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How to remove carpet from stairs

February 7, 2023DIY Woodworking

This tutorial will walk you through the tools and the process you need for how to remove carpet from stairs.

The first step of this staircase makeover was to get all of the carpet off of these stairs. I actually went in to this process not knowing exactly what my plan was going to be, but I knew that I wanted the carpet gone and that I wanted a DIY wooden looking finish at the end. So, how to remove carpet from stairs…it’s easier than you think!

How to remove carpet from stairs

Carpet removal from stairs can seem like a daunting task. There were a couple of things that I didn’t know to expect, such as how removal around the balusters would be and what all of the trim areas would look like once the carpet was removed.

The removal around the balusters was incredibly easy, that wasn’t an issue at all. The trim areas were the biggest challenge of this project but caulk and wood trim (and flexible vinyl trim) are almost always able to fix those areas and in this case it worked out just fine.

Related Post: DIY Mini Fridge Cabinet: Corner Coffee and Wine Bar

What’s under carpet on stairs?

Before carpet removal it’s important to know what kind of flooring is under the carpet. It’s pretty easy to take a peek under carpet on the stairs by pulling on a corner at the riser with a pair of pliers. Take a look at what kind of flooring is under the carpet and then just push the carpet back into place.

In my case, there was a pine staircase underneath the carpet which had some pros and cons.

The pros of having a pine staircase was that the treads were risers with the bullnose overhang and the wood was in pretty good shape. A pine staircase like this is a great candidate for a painted staircase. However, I wanted the look of a wood stain for this staircase which is difficult with pine.

Pine wood is soft and porous making it a less than ideal wood for a staircase. A more durable choice would be oak wood treads but pine is manageable, and you’ll see in the end how I was able to make this pine staircase look like stained wood.

What you need to remove carpet from stairs

A few tools and safety measures will make this an easier process:

  • needle nose pliers
  • crowbar/pry bar
  • staple remover tool
  • gloves
  • face mask
  • safety goggles
  • utility blade

*A face mask, safety goggles and gloves are highly recommended with this project.

Pull the carpet from the stairs

makeitwithkate

🪚 Transforming builder grade into modern colonial
🔨 DIY builds and decor
🪑 Furniture flips

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Sometimes, you just have to go for it. 🔨 🪚🪛
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Begin at the top of the staircase and use pliers to start pulling the carpet at the top of the riser. The carpet should begin to come off quite easily. Continue pulling and ripping the carpet off using a utility knife or razor blade on any parts that get stuck.

Once all of the carpet is removed, the grunt work begins. On each tread under the carpet will be a piece of carpet foam stapled onto the tread. Using gloves, peel the carpet foam off of the treads.

After the foam is removed there will be a carpet tack strip and the top of each tread. The easy way to remove this is by using a pry bar and pulling these off.

Once the carpet and the foam is removed, there will be staples galore to remove. In my opinion, this is the absolute worst part of this entire project, but, after a little bit of grunt work the carpet will be gone and the stairs will be ready for refinishing.

Prepare the staircase for refinishing

Now that the staircase is completely bare, it’s time to get to the next step of this staircase makeover, painting and staining pine wood stairs!

how to remove carpet from stairs. staircase with carpet

Read Next:

Painting and Staining Pine Stair Treads

Staining pine stair treads can be tricky, this paint + stain combo will show you how you can make pine stairs beautiful on a budget.

