Mounting wood posts to concrete steps is necessary for installing natural wooden rails, which provide an attractive, rust-free alternative to iron railings. Creating a sturdy connection that stands the test of time can be difficult, due both to the hardness of the concrete and the tendency of the wood post to expand and contract with weather changes. Dealing with the mounting difficulties requires you first install a post holder to keep the wooden post securely in place. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Place the post in the desired area and mark the placement with chalk. Mark each post corner and then remove the post.
2. Measure the edges of the post and choose a post holder that fits the post. Place the post holder on the step with the inside of the holder arranged around the post marks. Mark the holes in the post holder against the step for placement of the lag bolts.
3. Use the hammer drill with a concrete drill bit the same size as the lag bolts. Drill holes for the lag bolts to a depth equal to the length of the bolt used. Make certain each hole drilled is perpendicular to the surface of the step, as a tilt in the lag bolt can weaken the mount.
4. Place the post holder on the step with the post holder holes aligned with the holes in the concrete step. Mount the post holder securely to the step using the lag bolts. Use a socket wrench to place each lag bolt through the post holes with a washer between the bolt and the post holder.
5. Place the post upright into the post holder to mount to the concrete step.
6. Secure the post in the post holder. Depending on the post holder design, either tighten side bolts on the bracket to hold the post into place or insert wood screws through the sides of the post holder into the post itself.
Tags: post holder, Place post, concrete step, holder step, holder step with
