Reinforcing Stair Railings

Remove the wall brackets that attach the banister to the wall. Look for screws under the banister that attach it to the newel post and unscrew them.

Lift the banister up and away from the balusters and set it aside.

Take the balusters out one by one, numbering them on the bottom with a pencil to remember the order. Set them aside.

Remove the newel post by unscrewing any screws that are holding it to the floor. Some newel posts are attached with adhesive, so move it back and forth until it separates. Take care not to crack the wood.

Sand the bottom of the newel post to eliminate any adhesive buildup. Continue until the surface is flat and smooth. Sand down the area where the newel post stood in the wood base, ridding it of old, dry adhesive. Clean out any debris, such as sawdust or glue bits.

Drill a 2-inch deep hole in the center of the bottom of the newel post using a 1/2-inch drill bit. Then, drill a 1-inch deep hole in the wood base.

Insert the dowel into the wood base and fit the newel post over it for a dry fit. Trim the dowel as needed to ensure a tight fit with no gaps. Apply wood glue to the dowel and insert it into the newel post. Insert the newel post and dowel into the wood base and allow it to dry completely, about 24 hours.

Reassemble the railing by putting the balusters in place in the order they were originally. Apply glue lightly at the top of each baluster to adhere it to the inside of the hand rail. Set the hand rail over the balusters and attach it to the newel post and wall with screws.

Reinforce the hand rail to the newel post by adding additional screws. Drill a pilot hole from the underside of the hand rail into the newel post. Countersink the support screw. Cover it with putty and sand it smooth. Touch it up with paint or stain as needed.

Add extra support to the newel post by adding an additional screw. Drill a pilot hole that is long enough to go through the edge of the newel post and into the stair tread. Countersink the support screw, then apply putty. Sand and paint the screw head as needed to camouflage it.