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Installing stair railings can be a great help for those who want to age in place or improve the safety of their property. But where do you turn when you’re looking for a railing installation in Charleston, WV? You need reliable handyman services from a Charleston handyman, of course!
And when you need the professional services of a handyman, you turn to the top-rated local pros at Mr. Handyman of Kanawha Valley. We offer a wide range of handyman services, including railing installation in Charleston, WV. Plus, we can also handle handrail replacement and repairs for existing railings. Whether you're looking to add deck railings or stair rails, we offer professional installation services. Railings are a necessary safety measure, and not just for individuals with disabilities.
Our Services for Railing Replacement and Railing Installation in Charleston, WV
The proper installation of handrails is vital when it comes to enhanced safety features in your home. A proper railing installation in Charleston, WV, requires an expert in handrail installation. That's why you call Mr. Handyman.
When it comes to making your home accessible for aging or elderly relatives, there are important considerations to be made. A professional handrail installation in Charleston, WV, can be a huge boon to your home's safety. After all, it's easy for aging individuals to suffer an accident and a subsequent fall. You don't want to contemplate the thought of having to lie on the floor for hours until someone finds you or your relative. A proper railing installation in Charleston, WV, can help avert such a catastrophe. Or if you have an existing railing that requires some inspection, our handyman will handle that and, if needed, also take care of your railing replacement in Charleston, WV.
Railing Installation in Charleston, WV: The Differences Between Railings and Grab Bars
It's important to note the key differences between stair railings, grab bars, and handrails. Despite their similar names, they're not at all the same. Wood stair railings and handrails are different, and grab bars even more so. That's why it's important to have a professional railing installation done in Charleston, WV. Some of the key differences between the three include:
- Handrails are required to meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as they're designed to support an individual who has mobility needs in moving around.
- Grab bars must comply with building codes, particularly when they're in a commercial or shared space (i.e., a utility room in a condo building).
- Stair railings are intended to keep people from falling off a flight of stairs.
- Handrails come equipped with a different grip, making them better and more stable for seniors and individuals with disabilities to use.
- Handrails are designed to provide continuous support; this sets them apart from stair railings, which can be broken up by decorative posts or even gaps.
- Handrails are stronger and more durable; they're designed to withstand an adult pulling themselves up using the handrail as a support.
Now that you know the key differences between stair rails, grab bars, and handrails, we can start talking about the requirements for a railing installation in Charleston, WV. Get in touch with us to learn more about our handrail and grab bar installation services.
Railing Installation in Charleston, WV: Basic Handrail Requirements
When it comes to a railing installation in Charleston, WV, there are basic requirements that need to be met. These requirements are outlined in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which is also used worldwide. These requirements include:
- Handrails must be installed on both sides of stairs and ramps.
- The handrails must be continuous for the entire length of the stairs or ramp.
- The top of the rail must be between 34" and 38" above the ramp or stairs' walking surface.
- If the handrail is located in an area where children are its primary users, then a second bar may be added at an appropriate height.
- Grips need to have a minimum clearance of 1 1/2 inches from adjacent surfaces; this includes posts, walls, and brackets for the handrail.
- Grips must have a minimum clearance of 1 1/2 inches on the top and the sides.
- Circular handrails cannot be greater than 2" in diameter, and at minimum must be 1 1/4 inches in diameter.
- Grip surfaces and adjacent surfaces cannot have any abrasive or sharp elements; edges must be rounded to prevent injury.
- The handrail cannot be loose or rotated within its fixtures; it must be completely secure.
- The handrail should extend horizontally by, at minimum, 12" at the top of any flight of stairs or ramp, returning to the wall, guard, or landing surface.
Request a service to get started on the safety and mobility modifications at home, whether it’s a railing installation or railing replacement in Charleston, WV. We care that you have quality materials installed by true professionals.
Why Choose Mr. Handyman for Your Railing Installation in Charleston, WV
When you're looking for a professional handyman to handle your railing installation in Charleston, you want to ensure that you're hiring a qualified handyman. That's why you chose Mr. Handyman of Kanawha Valley. With our well-reviewed and highly qualified installation and repair services, you can trust that your railing installation in Charleston, WV, will be completely professional and up to federal requirements and building codes.
Our service professionals are uniquely qualified when it comes to railing installation in Charleston, WV, and can even handle a railing replacement in Charleston, WV. And with our clients raving about our exemplary service in our customer review section, you know that you've put your project in good hands.
Request a service today and get started on your handrail installation in Charleston, WV.
Frequently Asked Questions About Railing Installation in Charleston, WV
Which side do I need to install a handrail on stairs in a railing installation in Charleston, WV?
If you're in the Kanawha Valley region, and you're having a professional railing installation in Charleston, WV, then you need to ensure that handrails are installed on both sides of the stairway. These handrails must also be continuous with no gaps, which can increase the risk that someone may fall.
Where should a handrail start and stop in a railing installation in Charleston, WV?
No matter the surface, handrails need to extend horizontally above the upper landing, beginning directly above the nosing of the first riser. The minimum is 12". Additionally, the handrails need to extend at the slope of the stairway for a horizontal distance that's equal to a single tread depth beyond the nosing of the last riser.
What is the height code for a handrail for a railing installation in Charleston, WV?
The codes refer to safety regulations and recommendations that come from agencies like OSHA and IBC to ensure that there is safe public access for people with disabilities (according to the ADA and the Standards for Accessible Design or SAD). As a property owner, you need to be aware of these codes or find a handyman who is well-versed in them.
Handrails need to be continuous on both sides and around the landing unless located at an entrance. Additionally, the ADA sets a limit for handrail height in a railing installation in Charleston, WV: a minimum height of 34" and a maximum of 38". This is when used at the top to bottom of a stairway, ramp, or incline to provide additional support to individuals who might need it.
When is a handrail required? When do I need a railing installation in Charleston, WV?
The requirements are as follows for when handrails are required, and you will need a railing installation in Charleston, WV:
- When an employee must use stairs, ramps, or steps to access another level of the building. All areas that have no alternative route that provides safe passage without using stairs must include handrails, doorways and landings located at the bottom or top of a stairway.
- If any area on a floor, which includes hallways and corridors, contains one or more steps with a span of 4" or more than 36" horizontally to the ground.
- The design of ramps can potentially allow for installation without handrails. Handrails are only required in an area where employees work if it's a walking surface that has a running slope of less than 1:20 in height and does not have rails already in place.
Ultimately, however, the final authority on whether you install handrails or not is done by your region's local building codes. Contact our friendly customer service team to learn more about the requirements.
Do I need to have a railing installation in Charleston, WV, on a stairway of three steps?
Generally, no. OSHA recommends that you only need one for stairs that have a height of three feet or greater or have four or more steps. The question then becomes: is it illegal to have no handrails? Generally speaking, no, but you should consult with someone familiar with local building codes before making a final decision on whether a railing installation in Charleston, WV, is the right choice for you and your property.
Need a Railing Installation in Charleston, WV? Trust the Experts at Mr. Handyman
When you need help with a railing installation in Charleston, WV, on your commercial or residential property, trust an expert handyman from Mr. Handyman of Kanawha Valley. Throughout the entire process, we'll provide you with the customer care and service you've come to expect from the Mr. Handyman name, along with quality workmanship.
Whether you need help with minor repairs or with a railing installation in Charleston, WV, Mr. Handyman stands ready to help. If you need to book an appointment with one of our expert handymen, give us a call or book online today! We proudly serve the residents of Charleston and the surrounding areas of Dunbar and St. Albans.
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