Prepare and Protect Adjacent Areas

What happens in this clip

After significant demolition and remediation, the staircase and adjacent areas are carefully draped with plastic sheeting, secured firmly with blue painter's tape. This protective measure is implemented to shield newly installed carpet on the stairs and any other completed or sensitive surfaces from dust, debris, and potential damage during the ongoing renovation work. The extensive coverage ensures a clean separation between the active work zone and finished parts of the home.

Goal: Safeguard adjacent finished areas from construction debris and dust.

What's used

Tools

• Painter's Tape
• Plastic Sheeting
• Tarps

About the full video

This project chronicles the demolition phase of a laundry room and an adjacent half-bathroom renovation. It involves the challenging task of removing approximately 300 square feet of old floor tiles, including the careful preservation of a sentimental paw-print tile. A significant part of the project addresses an unexpected mold discovery behind the half-bathroom vanity, detailing its remediation through drywall removal and treatment. The video concludes with preparation steps, such as protecting surrounding areas with plastic sheeting, setting the stage for subsequent renovation phases.

Step 1 of 9: Secure the Area

Use painter's tape to secure plastic sheeting over doorways or vents leading away from the stairs. Place 'Do Not Enter' signs at the top and bottom of the stairs to alert household members and pets.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Remove Old Carpet from Stairs

1. Step 1: Secure the Area

   • 0:55–1:00 Prepare and Protect Adjacent Areas (this video)
   • 0:55–1:00 Seal Off Entryways
   • 0:26–0:34 Mask and Protect Surrounding Areas

2. Step 2: Loosen Carpet Edges

   • 0:58–1:33 Loosen Carpet from Tack Strips
   • 0:44–2:00 Remove Old Carpet

3. Step 3: Pull Carpet Up and Away

   • 0:21–0:50 Remove the Carpet
   • 0:58–3:40 Cut and Remove Main Carpet Sections
   • 0:44–2:00 Remove Old Carpet

4. Step 4: Remove Carpet Backing

   • 3:40–4:20 Remove Carpet Underpad
   • 0:02–0:09 Remove Carpet and Padding
   • 0:40–1:09 Remove Carpet Pad and Tack Strips

5. Step 5: Remove Padding

   • 2:46–3:43 Remove Carpet Padding
   • 1:00–1:25 Remove Carpet Pad
   • 1:33–1:40 Remove Carpet Padding

6. Step 6: Remove Tack Strips

   • 4:56–5:35 Remove Tack Strips
   • 0:31–0:55 Remove Tack Strips and Staples
   • 1:02–1:12 Remove Tack Strips

7. Step 7: Clean Stair Treads and Risers

   • 0:14–0:23 Initial Cleanup and Debris Removal
   • 0:23–0:26 Clean and Prepare Stairs for Finishing
   • 1:49–2:08 Clean Up Debris

8. Step 8: Inspect and Repair Stairs

   • 0:55–1:21 Apply Wood Filler to Blemishes
   • 7:20–7:30 Final Touches and Cleanup
   • 0:07–0:25 Inspect and Fill Imperfections

9. Step 9: Dispose of Materials

   • 1:07–1:12 Bag Carpet Sections
   • 7:37–8:39 Roll Padding with Tack Strips for Disposal
   • 3:46–3:50 Dispose of Carpet Debris