I am putting together 11m of (outdoor) balcony railing.
Spindles are 20mmx5mm strips (hot dip galvanized)
connected to rails by 5/32" screws and bolts (galv)
Rails are 20mmx20mm square profile bars, 2.5mm thick. Cold galv.
connected to Posts by 1/4" nuts and bolts (galv)
Posts are 30mmx30mm square profile bars, 3mm thick. Cold galv.
will be anchored ~ 200mm deep in existing concrete
I am painting everything with a phenolic primer then DTM (metal) paint.
And now the questions
I am looking for corrosion resistance.
1. Should I drill drainage holes at either side of each rail ? (welded the bolts tight, some zinc has been burned off inside)
2. Should I take the time to seal the ends of the rails ? ie look for plastic plugs, or squirt some silicone in - or really take the time and weld them shut.. Would moisture not enter in any case via the screw/nut holes ?
3. Should I drill drainage holes at concrete level for the posts ? Should I take care to somehow fill the bottom of the posts when anchoring, to prevent water potentially collecting in a cavity below the existing level of the concrete ?
Thanks for any input...
D.
Spindles are 20mmx5mm strips (hot dip galvanized)
connected to rails by 5/32" screws and bolts (galv)
Rails are 20mmx20mm square profile bars, 2.5mm thick. Cold galv.
connected to Posts by 1/4" nuts and bolts (galv)
Posts are 30mmx30mm square profile bars, 3mm thick. Cold galv.
will be anchored ~ 200mm deep in existing concrete
I am painting everything with a phenolic primer then DTM (metal) paint.
And now the questions
I am looking for corrosion resistance.
1. Should I drill drainage holes at either side of each rail ? (welded the bolts tight, some zinc has been burned off inside)
2. Should I take the time to seal the ends of the rails ? ie look for plastic plugs, or squirt some silicone in - or really take the time and weld them shut.. Would moisture not enter in any case via the screw/nut holes ?
3. Should I drill drainage holes at concrete level for the posts ? Should I take care to somehow fill the bottom of the posts when anchoring, to prevent water potentially collecting in a cavity below the existing level of the concrete ?
Thanks for any input...
D.