How to Put Rail Posts on Top of Old Concrete

Concrete can be treacherous ground in the rain and snow, so installing a handrail is a good idea. Guests can grasp the rail when the ground is slippery from water or falling leaves. But old concrete poses a problem when installing the railing. If the concrete already has structural problems due to age, driving rail bolts into it can increase the damage. Take care of your concrete before you start the installation and it will save you a massive headache down the road.

Hammer
Chisel
Concrete
Trowel
Pencil
Post base
Electric drill
Drill bits
Rail post
Rubber cement
Bolts

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the old concrete for cracks and worn out areas. Concrete with potholes is not the ideal location for a fence, so dig out the potholes with a hammer and chisel to form a square opening and refill it with concrete. Smooth out the concrete with a trowel.
- 2
  Mark the location for the pole with a pencil. Place a metal fence post base, which is a metal sleeve that holds the base of the pole, over the pencil mark.
- 3
  Drill holes through the bolt holes at the bottom of the base. Use a masonry bit on the drill to cut through the concrete.
- 4
  Stick the base of the fence post into the top opening of the metal base. Drill through the designated openings for the bolts and into the fence post. Use a drill bit designed for the fence post material.
- 5
  Fill the holes in the cement and rail post with rubber cement. Insert metal bolts of the proper size through each hole in the metal base. Tighten down the bolts so they hold the rail post securely.

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