I had purchased an SR Smith ART-1004 Deck Mounted Stair Rail along with two AS-100B Pool 4" Bronze Anchor Sockets. In Late September 2022 these were installed by the pool installation company while pouring the concrete patio for my in-ground fiberglass pool. After the install, periodically, the handrail would get so loose it can be wiggle or just lifted out. On four occasions, the retaining bolts have had to be tightened. I later found that the handrail had probably not been fully seated into the anchor sockets, and the tightening had somewhat bent in one side of the stair rail mounting point.
After some discussion/advice on TFP I ordered the Pool Tool Company Handrail Stabilizing Plug (136-B). I ordered the B version as it is just a little bit smaller (0.025"), and given the distortion in the railing mounting area I thought they might fit better. I also ordered a Tailpipe Expander set to re-round the rail mounting feet.
It took a LONG TIME to get the plug from the store I ordered from - but I did finally get them.
Today I pulled the stair rail, used the Tail Pipe Expander tool to re-round the railing feet, and installed the Stabilizing Plug without much issue and re-installed the railing (Remembering this time to put on the collars BEFORE tightening the anchors). Everything seems firm and well anchored now.
I think I have this problem solved
After some discussion/advice on TFP I ordered the Pool Tool Company Handrail Stabilizing Plug (136-B). I ordered the B version as it is just a little bit smaller (0.025"), and given the distortion in the railing mounting area I thought they might fit better. I also ordered a Tailpipe Expander set to re-round the rail mounting feet.
It took a LONG TIME to get the plug from the store I ordered from - but I did finally get them.
Today I pulled the stair rail, used the Tail Pipe Expander tool to re-round the railing feet, and installed the Stabilizing Plug without much issue and re-installed the railing (Remembering this time to put on the collars BEFORE tightening the anchors). Everything seems firm and well anchored now.
I think I have this problem solved