Tips for tackling rust on steel handrails
Take a walk around any kind of public space and you will likely see a fair few handrails. They are visible at crossings, in car parks, lining public stairwells, protecting ledges, and more. They are crucial for health and safety. However, due to the external settings and other issues, a steel handrail can develop rust. If you don't consider this and tackle the problem, there may be big hazards.
What we want to do today is look at some of the main reasons why the rails rust. We will then look at solutions and what to do if you have rusting handrails.
Installation problems
A lot of handrails are steel. External ones generally have a protective coating, whether it is paint or zinc from galvanisation. However, these coatings can suffer wear and tear with time. That can compromise the coating, exposing the substrate and allowing rust.
One of the major causes of issues here is improper installation to walls. Often they are mounted into concrete. The installer may use cement or mortar to secure them in place. The materials are cheap and easy to use. However, when the rails move, it can result in tiny scratches around the mounting holes. In time it can ruin the protective coating, allowing water to wick through. Inevitably, it will cause rust.
The solution here is to use epoxy grout to secure a handrail to the wall. The grouts are much better than cement or mortar. They won't contain any tiny shards of material that can result in scratches. While they are more costly, they ensure you will be less likely to have a rust problem.
Think about salt
Steel and salt don't mix. It can accelerate the corrosion, rapidly eating through the metal. Sadly, there are a number of settings where salt is common. It could be a coastal location with briny air. Or it may be a northern area where snow and ice are more common. Here it is common to use it make roads, paths, and other public spaces safer.
It is more difficult to find a solution for the salt. Ideally what you need to do is get steel with a protective coating and take absolute care to make sure you don't damage it. This will mean the salt can't get to the vulnerable substrate.
What if there is already rust?
Sadly you may already see rust on a handrail. Depending on the extent, you can have a number of options for what to do next.
The first option is to paint the rails. If you catch it early and the corrosion hasn't eaten through the metal, this is a good idea. What you need to do first is strip away the rust and any loose paint. Sandblasting is generally the best way to do it. You then need to quickly add primer to the bare steel. Choose one that will inhibit rust for extra protection. You can finish off with a top coat of paint. An epoxy one can be best, but will be the most costly usually.
It is trickier to repair the rails if the rust has eaten through the metal. It may happen because of salt or simply due to the length of time it has been corroding. But, holes don't mean you need a whole new railing. Instead, you may be able to weld new steel in place. You can then go through the steps above to prepare and paint.
Do you need a quality handrail?
At Barrier Mart, we understand how important rails are as well as the risk of rust and the ways it can compromise safety. We hope the information above helps to tackle problems. We can also help by providing high quality products such as key clamp parts and steel tubing. They can be the basis for excellent handrails. Plus, we can offer installation.
So, if you need a handrail, consider the options we have for you. Feel free to purchase via our website if you want to order, or contact us for help and design advice.