How can I mount a railing in concrete steps when I encounter rebar in the hole?

Question

I need to install a handrail in concrete steps. The problem is that after drilling ~2" (5 cm) down into the concrete, the drill bit wouldn't go any further. I suspect I'm hitting rebar. This is about 2 & 1/2" (64 mm) from the edge of the steps. The instructions for the handrail say I must drill 3 & 1/2 inches (89 mm) down for a secure hold. Then I attach a 1/2" inch (13 mm) threaded rod and secure it to the concrete with construction adhesive.

Would it be okay for both posts if I made a small mold, filled it with concrete, measured accurately, and drilled down through that?

Or I could buy a rebar-cutting drill bit. But I have concrete at home already. Thanks for any suggestions in advance. I won't be tackling the problem for at least another week, since my neuropathy makes it hard to deal with the heat (I don't sweat).

Answer 1

New bit and a hammer drill will get you through it. Spent my 1st summer between college installing iron railing and that's the way we did it for railing that had tabs on the bottom and there was nothing we couldn't get through. If you hit rebar tip the drill at an angle and go on the side of the rebar.

For non tab installs we core drilled and used hydraulic cement.

Answer 2

This often happens in commercial construction where rebar is often. Rebar is a fairly soft steel, so a common drill bit (not carbide tipped) should be able to drill through it. Once through the rebar the tip will probably get thrashed and trash unless you know how to re-edge a bit. But very often it's just a hard piece of stone. Heat is hard on carbide hammer drill bits. I own a few hammer drills. The hammer drill setting on a person's cordless drill isn't the same as a dedicated hammer drill. They 'hammer'or chisel as much as they drill. The spiral part is more to remove material. The carbide is there for the tip to bust up the material. Don't force it. Work the trigger for speed and keep the hole clean. Is it possible to change the hole's location by drilling a new hole or 2 in the base of the railing?

Answer 3

Sounds like you're trying to use a regular drill and/or bit. You will need a hammer drill to properly install concrete anchors. A hammer drill moves not only round and round but up and down at the same time. I prefer SDS-type head attachments. Also, the quality of the anchor varies from probably will bend to goes in the hole and holds properly. There are a few varieties of concrete anchors (such as standard threaded and sleeved) that are available. For small anchoring jobs (not a handrail!) there's even screw type ones (they are blue). Where safety is concerned, don't try and cheap out and definitely a good thing you came here to ask for help.