How to Repair a Wood Staircase Baluster

Balusters are the smaller vertical pieces on a staircase. These can loosen over time due to aging and/or excessive pulling on the staircase handrails. Baluster repair requires different techniques depending on whether the problem is at the top or the bottom.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood glue
• Wooden shim
• Hammer
• Hand saw
• Pry bar
• Drill or pliers
• Dowel rod
• Finishing screw
• Wood putty and/or stain

Repair Baluster at the Top

1. Place wood glue on a wooden shim and attach it to the baluster. Wood glue can be messy so make sure you move fast and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

2. Hammer the shim in between the handrail and baluster. Drive the shim into the open space until the baluster is tight.

3. Let the glue dry completely. This can take up to 4 hours.

4. Take a small handsaw and remove any pieces of the shim that's visible. Cut as close to the baluster as possible so there's a straight finished line. If necessary, stain the shim to blend it in with the baluster finish.

Repair Baluster at the Bottom

5. Remove the baluster from the handrail. Balusters are attached through a dowel rod at the bottom and if the bottom end becomes loose it typically means the dowel rod has broken. Carefully pop the baluster out of place on the bottom.

6. Take out the top of the baluster using a pry bar. Pry the baluster loose carefully from the bottom side of the upper handrail carefully so you don't split the wood on the baluster or handrail.

7. Loosen and remove the broken pieces of the dowel rod. Use either a drill or pliers.

8. Use your wood glue and place a large amount of glue on a new dowel rod. Place the dowel rod into the baluster and then into the bottom part of the handrail.

9. Slide the baluster back into position at the top. Use a finishing screw and connect the baluster on the top back to the handrail. Cover the finishing screw with wood putty to keep it from being seen.