How to best fill a hole in the top of external stair handrail posts

Lbrakenick on 03/08/2020 - 19:42

I have timber external stairs with bollards on top of the posts which I would like to remove. I can think of a few methods to fill the hole left by the bollard but looking for any other options I haven't considered.

The hole left in the post is 35mm diameter and 40mm deep.

Methods I can think of to do this:
1. Fill the entire hole with liquid nails
2. Fill the hole with an exterior timber filler instructions say this needs to be applied in 10mm layers
3. Get a treated pine post, use a hole saw to core out a piece to fit in the hole and then use builders nails to glue it in, then filler for the hole saw hole
4. Circular saw the entire bollard off sitting in the post
5. Circular saw the bottom of the bollard and then use that with builders nails as a core

Whatever method is used I'll use filler, sand it back flush and then paint over.

Post with bollard
Hole
Hole

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Hybroid on 03/08/2020 - 19:44
    +1

    Polyfilla is the way to go. Sand it down and clean as much as possible then fill up.

    Alternatively, have you considered sticking an outdoor lamp on there? Looks like could work nicely.

    • Quantumcat on 03/08/2020 - 20:52

      Great idea, a solar lamp so you can see a bit where you're going at night

  • c64 on 03/08/2020 - 19:50

    wooden plug + epoxy or just put a cap over the thing

    • AnneThrope on 03/08/2020 - 20:51
      +1

      Another option is to ignore the hole and cap the whole post; no filling, painting or similar required.

      For example if it's 90mm square…
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/australian-handyman-supplies-89-…

      • hoey888 on 03/08/2020 - 21:08

        To be honest, I think this would be the preferred best long term option.

        Let say you plug the hole with something (builder blog, timber filler, liquid nails…etc), when water pools at the top its going to eventually weaken and make hole absorb water. Ok, maybe not over a year, but say 10 or 20 years. Best practical solution would be covering it some sort of material that won't crack or be porous.

        If you can't, you could make something out of aluminium or lead flashing.

  • Presence on 03/08/2020 - 20:08
    +3

    Builders bog.

    • JimmyF on 03/08/2020 - 20:56

      Yep anything outside that needs filling, is 100% builders bog these days!

      in the OP case though, something to 3/4 fill that hole would be needed to save on bog :)

  • elgrande on 03/08/2020 - 20:50

    I think your overthinking it…

    This is DIY level -33.

  • mr-incredulous on 03/08/2020 - 20:56
    +1

    So the bollard has a piece which normally occupies that hole? Can you cut that piece off of the bollard and use filler for gaps?

    • AdosHouse on 03/08/2020 - 21:37

      This.

      Or go get a 35mm hardwood dowel.

  • mskeggs on 03/08/2020 - 21:04
    +1

    I think it would look nice with a flat square sitting on top, overhanging a centimetre on each side as a cap. That would give a solid, flat surface that would protect it from any standing water.

  • Stewardo on 03/08/2020 - 21:41
    +3

    This is called a Capital.
    If you don’t like the look of it I’d replace it with something more subtle, like a timber fence post cap, or a metal fence post cap. Don’t leave it flat and full if bog, it will rot and split.

  • Duckie2hh on 04/08/2020 - 06:28

    I've seen plenty of success with instant noodles.

  • Euphemistic on 04/08/2020 - 08:00
    +1

    Whatever you end up filling it with, it’s worth making the top not flat to allow water to run off, and it rot the timber.

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