Corroded balustrade fixings/support brackets for timber balustrades

Causes

Exposure to air-borne salt, dust or dirt 

Listed under: Exterior, metal, timber and wood-based, timber, balconies, barriers and balustrades, decks, framing, patios, durability, corrosion, fixings

Cause

Exposure to air-borne salt, dust or dirt 

Repair

  • if fixings are basically sound and corrosion is minor and on the surface, sand to remove the corrosion, prime with a zinc-rich primer and then paint with at least two coats of appropriate good quality paint
  • if fixings are severely corroded, remove and replace them. Fixings and support brackets should be at least hot-dipped galvanised steel, or stainless steel in coastal environments. (Use 316 stainless steel where fixings are highly visible – 304 grade stainless steel can be subject to ‘tea staining’, a brown corrosion film that may not be visually acceptable)
  • all bolts should have 50 x 50 mm washers to head and nut
  • fabricated brackets must be minimum 5 mm thick mild steel that is hot-dip galvanised
  • depending on the circumstances the structure may require additional temporary support while fixings are replaced

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