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Handrail and Guardrail Safety

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

Often, at a deck or landing, the home inspector will find that handrails and guardrails are not in accordance with safety guidelines. Another area where deficiencies often stick out like a sore thumb, include when the inspector is hired to inspect an outbuilding. The photo below, stairway to a barn loft, is an excellent example of the problem at hand.King of the house, bellingham home inspection, barnThe shape and dimensions of the handrail are not readily graspable and there is no rail return at the bottom end. Furthermore, lack of spindles and the gaps at the side of the rail would not stop a child from climbing through the rail. Another obvious matter, moving away from the handrail, is that there is no guardrail at the edge of the loft over at the right side of the stairs. A person walking around up there could easily fall. The discussion was that it is used for storing hay, so they did not need any of that "safety stuff." On the other hand, when people are busy working, focusing on another job, they are very vulnerable to slip-ups like stepping in the wrong place. Stepping in the wrong place at this location could result in serious injury.My suggestion would be to put in a proper handrail and a guardrail, at the top side, with a gate which could be opened up for loading and unloading the hay. Problems come in all shapes, sizes, and at all locations around the household

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Comments (12)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I've been in new homes under construction that were in that precise condition.

I wondered why they permitted buyers and their agents to enter the premises.

Nov 09, 2014 11:45 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Lenn,

That is a risk for sure. The other one I love is painting or staining over a rotted deck. I know several agents, and inspectors, who have had a foot go through and I have come close, prior to catching on to the problem.

Nov 10, 2014 01:28 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I definitely noticed the lack of a handrail on the top.  You're right, all it takes is some inattention and down you go.

Nov 10, 2014 01:57 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

As someone who recently broke her foot, I have a new found appreciate for this and have noticed issues in many places.

Nov 10, 2014 02:24 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

There's always something that can be improved upon and some excuse to go with it why it's not that important.  Best thing is to always take the safe route.  

Nov 10, 2014 03:32 AM
Scott Gleason, CRS
Coldwell Banker Realty - Westfield, NJ
Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist

This is good information to know, Steven.  Sharing this type of information with our buyers and sellers can save some problems down the road.

Nov 10, 2014 05:57 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

You can't imagine how needed they are!!  In 1995 I was in a terrible fall down a flight of stairs.  I lost my footing at the top of my second floor apt., knew instinctively I was in a death spiral, and also instinctively tried to reach with my right hand, as a right handed person.  There was nothing to my right.  I spun around to the left grabbing hold of the left handrail, but twisted my body up, and damaged my left knee -- which has caused a life-long ordeal.  Handrails on BOTH SIDES would have prevented my life-long left knee grief!  A simple thing, that causes me so much damage.

Nov 10, 2014 07:04 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

Handrails are some of the items I see most frequently in appraiser's comments.

Nov 10, 2014 07:06 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I sprained my ankle and have had a difficult time with stairs.  I can't believe how many front steps have no handrails.  It really is important for folks to be safe.

Nov 10, 2014 11:29 AM
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Railings are so very important for the elderly and kids, but also for everyone in between. I've been to houses where I wonder what the original builder's were thinking.

Nov 10, 2014 09:45 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A handrail to YOUTH remains invisible and unnecessary...To everyone else, it is a lifesaver...end result? Safety and necessity wins out

Nov 10, 2014 10:37 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Steve, This is one of those items you do not think much about till you really need them.

Nov 11, 2014 12:01 AM