Do you have old newel posts in the staircase of your home? If so, you might want to think about fixing the posts before they suffer any more cosmetic or structural damage. Not only does this diminish the appearance of your staircase, but it increases the risk of someone getting injured on it as well.
Old newel posts usually show signs of deterioration and wear and tear from the many years of people putting their hands on them or leaning against them with their bodies. As a result, these aged newel posts suffer cosmetic and structural damage that causes all kinds of problems for homeowners and other users.
Below are the top four common problems with old newel posts and the best ways you can fix them.
1) Wear and Tear
You can tell when your newel posts show signs of wear and tear because they will have scratches, scuffs, faded finishing, and other cosmetic imperfections on the outside. It doesn’t necessarily mean there is any structural damage, but you should still do something about it before it worsens.
The best way to fix worn newel posts is to sand off the old paint finish and then add a new coat of paint over it. Some homeowners will even wrap their posts with MDF boards or wood planks to cover up the imperfections.
2) Too Loose
Old newel posts tend to loosen over time because their screws and bolts gradually fall out or loosen. You can easily recognize when your newel posts are loose because they will feel wobbly whenever you put your hands on them.
Having loose and wobbly newel posts can cause structural damage and increase the risk of accidents on the staircase if they remain unrepaired. So, it is in your best interest to replace the old brackets, screws, and bolts with new ones to secure the posts to the staircase firmly.
3) Misalignment
Each newel post must connect and align with the handrail of the staircase perfectly. Otherwise, the stairs will be less safe for people to use.
Old newel posts can become misaligned if their wood material shrinks or their screws and bolts loosen or fall out. Tightening the screws and bolts is one way to fix the misalignment and make the handrail more stable.
However, if you see gaps between the handrail and posts because of shrinkage, you can try filling in those gaps with wood glue or epoxy filler to establish a stronger bond between them.
4) Structural Damage
If the old newel posts have been neglected for too long, you may need to do more than replace the screws and bolts if the posts feel loose and unstable. You may also have to install a metal rod inside the middle of each post for reinforcement and stabilization. It is really the only way to fix an old newel post without replacing it entirely.
In some cases, you may have no choice but to replace your newel posts if they are too structurally diminished and damaged.
Replace Your Old Newel Post
How would you like to replace an old newel post with a fresh one that has a conventional style to it? Contact Wood Carved Shop at (937) 772-7241 for more information.
