When the metal handrails of your home are exposed to moisture, especially when they have been installed outdoors, they are prone to rusting. Not only is rust highly unattractive on your shiny metal surface, it can also have a detrimental effect on the integrity of your railings. Whilst it can be pretty difficult to keep your handrails away from moisture, there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent rust from developing.
- Apply a protective coat of paint, primer or varnish to your metal handrails to help prevent moisture from getting too close. Make sure that you reapply these coatings every few years, as they will begin to crack and peel as they age, which prevents moisture to slip through the gaps.
- Remove scratches using varying degrees of sandpaper as soon as you notice them developing. Not only will scratches damage the protective layer of paint you have applied to the handrail, they will allow moisture to seep through into the metal below.
- Make sure that handrails are painted as soon as they are installed, as rusting can often begin during construction. If rusting begins before you have applied a protective coating, the metal will continue to corrode beneath the paint or primer.
- When your handrails have been allowed to sit uncovered for a period of time, it is important that you thoroughly rub them with sandpaper and a wire brush to remove any traces of rust before painting. Rust will actually prevent the paint from taking to the metal.
- For maximum protection, some people like to apply several protective coatings to their handrails. You can first apply a layer of paint, then a layer of primer and finish with a layer of waterproof paint. This method is still not, however, foolproof.
- Purchase a spray-based rust cleaner and use it to remove any traces of rusting on your handrails. If you purchase an organic product, you can rest assured that it will be easy to use, all natural and pose no nasty side effects to your family.
By following the above tips you can rest assured that you have done everything in your power to protect your metal handrails from the hazards of rusting. As well as making your balconies and stairways look entirely unattractive, rusting also poses other sorts of risks, including decreasing the integrity of the metal and even allowing clothes to get caught as you walk past. Take steps from the very beginning to prevent this from occurring.