How to Replace a Broken Stair Spindle

Stair spindles are used to prevent falls from the edge of the stairs, as well as provide a decorative element to the room. If one of the stair spindles has been broken or damaged, you may notice that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Luckily, replacing a single broken stair spindle is not difficult at all and can be fixed by most homeowners with some experience working with wood and basic tools.

Before beginning, you must find a replacement spindle. These can be hard to find, especially if your house is old. If you cannot find an exact match, wait until you remove the damaged stair spindle. Then find a woodworker or ironworker who will be willing to reproduce the stair spindle. Then you can stain the spindle to match your staircase and reinstall it. Although reproducing the spindle may seem expensive, it is far less expensive then replacing all of the stair spindles to get a matching set.

Step 1: Use a jig saw to cut the damaged spindle in half if it has not already been removed from the staircase by force. Then pull the two halves of the spindle from the staircase, wiggling as necessary to remove it from the wood.

TIP: If you will need to have a replacement stair spindle made, cut carefully and keep the spindle for reference.

Step 2: Remove the fasteners used to hold the stair spindle in place. This requires chipping away any old glue and pulling out old nails with pliers, or cutting them flush with the wood.

Step 3: Carefully measure the space between the banister and the stair. Cut the stair spindle to fit this space, paying particular attention to the angled cut that may be required where the top of the spindle hits the rail. Other spindles may require only a blunt cut, and may fit into a hole in the underside of the rail.

Step 4: Mix two part epoxy and apply it to the underside of the rail where the top of the spindle will be and where the bottom of the spindle will sit. Do not be overly generous when applying the epoxy: it could bubble out from underneath the spindle.

Step 5: Slide the stair spindle into place. Use a rag to remove any visible epoxy immediately. Allow the epoxy to cure for several hours before continuing.

Step 6: Fill any gaps in wood staircases with wood putty. Touch up any paint or stain that may have been damaged by the epoxy or removing the stair spindle.