Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 1/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Help. My dog ate the corner off the base of where one of the stair posts fits into. In fact, it is no longer square, but round. Replacing this is going to be a major job since it is located at the bottom of the stairs and is attached to the slap foundation underneath. Is there anything I can purchase to rebuild the corner.

ANSWER: Cheryl,
No sure what you are talking about.  Is this a trim piece that wraps around or dresses the base of a newel post or baluster?   

If it helps, you can send me a photo of your issue to joseph@westfiremfg.com and I'll have a clear idea of what it is you need.  

There is usually a fix for everything, even fixing things around dogs with strange appetites.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I sent you some pics, did you receive them. Thanks

Answer
Cheryl,

To do a repair on this, I would take a sabre saw, cut out all of the rough over hang and square it off; take 3/4" material, the same depth of the overhang, and glue and screw in to the area removed.  I would use woodworker's glue and possibly a could thin cabinet or wood screws.  Once it dries and is stable, I would use wood filler or bondo and putting in smooth as possible around the cracks/gaps.  Once that set you can hand sand or use an orbital sander to finish.  Once you are done you can repaint.  With the trim around the newel post, I would lay on some wood filler, let it dry, and then handsand to blend in.  For me this would be the only and best solution short of removing the newel post and replace the plate.