Related Posts:

  • Staircase Makeover: Carpet to Wood Stairs
    Staircase Makeover: Carpet to Wood Stairs
Previous Post: « How to Build a Refrigerator Surround Cabinet
Next Post: DIY Coffee Bar Ideas for Home Kitchens »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Painting and Staining Pine Stair Treads - Make it with Kate says:
    February 9, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    […] Read First: How to Remove Carpet from Stairs […]

    Reply
  2. DIY Stair Risers on a Budget - Make it with Kate says:
    February 10, 2023 at 4:53 pm

    […] stair risers is the third major step of this staircase makeover. I have removed the carpet from the stairs, stained the stair treads and am now making new risers to attach to the current pine staircase. […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Stair Runner with Corner Turn - Make it with Kate says:
    February 21, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    […] staircase has a right turn with a small landing in the middle of it. I knew that once I had removed the carpet from these stairs and stained the pine treads I would want a runner rug down the middle of the […]

    Reply

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Find inspiration for DIY home projects and crafts on a budget! You can usually find me with either a hot glue gun or a can of spray paint in hand 🙂

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makeitwithkate

🪚 Transforming builder grade into modern colonial
🔨 DIY builds and decor
🪑 Furniture flips

Make it with Kate | DIY Blog
These motorized roller shades from @smartwingshome These motorized roller shades from @smartwingshome are the final missing piece to this living room makeover! I just love how easy they are to use with the remote or as part of my home automation. The color is the perfect neutral and the linen provides great light-filtering. These are the SmartWings Motorized Light Filtering Roller Shades 70% Blackout Linen, color Caramel.
🌟🌟 L I V I N G  R O O M  R E V E A L 🌟🌟 what’s new? Wall treatment, door and window trim, stained beams, updated doors, lighting and paint! DIY is too much fun 🥰 do you have a favorite part? ➡️➡️ swipe to see some progress/before pics! #diyhome #livingroomdecor #moderntraditional #diydecor
🌟The living room I bought versus the one I crea 🌟The living room I bought versus the one I created. 🌟 The number one thing I’ve learned in DIY, is to follow and know the trends, but ultimately find your own style and create what you love, and what you are your family are comfortable in. #diy #diyhome #livingroom #moderntraditional
Here are 5 tips for styling your shelves! 👇

1️⃣ Balance: vary shapes, sizes, and height to create visual interest

2️⃣ Color Coordination: You can group similar colors together or use gradients of a color palette. An easy way to do this is to stick with either warm or cool tones.

3️⃣ Layering: Place larger items at the back and smaller items in front to create depth and visual intrigue, or small items on top of large. 

4️⃣ Negative Space: Leave some empty space to allow the eye to rest and to highlight the items you’ve chosen to display.

5️⃣ Personal Touches: Incorporate items personal to you such as photos, artwork, or keepsakes to make the shelves feel more personal and reflective of your style and interests.
I’m loving how fresh this living room feels now! I’m loving how fresh this living room feels now! #diyhome #moderntraditional #livingroom #diydesign
These doors are DONE! This was a labor of love but These doors are DONE! This was a labor of love but I am happy with how they turned out! The reeded film over the plexiglass keeps the playroom mess out of sight, but the room feels a bit more open this way. More details in highlights! #diyhome I used @retiqueliquidwood to cover the chalk paint without any sanding!
Taking these doors from painted and scratched to w Taking these doors from painted and scratched to wood-grained French doors with @retiqueliquidwood - they are almost done, stay tuned for the end result! I think they will be good! #diydoors
I’m making progress in this living room! Next st I’m making progress in this living room! Next step is to take these beat up, painted doors and make them look like new French doors! I cut large holes in the middle of them and am going to make a plexiglass insert. Here’s hoping!
Let’s take these beams from painted black to a b Let’s take these beams from painted black to a barn wood look. Check out this fun and easy process! What do you think?!
Picture frame moulding in the living room phase 1! Picture frame moulding in the living room phase 1! I updated the door and window trim to a craftsman style, the added double box moulding to the walls, and board and batten to the breakfast bar. Stay tuned to watch this get finished! It’s gonna be good!
I’m switching out the trim work in my living roo I’m switching out the trim work in my living room to add Craftsman moulding to the doorway and window! This is part of a living room refresh, stay tuned for box moulding and updated doors and beams next! #craftsmantrim #craftsmanmoulding #doortrim #diy #doityourself
Sometimes, you just have to go for it. 🔨 🪚🪛
Load More... Follow on Instagram
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