Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 11/24/2011

Question
Joseph
I have a railing in my home between the front room and the entrance, I guess as a safety and accent. It is 7'x3' and a fairly hard wood.
A coyple years ago the top rail began warping up. I dont know why-humidity maybe? It was fine the previous ten years we owned the home.
The spindles were glued and I tried that-didnt work, then had to resort to screws in the top and bottom of the spindles.Didnt look too professional and there were still gaps but they held (at least my gran daughter cant fall through)
Now the top is sow bowed out it has pulled the screws out.
Is there anything I can do? It is a hassle to keep the spindles in place. I thought I would get my 300 pound budy to sit on the top rail to straighten it while I rescrewed it!
Thanks for your thoughts

Answer
Barry,

Sounds like you are in a tough spot.  Basically, if the handrail was sealed there should never have been any bowing.  What kind of wood was it?  Oak?

Once bowed, from my experience, I don't think it could straighten out with balusters alone.  You would probably want a pin newel where the newel post tapers to a 1" dowel, and install that at the center of the bow.  Then take a #16 hex head lag screw, drill a 5/8" hole from the top, and screw it down into the newel pin.  That way the newel, well lagged to the floor, will hold the rail down and the balusters would stop coming out.  Balusters alone generally won't help this circumstance.

Worst case scenario would be to simply replace all of the handrail, keeping your existing newel and balusters.  A well stained and sealed (with varnish or lacquer) handrail will keep the wood from breathing and stay straight through the life time of your home.  Once it does breath and bends, it is difficult to make it behave.

To get an idea of a pin newel you can go to westfiremfg.com and enter 3013, 4013, 3513 to see these or try this link for a colonial style: http://www.mantels-stairs.com/Catalog_i10240324.html?catId=357271.

I cannot think of any other ideas other than the two posted above that would help your circumstance.  If it was my own handrail, I would probably just replace it.

Let me know if you need further help on this.  

Joseph