Who will actually come out?
STL Railing Repair is a referral line, not a railing company. When you call or send the form, we pass your request to an independent local railing or ironwork pro who serves your area. They contact you, quote the job and do the work, and they're responsible for it.
Is it free to call?
Yes. There's no charge to you for the referral. Whatever the pro quotes is between you and them.
How do I know if rust is a problem or just ugly?
Press a screwdriver on the worst spot. Hard metal under the flakes means it's mostly cosmetic. If it goes through, crumbles, or the post looks thin at the bottom, it's worth having a pro look before the railing has to hold someone. Chapter II of the guide on our home page covers this.
My railing is wobbly. Can I wait until spring?
If it guards a drop or people rely on it on the way down, don't wait on a wobble. Icy steps are when railings get used hardest. At least tell people not to lean on it, and call so a pro can tell you how soon they can get to it.
Can you match my old railing?
Many pros can match common patterns such as straight pickets, twisted pickets and simple scrolls. Ornate cast pieces are harder. Send photos of an intact section and the broken part.
Wrought iron, cast iron, steel: does it matter?
Most "wrought iron" railings today are actually mild steel. Older houses may have cast iron panels or posts, which repair differently (cast iron is brittle and doesn't weld like steel). If you're not sure, choose "Not sure" on the form.
Do I need a permit or historic approval?
For repairs, usually not. For new railings or changes to the look of a house in a historic district, it depends on your city. Check with the building department, or with the historic preservation office if you're in a district.
Is winter a bad time?
Winter is a fine time to get quotes and measurements, and urgent repairs happen year-round. Painting and some masonry work need dry, milder weather, so finishing touches may wait for spring.
Do you cover Illinois?
Yes, Metro East requests are welcome: Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, O'Fallon IL, Alton and nearby. Put your ZIP code in the form so it goes to a pro who works there.
What about driveway gates and gate openers?
That's our sister referral line, STL Gate Repair: (314) 673-5554 or stlgaterepair.com. Walk gates and iron fences can come here.
The quickest way
Call the railing line
(314) 673-1016 Call now- Where the railing is and what it's attached to
- What's loose, rusted or broken
- Roughly how many steps or feet
- Photos, if you can text them later
You'll reach our referral line, or a local railing pro we route calls to. No charge for the referral.
Request a call back
Fill this in and a local railing pro can call you back. Prefer to talk? Call (314) 673-1016.