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. Does this Spark an idea?
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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
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Instructions
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Repair Baluster at the Top
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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.
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2
Hammer the shim in between the handrail and baluster. Drive the shim into the open space until the baluster is tight.
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3
Let the glue dry completely. This can take up to 4 hours.
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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
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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.
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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.
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7
Loosen and remove the broken pieces of the dowel rod. Use either a drill or pliers.
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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.
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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.
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