Repairing Broken Stair Banisters

Stair banisters offer support for the rail as well as aesthetic appeal to the overall stairway design. Whether through wear, defect or an accident, banisters can break, resulting in cracks that divide the banister into two pieces. When a stair banister breaks, you may not necessarily need to replace the banister. The first step is to attempt a basic repair to the broken stair banister. If this fails, then a replacement banister can typically be purchased from any home repair store.

Things You'll Need

• Wood glue
• Clamp
• 150 grit sandpaper
• Paint
• Sponge brush

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Separate the broken pieces of the banister, keeping them in the rail if possible, and fill the space with wood glue.

   • 2

     Place the two pieces back together so that the break is nearly invisible. If the pieces will not stay together for drying, then use a wood clamp to hold the pieces in place. You'll typically need to let the wood glue dry for 24 hours before removing the clamp.

   • 3

     Remove the clamp, if you applied one, and sand away any glue that oozed from the seam.

   • 4

     Repaint the banister and allow it to dry.