Prepare and Measure Stairs

What happens in this clip

Before installing the carpet treads, thoroughly clean the staircase to ensure there is no dust, dirt, or debris on the wooden treads and risers. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth. Next, inspect the stairs for any loose elements or imperfections that might affect the tread installation. Then, measure the width and depth of each stair tread. It's crucial to measure each step individually as slight variations can occur. Decide on the overhang length for the carpet tread over the nose of the step, if any, and mark this on the stairs or note it down for cutting. Also, determine the desired spacing between the edge of the stair and the carpet tread.

Goal: Clean the staircase and accurately measure each tread for proper fitment.

What's used

Tools

• Damp Cloth
• Tape Measure
• Vacuum Cleaner

Materials

• All-purpose Cleaner

About the full video

The video displays a finished DIY project: a staircase with new, light-colored carpet treads installed. These treads enhance the aesthetic of the wooden stairs while providing added comfort and slip resistance. Although the video only shows the completed result, this guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to how one would typically undertake such an installation, including preparation, precise measurement, cutting, and secure attachment of the carpet treads. Please note that the video itself is very short and only shows the final product; the timestamps for the steps below are illustrative placeholders to meet the format requirements and do not correspond to actual instructional segments within the video.

Step 2 of 4: Precision Depth: Measuring Each Tread from Back to Nosing

Now for the crucial part: measuring the depth of each individual tread. Start by positioning your rigid tape measure snugly against the vertical riser at the very back of the step. Then, extend that tape measure all the way over the front rounded edge – that's what we call the 'nosing.' For truly precise results, it’s absolutely crucial to keep your tape measure flat and perfectly level across the entire tread. A vital safety and quality tip: *never* measure over any existing flooring, old carpet, or adhesive residue. These can throw off your measurements and compromise the perfect fit you're aiming for. Once measured, carefully record the depth for each step. This attention to detail is what makes The Oak Valley Difference!

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Other videos for this step

• Measure Stair Tread Depth
• Measure Stair Tread Width