Introduction
Wondering how to fix a loose outdoor railing? These deck railing repair tips will have it rock solid in no time.
Tools Required
- Circular saw
- Drill/driver
- Spade bit
- Wrenches
Materials Required
- 1-1/2″ carriage bolts
- 1/2″ x 4″ hex-head bolts
- 2×4 to match the railing
- 3-in. deck screws
- and washers
- nuts
- Penetrating oil
- Pressure-treated 2-by (match the joist size)
A wobbly railing isn’t just an annoying quirk of a shabby deck—it’s a safety concern worth addressing before warmer weather arrives. There are a few usual suspects that could be causing the wobble— you can fix most of them in a day.
Project step-by-step (5)
Tighten loose bolts
Tighten any loose bolts from beneath the deck. If the post doesn’t have any bolts, add them.
Replace Stuck Carriage Bolts
If a carriage bolt spins in place when you try to tighten it, it needs to be replaced. Here’s how: spin two nuts on the end of the bolt and tighten them together using two wrenches. Grab the stuck nut with one wrench and the nut nearest the end with the other. Then work the rusted nut loose.
A shot of penetrating oil can help get the nut to move. Remove the old carriage bolt and replace it with a hex-head bolt of the same diameter. Now, you can turn the nut and hold the bolt still to tighten the post.
Fix Railing Gaps
To fix any gaps in a deck railing or even a completely loose railing, start by disassembling it. Sometimes all it takes is tightening up a few screws. But if the handrail is too soft to tighten, it must be replaced.
Mark where the parts line up on the post, then remove them. Measure and cut new parts to fit and match the rest of the rail, then line up the apron with the marks on the post and toe-screw it into place. Fasten the top rail from below.
Add Blocking
Deck posts and railings screwed to a single-rim joist feel wobbly because the rim joist flexes when you lean against the railing. Adding blocking stiffens the rim joist.
Cut pressure-treated blocking (the same width as the floor joists) to fit tightly between the rim joist and the next deck joist. Place the blocking directly behind the post and toe-screw it into both the rim joist and the neighboring joist. Fasten additional blocking every four feet along the rim joist.
FAQs
How high should a deck railing be?
Residential building codes typically require deck railings to be at least 36 inches high, measured from the surface of the deck board to the top of the railing.
What is the best lumber for deck railings?
Pressure-treated deck lumber is commonly used for deck railings because of its weather resistance, availability, and affordability. However, you can use any weather-resistant lumber, including cedar, teak, redwood or ipe.