Fixing wobbly Newel post

[dneck37]

Hey guys, I have a loose Newel post at the top my stairs. It is not hollow so I'm trying to determine how it's secured in place. I have a baby gate pushing against it which I'm sure has mad the problem worse, but I'm not sure how to tighten it since it has a piece that comes down below the floor level of the 2nd floor. Do u think it is a washer and nut under the floor? I'm not sure how I'd get to it if so. Anyone else have any ideas? It is a 100 year old house in iowa photo attached.

[dneck37]

Photo of post

[CowboyAndIndian]

At the bottom of the Newel post, there are a couple of holes that will be filled in with plugs. Some plugs are quite visible and stand out, others are flush. Check towards the bottom and use a light at an angle to see if you can determine where the plug is.

Once you find the plug and remove it, you should see a nut connected to a bolt in the floor. Tighten the nut and that should do it. Here is a video that shows this method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GERTiyOgXNM.

There are couple of other methods that newel posts are attached to the floor. For example, here is a different one from This old house https://youtu.be/u6_TNkcGL5I

[lthenderson]

Probably the most cost effective and fastest method would simply be to add some more screws into the post to secure it though the piece that runs down to the top stair tread, plug and touch up the paint.