Stair Repair – Installing a New Post

In most cases, a broken post can’t be completely fixed and the post must be replaced. Depending on the age and style of your staircase, you may be able to find exactly what you need or you may have to custom order a post. If you have experience or enjoy DIY projects, replacing your broken post can be done relatively easily with these instructions.

Start by cutting the broken post into two sections with a handsaw. Moving the upper portion side to side, you should be able to pry it from the underside of the banister. Remove any nails left behind. At the base of the post are the lag screws. You will want to loosen and remove these; this will allow you to remove the bottom section of the post. Save all of the screws and washers.

With a power or cordless drill with a ¾ inch bit, bore a ½ inch deep hole cleaning out the dowel port on the underside of the bannister. Be careful not to drill through the railing as you do this. Follow by drilling a ¾ inch hole 3 inches deep at the center of the top end of the post for a wooden dowel.

Apply wood glue into the ¾ inch hole at the top of the post and use a hammer to drive a ¾ inch dowel into the hole. You should have ½ an inch of dowel sticking up from the top of the post. Cut off any excess.

Measure from the top of the tread where the old post was installed to the underside of the banister where it will attach. Make any adjustments needed to the length of the post.
Once the proper length, apply wood glue to the top of the post and the wooden dowel.

Position post into place and fit dowel into hole on the underside of the banister. Use lag screws and washers from the previous post to attach the lower end of the new post into place.

And voila, your new post is installed!