This Old House general contractor Tom Silva rebuilds a corroded, unsafe wrought-iron railing. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Shopping list for How to Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing
– steel leg extensions
– spray primer
– bonding adhesive
– 3/16-inch-diameter x _-inch-long pop rivets
– duct tape
– hydraulic cement
– plastic bucket
– cloth
Tools for How to Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing:
– reciprocating saw with metal-cutting blade
– hammer-drill with _-inch-diameter masonry bit
– pliers
– caulk gun
– drill/driver fitted with 3/16-inch bit
– pop-rivet gun
– wet/dry vacuum
– 24-inch level
– pointed trowel
Tom replaced the rusted section of railing using a new piece of square steel with a round steel dowel welded inside. Local metal fabricators may be able to provide similar items. Tom had his parts fabricated by Boston Welding [https://www.bostonwelding.com/].
Tom used hydraulic cement to set the railing into the staircase. It is manufactured by Quikrete and available at home centers.
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How to Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing | This Old House
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You will have galvanic corrosion at the rivet site.
I sure am glad he didn't have someone weld new feet onto rusty tubing. Solid bar inserts are much stronger than brittle tubing welds and the epoxy will help to reduce water contact rusting the tubing further from the inside. That repair will outlast the railing. But…I thought just using the tape to hold the railing straight was a little sketchy. 😮
Did a similar repair a few years back except I knew a welder who welded new legs on the railing for me. Worth doing because replacing the railings was going to cost a fortune but I still remember how brutal it was spending hours in the hot sun with a hammer drill getting the metal pieces out of the concrete and preparing the holes. Not sure if all concrete is created equal but for anyone doing this job, be prepared to work on that piece.
Bad job. Like the first master who made this, you forgot to make holes in the condensate drain pipe. Now the pipe will rot above the rod inserted into it. For normal fixation of the railing in concrete, notches are needed on the bar that enters the steps. In general, for a woman who does not understand, this is a job well done.
Great job really would have liked to see some welding but I'm sure this solution will hold just fine
Chances are a whole new railing wouldn’t have been much difference in price
Do it the easy way to half sticks of dynamite board roughly a foot from the edges stand back light the fuse wait till it goes boom clean up the debris and start with a new one
Would have been just as best to take the rail with him and have them willed that extension on
This guy is a craftsman!
I'm a bit confused at the rivet part. Why not a rivet nut? How does the rivet actually grab the inner iron pole? I'm attempting the same repair and I just don't understand how the rivet is supposed to lock both parts into place.
Thank You ! Much Appreciated !
I would have put the hydraulic cement in first before the handrail. Then came back and add more.
His accent is iconic.
what’s the cost of replacing the rail and plates? having stuff fabricated and all this labor seems like it would outweigh the cost of just replacing the whole thing.
Normally I anchor a wider plate over the hole then cut off rotted post and re-weld new in
Tell em, “LARGE MARGE SENT YA’ …..💀😂💀😂
I wanted to see you guys match the color smh. Great Video..
Why don't you just have the welding shop just weld on new feet
This guy is an amateur! 😀
But this would still leave it a little rough to touch right even after the paint. Is making it smoother all about sanding more?
Apologies if that's a dumb question