On Wed, 12 Sep 2012 22:08:07 -0500, "David" wrote:

Lived in this house 35 years. Now wife needs a handrail to get up/down
front steps. Planning on going with metal railing, 36" high.. Posts are 2x2
with a square bottom flange with four holes for bolts. The manufacturer
recommends 3/8" x 4" expansion anchors for attaching posts to the concrete
steps.

The problem: A few years ago I overlaid the steps and sidewalk with
decorative concrete "stones" which are 11 x 14 x 3 1/2" thick. Two layers.
So, the concrete steps are 7" below the surface of the stones. The stones
are held in place with construction adhesive, which has been satisfactory so
far. But definitely will not hold the stones securely enough to support a
handrail. I could use 12" long expansion anchors to penetrate to the
concrete steps but they are 3/4" diameter and I'm concerned about the "swiss
cheese" effect on the concrete. Alternately, I could use 5/8" x 10" anchors
with only 3" in the step concrete, which would probably have enough holding
power and slightly less "swiss cheese".

What are the other options for securing the posts, if any? I would be
especially interested the approach others have successfully used in a
similar situation.


I haven't done this but one thought I have is to get some 3/8"
threaded rod. Drill 1/2" holes thru the "stones" and around 3" into
the concrete steps. Test fit things so you get the length of the
threaded rod correct for each location. Then epoxy the threaded rods
into the concrete, use a low viscosity epoxy and pour enough in to
fill up the part in the concrete, I probably would not fill the entire
hole up to the top with it as it would tend to cause the upper part to
get loaded when you tighten it, you only want to pull on the bottom
part so you don't lift the "stones".