Repairing Wrought Iron Railings
Wrought iron can last a lifetime but it does need maintenance on a regular basis. It is susceptible to rusting that over time can destroy the material, rendering it weak and unusable. The following steps will help you to restore anything you have made from wrought iron.
The majority of contemporary “wrought iron” stair and porch railings are constructed of aluminum or hollow steel, which can rust or become loose over time. Repainting imitation wrought iron is relatively simple, and most homeowners are capable of repairing loose railings. If you have genuine, solid, forged wrought iron, you may require the services of an expert. Continue reading to learn more.
Repairing Fasteners
Metal railings are typically screwed to wood and bolted to other sections of railing. If your railing is loose, check these connections first and use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten the fasteners. If a bolt is unable to be securely tightened by hand, remove it, inspect it for damage, and replace it with another bolt of the same size. If a screw is unable to be tightened into wood, try substituting a slightly larger screw. If that does not work, locate and press a plastic wall anchor into the hole in the wood. When you drive the screw into the anchor, it will expand and grip the surrounding wood.
WD-40 or a Comparable Lubricant
If a fastener needs to be tightened or removed, spray it with penetrating oil and wait 30 minutes. Oil should lubricate the connection sufficiently to allow you to tighten or loosen the fastener. Penetrating oil is available at most hardware stores. Penetrating oil is supplied in an aerosol can equipped with a plastic straw for precise spraying. Utilize the straw to spray the oil more deeply into the connection.
Fasteners and Anchors
If your railing is secured to the concrete with fasteners, remove them if the connection is loose. Remove screws or bolts with a screwdriver or pliers. Plastic anchors are embedded in the concrete. Leave these alone if they are secure and in good condition. If they are dislodged, extract them with pliers.
Significantly Larger Fasteners and Anchors
Select some screws, bolts, or nails slightly larger in diameter than the previous ones and feed them through the bottom of the railing post and into the anchors. They will further expand the anchors, which may resolve your loose railing issue. Take the old fasteners to a hardware store if necessary to obtain slightly larger replacements. Replace damaged anchors with new ones of the same size.
Utilizing Epoxy
If the holes in the concrete have grown too large to accommodate the anchors, completely fill them with a masonry epoxy. Then insert the anchors, align the bottom of the railing post, and secure with fasteners. Allow the epoxy to cure according to the package instructions before attempting to use the railing. Immediately wipe away any excess epoxy with a damp cloth.