Remove Tack Strips

What happens in this clip

Before removing the tack strips, put on ear protection in addition to your dust mask and safety goggles, as using a hammer can be noisy. Use a flat prybar and a hammer to carefully remove all of the tack strips. If needed, place a 3-inch putty knife under the prybar to protect the stair treads and risers from damage while prying. Once removed, carefully collect the tack strip pieces and place them into a contractor-grade bag. Be extremely cautious as the tacks are very sharp.

Goal: Remove all tack strips safely

What's used

Tools

• 3-inch putty knife
• Stiff metal spatula
• Contractor-grade trash bag Husky
• Ear protection
• Flat prybar
• Crowbar
• Hammer Husky
• Leather gloves

About the full video

This DIY project provides step-by-step instructions on how to safely and efficiently remove old carpet and padding from stairs. It covers the removal of carpet, carpet padding, tack strips, and remaining fasteners, followed by cleaning and patching the stair surfaces to prepare them for a new finish.

Step 6 of 9: Remove Tack Strips

Using a pry bar or pliers, grip each tack strip and pull it upwards, removing the nails from the wood. Work across each stair tread and riser. Be cautious of the sharp pins on the strips.

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
   • 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 (this video)

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