What do I have going on here??

PoolnTN · May 30, 2014

I am trying to proactively get my handrail loose so I can remove it for closing. Previously it was left in and worked around I suppose. I can get some movement in the top hole but the bottom is totally rigid. I've been reading up and understand the wedge and bolt arrangement with the bottom hole...but what about the left? Is it just a hole with no wedge that's filled with crud and corrosion?

JohnT · May 30, 2014

It looks like the concrete finisher slopped some over the bolt. If that's the case, the concrete will be thin and you can chip it easily.

PoolnTN · May 30, 2014

I scraped in there and sure enough it was either concrete finisher or runoff from the patio concrete eroding. I was able to see the hole (I assume) in the wedge. What would be the best thing to pour into the hole to try and loosen it up? PB Blaster, CLR?

JohnT · May 30, 2014

Best thing would be to thread a bolt in partially and tap it down.

PoolnTN · May 30, 2014

Tried that, got it to go down some but the pipe is still totally frozen in there.

JohnT · May 30, 2014

PoolnTN said:
Tried that, got it to go down some but the pipe is still totally frozen in there.

The wedge is going to hold the pipe tightly until you can push it down. You might try tightening the bolt, then loosening it and tapping it with a hammer again.

PoolnTN · Jun 1, 2014

I got it to go down about 1/2". How far does it need to go down from the top?

JohnT · Jun 1, 2014

I don't remember, but I think further than that. Raining right now or I'd go check.

When you move the end of the railing back and forth, does the tubing move in the rear hole? You might try having somebody work the rail back and forth while you try pushing and pulling the tube over the stuck hole.

PoolnTN · Jun 2, 2014

The tube in the rear hole will not move. The tube in the front hole will rotate when the end of the rail is moved back and forth.