Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces - Basement railing question

I finished my basement and need to add the railing back. But I removed the wall at the bottom of the steps, so the lower 3 steps don't have a wall there (open).

I was going to cut back the original railing to end where the wall does. Should I extend it into the area some?

This is Kentucky, so I don't have the tough California codes here.

The wife wants it to end at the wall, but didn't want to get slammed later on by an inspector. Once this rail is cut, its permanent, lol.

It's always best to ask the inspector before you do something you are not sure about. They appreciate the forethought and it avoids arguments later.

It's always best to ask the inspector before you do something you are not sure about. They appreciate the forethought and it avoids arguments later.

When I say inspector, I meant home inspector, not a building inspector. This work won't be inspected. I did it over 10 years, bit by bit and just now putting the finishing touches on it.

If a home inspector marked it on his report to a prospective buyer (we don't plan to sell any time soon) I may have to either address the issue or tell the buyer I'm not doing squat about it. I just thought I'd get some opinions first before making a final decision on what to do.

As a home inspector, I would point out to my clients that the railing is not continuous and presents a safety hazard. Not sure without pictures, what you mean by removing the wall at the bottom of the steps. You may wish to add a post in this area to allow the railing to be reinstalled. Hope this helped.

I would agree with Ednor, even the most basic standards require the railing to run the full length of the stairs. I would run it on a full length wall or add a bannister

The California code I read says any continuous run over 30 inches requires railing. Not sure if that means for the whole stairway, or anything over 30. My guess is that the interpretation would be the stricter though.

There are 3 steps at the bottom where there is no wall on either side of the steps. The third step is less than 24 inches above the floor. Beyond that, the railing is there.

I will probably just cut it and deal with it later. Its not worth 4 years of my wife complaining.

Thanks for the comments!

Its not worth 4 years of my wife complaining.

Truer words have not been spoken. :rolleyes: