How To Remove Carpet From Stairs - Ace Hardware

Moments in this video

1. 0:40–1:09 Remove Carpet Pad and Tack Strips From How to Remove Old Carpet from Stairs, Step 4: Remove Carpet Backing

   Once the main carpet layer is removed, you will find the carpet pad underneath. The pad is typically stapled or glued down. It can usually be pulled up in a similar fashion to the carpet. Be cautious as you pull the pad, as it often has sharp tack strips along the edges of the treads and risers. Use a pry bar or a similar tool to carefully lift these tack strips. They are very sharp, so handle them with extreme care to avoid injury. Work from top to bottom, removing all pad pieces and tack strips.

2. 1:19–1:49 Remove Staples and Protruding Nails From How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs, Step 2: Remove Staples and Nails

   After removing the pad and tack strips, there will likely be numerous staples left embedded in the wooden stairs. To find them, use a scraper or a dustpan to sweep across the surface of the steps; you'll hear or feel when you hit a staple. Use needle-nose pliers or a nail puller to grip and extract each staple. Some staples may be too flush or stubborn, so you might need to use a pry bar or a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them up from underneath before pulling them out. As you clean, you may also find a nail or two sticking up from the subfloor; use a hammer to pound these firmly back into the wood until they are flush or slightly countersunk.

3. 1:49–2:08 Clean Up Debris From How to Remove Old Carpet from Stairs, Step 7: Clean Stair Treads and Risers

   After all the carpet, pad, tack strips, staples, and nails have been removed, there will be a significant amount of dirt, dust, and small debris left on the stairs. Using a hand brush and a dustpan, sweep up as much loose material as possible, working from the top step down to the bottom. Collect the debris into a bucket or trash bag for disposal. For a more thorough cleaning, especially to capture fine dust, use a wet/dry shop vacuum. Ensure the stairs are as clean as possible, as this clean base is crucial for any new flooring installation.

Guides that use this video

• How to Remove Old Carpet from Stairs
• How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs