How to Tighten a Banister

Stair banisters can occasionally become loose and may need to be tightened.

Stair banisters are designed provide a stable surface to grab onto so you do not fall while going up and down a staircase. After continued use, the hardware that attaches the banister to the wall or the connection at the newel post can become loose. This can be a safety hazard and should be repaired as soon as possible. A stair banister can be tightened in several minutes with a few basic tools.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Safety glasses
• 1 1/2- or 2-inch-long lag screw
• Wood putty

Instructions

1. Grab the banister and gently shake it while moving from the bottom of the stairs to the top. Look for the location where the banister is loose. It will either be where it connects to the wall or where it is secured to a newel post.

2. Inspect the banister at the location where it connects to the wall and the support brackets beneath it. Examine all the screws in the metal brackets. If they are loose, tighten them back into the banister with a screwdriver. Also, make sure to tighten the screws that secure the brackets to the wall.

3. Look at the banister where it connects to the top or base of the newel post to see if this is where it is loose. Use a 1/4-inch drill bit and a drill. Hold the drill bit at a 45-degree angle against the underside of the banister, while aiming it upward at the newel post. Make a 2-inch-deep hole that goes through the banister and into the newel post.

4. Push a 2-inch-long lag screw into the opening you made and tighten it with the screwdriver. The top of the screw should be just below the wood on the banister.

5. Cover the opening with wood putty that is the same color as the banister to conceal the new screw.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses when using a drill to prevent injury.

References

• House Task; Staircase Repair; Jim Sulski; June 2005