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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

Sometimes, you just have to go for it. 🔨 🪚🪛
The number one question I got asked about this pro
Before >>>> After! Are you team carpet or team woo Before >>>> After! Are you team carpet or team wood?? This staircase makeover took a few days but it was quite the budget friendly makeover and I’m happy with the outcome! #diyhomedecor #diyprojects #staircasedesign #staircasemakeover
So tell me…are you team carpet or wood stairs?? So tell me…are you team carpet or wood stairs?? #staircasedesign #staircaserenovation #woodstairs
Adding this runner to the staircase really gave it Adding this runner to the staircase really gave it a nice finishing touch. See how I tackled the right turn in the staircase by cutting and joining the two runners. Find this runner linked in my @liketoknow.it
Here’s what the middle of this #staircasemakeove Here’s what the middle of this #staircasemakeover looks like! The treads are stained and we are making some DIY risers to give it a clean look. Lastly, they need trim and some final touches and they’ll be done! #staircasedesign #diyhomedecor #diyprojects
I really wanted to try to stain these pine treads I really wanted to try to stain these pine treads before just painting them black but my stain just wasn’t coming out right. I tried an idea and ran with it and I’m loving the look of this paint/gel stain combo! This is a progress reel…so let’s see if this plan sticks! Stay tuned :) #staircasedesign #gelstainstairs
I’ve been wanting to rip this carpet up for a wh I’ve been wanting to rip this carpet up for a while now….today is the day I decided I can’t wait any longer. I have more involved plans for this staircase so for now I’ll be doing a budget-friendly update here! Stay tuned to see how it turns out 🙃 #staircasedesign #diyhomedecor #diyprojects #staircaserenovation
I love the look of garland on a mirror, I think it I love the look of garland on a mirror, I think it adds a nice touch to my holiday decor! These @command hooks and clips are perfect for making this a nice easy project that packs a punch! #holidaydecor #christmasdecor #diyhomedecor
I thought I would try something new on my front po I thought I would try something new on my front porch this year because there are just too many holidays to decorate for in a row here. I got this prelit garland from #zulily to use as a base for my porch decor for these next few holidays. I kinda like how it turned out! Plus, I can light it up at night :) #ad #frontporchdecor #falloween #holidaydecor
The board and batten entryway is done! Well…stil The board and batten entryway is done! Well…still the last 5% to do but that’s how my projects go ;) What do you think about the color?? It’s Pashmina by @benjaminmoore #diyhomedecor #boardandbatten #diyblogger
This board and batten entryway is almost done! Che This board and batten entryway is almost done! Check out some tips and tool for paint prep, and painting! #boardandbatten #moderntraditional #modernfarmhouse
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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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Welcome!

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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Recent Posts

  • DIY Stair Runner with Corner Turn
  • DIY Stair Risers on a Budget
  • Painting and Staining Pine Stair Treads
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  • How to remove carpet from stairs

makeitwithkate

Sometimes, you just have to go for it. 🔨 🪚🪛
The number one question I got asked about this pro The number one question I got asked about this project was where this runner was from so I thought it deserved it’s own post: ✔️RUNNER DETAILS
.
.

❇️ it’s from Amazon…and it’s washable 🤯 you can find the link in my bio > shop my pictures OR by checking out my ‘stair runner’ highlight for the direct link
❇️ I bought two 2x12 runners and then cut the ends at a 45° angle and joined the seams with carpet joining tape for the turn (step by step in ‘stair runner’ highlight)
❇️ I have a rug pad cut into strips and attached with carpet tape to each tread under the runner, and the runner is attached with a staple gun- all of these also linked in my @liketoknow.it which can be found in my bio under shop my pictures
.
.
.
Any other questions I can answer??
Before >>>> After! Are you team carpet or team woo Before >>>> After! Are you team carpet or team wood?? This staircase makeover took a few days but it was quite the budget friendly makeover and I’m happy with the outcome! #diyhomedecor #diyprojects #staircasedesign #staircasemakeover
So tell me…are you team carpet or wood stairs?? So tell me…are you team carpet or wood stairs?? #staircasedesign #staircaserenovation #woodstairs
Adding this runner to the staircase really gave it Adding this runner to the staircase really gave it a nice finishing touch. See how I tackled the right turn in the staircase by cutting and joining the two runners. Find this runner linked in my @liketoknow.it
Here’s what the middle of this #staircasemakeove Here’s what the middle of this #staircasemakeover looks like! The treads are stained and we are making some DIY risers to give it a clean look. Lastly, they need trim and some final touches and they’ll be done! #staircasedesign #diyhomedecor #diyprojects
I really wanted to try to stain these pine treads I really wanted to try to stain these pine treads before just painting them black but my stain just wasn’t coming out right. I tried an idea and ran with it and I’m loving the look of this paint/gel stain combo! This is a progress reel…so let’s see if this plan sticks! Stay tuned :) #staircasedesign #gelstainstairs
I’ve been wanting to rip this carpet up for a wh I’ve been wanting to rip this carpet up for a while now….today is the day I decided I can’t wait any longer. I have more involved plans for this staircase so for now I’ll be doing a budget-friendly update here! Stay tuned to see how it turns out 🙃 #staircasedesign #diyhomedecor #diyprojects #staircaserenovation
I love the look of garland on a mirror, I think it I love the look of garland on a mirror, I think it adds a nice touch to my holiday decor! These @command hooks and clips are perfect for making this a nice easy project that packs a punch! #holidaydecor #christmasdecor #diyhomedecor
I thought I would try something new on my front po I thought I would try something new on my front porch this year because there are just too many holidays to decorate for in a row here. I got this prelit garland from #zulily to use as a base for my porch decor for these next few holidays. I kinda like how it turned out! Plus, I can light it up at night :) #ad #frontporchdecor #falloween #holidaydecor
The board and batten entryway is done! Well…stil The board and batten entryway is done! Well…still the last 5% to do but that’s how my projects go ;) What do you think about the color?? It’s Pashmina by @benjaminmoore #diyhomedecor #boardandbatten #diyblogger
This board and batten entryway is almost done! Che This board and batten entryway is almost done! Check out some tips and tool for paint prep, and painting! #boardandbatten #moderntraditional #modernfarmhouse
Load More... Follow on Instagram
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