How to Build a Metal Rail on a Porch for an Elderly Father

As people grow older, they often lose their sense of balance, which can lead to them falling more easily. You can make your home safer for your elderly father by building a metal rail onto your porch. The metal rail can provide him with something to hold onto when walking on the porch, and prevent him from falling.

Hammer drill
Masonry drill bit
Safety goggles
Concrete sleeve anchors
Hammer
Socket wrench
Paint
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Place the rail onto the porch in the location you're installing it.
- 2
  Mark the holes for the bolts in the railing onto the porch, then remove the railing.
- 3
  Drill pilot holes into the porch, using a hammer drill that has a masonry drill bit.
- 4
  Remove the bolts from the concrete sleeve anchors.
- 5
  Insert the sleeve anchors into the pilot holes until they are flush with the surface of the porch. Tap them gently with a hammer, if needed.
- 6
  Place the railing into position, aligning the holes in the railing with the pilot holes. Drive the bolts into the anchor sleeves with a socket wrench. Do not overtighten the bolts because you can break the anchor sleeves.
- 7
  Paint the heads of the bolts to match the railing.

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