Handrail - repair or remove options?

[fishbait]

I have a stainless handrail that is supposed to mount in a socket at the top of the steps and another socket underwater in the pool. Both sockets were neglected and can no longer be used to clamp down on the rail. The rail will still slip into them but he plaster around the socket in the water is all chipped away and damaged. Id rather have no rail than one that pulls out if you pull on it. Here is what I would like to do, is this possible?

Can I get some underwater epoxy and fill the underwater socket and fill/smooth out the chipped plaster? Has anyone got any real experience with this? Don't really care what it looks like (dark spot / light spot) as much as what it feels like when walking in the pool. Would this hold up until re-plaster time in the next few years or so? I'd like to do this and then just get a top mounted figure 4 rail or something, if any rail at all. The no rail look is growing on me. I feel like I'm doing 20 years worth of maintenance in 2 months with this pool and the neglected issues.

 

[ajw22]

Post pics of the sockets you want to fill in so we can better understand your situation.

 

[fishbait]

Post pics of the sockets you want to fill in so we can better understand your situation.

Ill take some pictures later today, but its your standard metal rail socket that the rail slides in and then you tighten the screw that drives a wedge against the rail. Looks like brass or white metal to me. The socket is non-functional. I can deal with the one in the deck, but not sure what to fill the one in the pool with. The plaster is chipped around it. My thought is fill it halfway with sand, then use some underwater epoxy and smooth it over the socket and chipped plaster. Is that doable? Best product? Tips?

 

[PoolBrews]

Looking at my socket, I could replace the wedge and bolt that tightens down if I had to - can you just repair the socket? I understand that the no rail look is growing on you - when we had our new pool installed 3 years ago we went with no rail. However, we've had plenty of friends over that really want/need a rail, so we had one installed a year after the pool was built.

The older you get, the more you'll want a rail, and your socket is already bonded (or should be) to the pool. Just my 2 cents.

 

[fishbait]

Looking at my socket, I could replace the wedge and bolt that tightens down if I had to - can you just repair the socket? I understand that the no rail look is growing on you - when we had our new pool installed 3 years ago we went with no rail. However, we've had plenty of friends over that really want/need a rail, so we had one installed a year after the pool was built.

The older you get, the more you'll want a rail, and your socket is already bonded (or should be) to the pool. Just my 2 cents.

I could try. The wedge piece with screw was laying in the bottom of the socket, I retrieved it. it will need to be soaked in something to free up the screw. No sign of the one on the top. I would have to chase each threaded hole out as I think they are full of scale or something else. I could give it a try.

 

[1poolman1]

Wedge bolt assemblies are available separately. Do not use epoxy as you will, likely, insulate the rail from the socket and lose your bonding. Try these (not recommending the supplier, just the part). They are driven into the rail to both straighten the rail and give the wedge something to hold against without collapsing.

Pool Tool Company Tool,Pool Tool,Handrail Stabilizing Plug,Carbon Fiber,1.9" | 136-A

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[otter86753]

We removed the deep end ladder and didn't want to risk further damage (done by a contractor ) to the tabby and opted not to remove the sockets but instead to cover them with these brass covers. I did a quick search and found these that could work in the pool in the short term until you redo it.

 

[fishbait]

Here are some pictures of my sockets. The top would be easy for me to remove or repair, but the underwater one not so easy. I'm still thinking I would like to fill the in pool socket in and flatten it out. It feels nasty when stepped on. I don't mind buying a deck mounted rail that extends down to the bottom step. Like the figure 4 type.

 

[1poolman1]

Hard to tell, but the socket in the pool appears to just be missing the wedge-bolt assembly.

Perma Cast PW Perma-Socket Wedge Assy, 3", 4" Sockets​

One on the deck shouldn't be too difficult to replace. Figure-4 rail would, obviously, need another anchor drilled into the deck. I always recommend Saftron as they stay cooler to the touch and don't need to be bonded as they are plastic coated.