How to Attach a Post to the Top of a Wall

Place the post socket on top of the wall and adjust it until it is in the desired position. If accurate positioning is important, use a tape measure and a builder's square to confirm that the position is correct and that the socket is parallel to the edge of the wall.

Hold the post socket firmly in place. Use a sharp pencil to trace around the inside of each screw hole in the post socket base plate. The result is a number of pencil circles drawn on the brickwork. Each circle represents the position at which to drill a screw hole.

Fit a suitable size masonry bit into the chuck of an electric drill. Tighten the chuck, remove the chuck key and squeeze the drill trigger. Make sure that the bit spins centrally and without wobble.

Drill vertically into the brickwork to produce a hole at every circle drawn on the top of the wall. Drill to the depth recommended by the post socket manufacturers, or to the correct depth to accommodate the length of screws and screw anchors you use.

Push screw anchors into the holes. Align the post socket over the holes and secure it to the wall using suitable screws.

Fit the post into the socket. Fixing methods vary from product to product, so follow the manufacturer's instructions for securing it in place. This usually involves either tightening a clamp or securing the post with screws of carriage bolts through the sides of the socket and into the post.