How to add hand rails to porch steps?

Yayama
by Yayama

The duplex i rent has 2 cement steps off the front porch. Unfortunately who ever poored it made quite a mess with cement and there is no sinking posts close enough for railing. Ive just had spinal surgery and i am house bound for quite some time with out railing. Physical therapist won't release me til i have railing or can take the steps on my own. Its the difference between getting out in a week or staying homebound 4 additional weeks. I have limited income so nothing fancy or expensive Is there an easy way to do this? My boys can do it if we have an idea on how to procede. This may not be the appropriate forum but any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

  3 answers
  • Ellis Ellis on Aug 08, 2018

    I've seen inexpensive make-shift railings made out of galvanized plumbing pipes. Maybe your boys could rig a couple of railings by sinking the post pipes into the ground where they can find soil (outside the messy cement), but using pipe fittings at the top to make the handrail come close to the steps, where you can grab on?

    • Yayama Yayama on Aug 08, 2018

      Thank you. I'll talk to my boys ..see if they get the gist of it by reading your post. In all honesty i thinl Im probably more the handy woman of the family. Lol. Im just unable at the moment. Thanks again

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Aug 08, 2018

    You will need to drill holes into the concrete in order to install some bolts for the base plate of the railing. Head to your local hardware store and you will finds a compound that stabilizes the bolts in the holes and fills in the surrounding space so that it is solid. Use the metal railing newel post so that it will be sturdy when attached to the base plate. Get the boys to pick the brain of someone in the know at the store.

    • Yayama Yayama on Aug 08, 2018

      Thanks so much. That does sound like a plan. Also it hadnt even crossed my mind to ask at the hardware store. And i usuallu do. The thought of being stuck inside...not even getting to look at my garden....well its just more than im willing to give up. Ill post when weve figured it out and finished

      Thanks again to both of you

  • Kitty Leftwich Kitty Leftwich on Aug 09, 2018

    I don't want to sound like a Debby Downer here, but you say this is a rental. Have you checked with the landlord about this? Who knows, there may even be something in the city code where you live that says they are required to provide a railing. At the very least you need permission before you start making these property changes. Do hope you feel better soon.

    • Yayama Yayama on Aug 14, 2018

      Hi kitty. Thank you for your help. Yes of course I fully intend on asking permission before we get started on it. I haven't exactly been in any condition to do anymore than ask for ideas . But she had told me the day i came to look at the place that she'd take care of it... And the other side of the duplex has added railing to their porch since I have moved in (albeit shakey and too loose for what I need).....so I dont think she will mind that we go ahead and do something about it at this point. I just love this house and I've lived here just long enough to know that it would be much much quicker and less stress on me for us to just spend a couple of days getting and following good direction or instructions and completing a good old fashioned DIY. Not to mention a long over due project for the family that sounds like alot of fun. Even if Ill be directing from my walker in 20 minute intervals. Lol. .

      It never occured to me until i read your post that she might actually have a problem with this. I suppose thats one of those bridges i will have to figure out how to cross, if and when I come to it.

      thanks again