How can I remove old carpet and DIY my stairs?

Jkg33466980
by Jkg33466980

Can I DIY my stairs on my own n do on a low budget?

  8 answers
  • Zard Pocleeb Zard Pocleeb on Oct 06, 2018

    You can definitely redo your stairs on a budget. Removing carpet is a bit of work because it is stapled on. Once you remove it you can see if the wood is a nice wood you would want to use. In that case you can sand it clean, stain (if you want to change the color) and apply three coats of topcoat, sanding between coats.


    If you don’t like the wood you can replace the treads (the part you step on) and the risers (the part between the risers). You can buy treads and risers that are already machined with the bullnose. They come in various lengths...you just cut them to size. Most of what I’ve seen is oak, which is a beautiful wood. I typically don’t stain oak because I think it looks better naturally... I just apply a topcoat.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Oct 06, 2018

    Yes, you can! One thing that will affect the level of work involved is how the carpet is attached. Removing a carpet that is stapled, is the least messy method. Investing in a staple puller will help the process. If they are glued, you will have adhesive to remove. I recommend Goof Off or Goo Gone. The tools you will need besides a staple puller, would be a utility knife, a hammer, a paint scraper. You will want to fill in the holes with wood putty. Depending on the quality of wood underneath the carpet, you may be able to stain the wood or paint it. There are also stair covers you can buy, at Home Depot and Lowe's that are hard wood, if you find plywood or something else that you can't refinish under the carpet. My old steps, were pretty beaten up, so I painted them with floor paint.

  • Susan Carlton Susan Carlton on Oct 06, 2018

    It depends on whether you want to recarpet or refinish. If recarpeting, you could do it but you need to be strong to both cut the new carpet and use a stretcher for the installation. If you want to refinish that's a different story, depending on what you find underneath the old carpet. If refinishing wood stairs, you will need to prepare the surface then use a floor finishing product found in paint sections of hardware stores. You may need a power sanding tool to prep the surface.

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Oct 06, 2018

    If that Low Budget is between $15 and $25 per Step, yes.

    If lower than that, No.

  • William William on Oct 06, 2018

    What other Hometalkers did on a budget.


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=remove%20carpet%20from%20stairs

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Oct 06, 2018

    I removed carpet and was happy to discover nice wood underneath. Have you peeked under yet?! Just pull up one corner for a look. The removal is just a bit of work but most people can do it.

  • William William on Oct 06, 2018

    Patching, staining, and painting can be done under $50.