ASK THE EXPERTS
Your Concrete and Masonry Questions Answered
Question: The metal handrail on my back steps has come loose and become a real safety hazard, especially for my young kids. What is the best way to fix the handrail before someone gets hurt?
Answer: Loose handrails can be very dangerous, so it’s great you’re addressing the problem quickly. QUIKRETE® Anchoring Cement is a proven product for this project, but QUIKRETE® FastSet™ Anchoring Epoxy or QUIKRETE® High Strength Anchoring Epoxy applied with a caulk gun make the job easier. Watch the video below:
A great way to view and understand your building or repair project before you get started. Find out just about everything you need to know by watching the video below.
Anchoring handrails - or securing any object to concrete or masonry using threaded rods, rebar, bolts or dowels - requires a high strength, permanent bond, especially applications that will be subjected to heavy loads or vibration. Depending upon your specific anchoring application, QUIKRETE manufactures an Anchoring Epoxy that will fit your project requirements.
Step 1
Drill a hole 1/16 to 1/4 inch larger than the diameter of the threaded rod or railing
you are setting.
TIP: the hole depth should be a minimum of 4 1/2 times the diameter of the bolt (a 1/2 inch threaded rod would require a hole depth of 2 1/4 inches).
NOTE: for heavy duty applications that are subjected to heavy loads or vibration, it is recommended that the depth of the hole be increased to a minimum of 9 times the diameter of the treaded rod (a 1/2 inch treaded rod would require a depth of 4 1/2 inches).
Step 2
Blow out the dust from the bottom of the hole using cans of compressed air.
Step 3
Remove any remaining debris from the hole using a nylon brush. Rotate the bush a quarter
of a turn as it is removed from the hole. Use the compressed air to remove any remaining dust after brushing.
Step 4
Insert the anchoring epoxy cartridge into the caulk gun.
TIP: it is highly recommended that a high quality, high strength dispensing gun be used because of the significant amount of force required to dispense the two part epoxy through the static mixer nozzle.
Step 5
Remove the plastic cap from the tip of the cartridge.
Step 6
Dispense a small amount of epoxy into a disposable container until you get an even
flow of both the black and white material.
Step 7
Attach the static mixer nozzle on to the cartridge and dispense enough epoxy into
the disposable container until a consistent gray color is achieved with no streaks.
Step 8
Place the tip of the dispensing nozzle into the bottom of the hole and fill the hole
about 5/8 full while slowly withdrawing the nozzle.
Step 9
Insert the treaded rod or rebar to the bottom of the hole while turning clockwise.
Step 10
Remove any excess epoxy from around the hole with a putty knife or piece of cardboard.
Step 11
Leave the anchor un-disturbed until the cure time has passed.
Step 12
Remove and discard the static mixer nozzle and replace the cartridge cap.
