Asked on Jun 14, 2017
How do I attach a handrail to stone steps, or another idea?
by
Susan Miller
+3
We are told that the stone pavers will crack if a base plate is attached. While it may withstand one drill hole, four of them close together would crack the stone. Before installing the stone pavers, the base was constructed of brick and concrete blocks. We can't assume anything solid is under the pavers (Might hit airspace right where we need it to be solid, albeit small.) We have to have a 36" handrail on at least one side to pass inspection. Thank you!
Get someone with a hammer drill to drill into the stones and have them place a threaded anchor rod that is glued in with a special epoxy and use the type of base plate that screws onto the anchor rod.
Or don't attach it to the steps at all. Attach them to the solid foundation, putting them really close to the steps. Custom shaped handrails would really do the trick.
Anyway you can take those 2 upright beams and move them out to the edges of the steps, then you have something to fasten a railing to, and on the concrete below.
I like the idea of attaching the handrail to the foundation on at least one side. While you could use wrought iron, you might be able to get a railing made to match the fencing around the upper part of the patio. The railing would rise from about 36" to about 52". This is a lovely space. Best wishes 😇
I "rebuilt" some cracked parts of the flagstone near the base of the railings where they attach to the flagstone using some really strong Gorilla glue adhesive. I'm hoping to solidify the base so I can reuse some of the old anchors that are useable, but need to use some new ones. I was hoping to drill some new holes and use and expandable anchor. I'll put some more of the adhesive in the hole and then run the anchor screw in. Sound like an OK plan? I don't want to drill more holes in the old flagstone steps. (Tried to include some pix of the steps but it's taking too long to get them into the file folder.)