 45-degree angle for each corner. Drill 1/8-inch pilot holes and secure the cap to the post using 2 1/2-inch deck screws.
6. Stain and seal
Stain and seal the new wood, even if it is pre-treated, to prevent future rotting. This can prevent a buildup of moisture and UV fading.
Do I Need a Permit to Replace Deck Railing?
In most cases, you will need a permit before replacing your deck. Check with your local municipality or your local Homeowners Association before you begin any projects.
Getting Started
For your own peace of mind, we encourage you to contact UglyDeck.com to receive your free consultation and estimate when you’re ready to replace outdated and unreliable deck rails. Contact us today to get started!
About UglyDeck.com
Serving the Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Chicagoland areas, UglyDeck.com is a deck-building company and materials supplier that ships nationwide, offering top-of-the-line, maintenance-free decking solutions and services to homeowners.
With over 35 years of combined experience from the owners, we provide customers with quality outdoor decking designs, products, and services, so homeowners can achieve the outdoor space they desire. Visit us today!
