Ripping carpet off stairs

Question

I want to know how to rip up carpet on my stairs and replace it with wood flooring. I have inquired with Home Depot and Lowes and the quotes to do this seem expensive for something that I think I can do myself. Your thoughts?

Miriam Illions · Answer

@Stacy Davis recently posted about this project - she did it herself and has an awesome tutorial: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/staircases/from-carpet-to-wood-stairs-redo-cheater-version-3549194

Colleen · Answer

Before you rip out the whole carpet, check a small area and see what kind of material the steps and risers are made of. This will give you an insight of what lays ahead and what to budget for.

Carole · Answer

Having lived with both carpeted and bare wood stairs I would only say this. If you have small children in the home or elderly people: carpet, if it is fitted properly and has no loose bits is better for kids, the elderly and pets as it is obviously not a slipping hazard as wood might be. We took up our carpet and painted our wooden stairs and our cat slipped and slid everywhere trying to go up the stairs. My grandmother would not walk up the stairs as she did not feel safe (ours were also open tread which added to the hazard though). Just something to bear in mind if you do go ahead and remove the carpet. Having said that, if you want to remove it, I would have a go yourself if you are at all handy at DIY. I also agree with Colleen, test a small area by lifting up a bit of carpet to see what lies beneath!

Z · Answer

I agree with testing to see what lies beneath, as it can make a difference how much work you'll need to do. If you're going to paint the risers, you may not have to replace that part, but if the tread overhangs the riser, you'll have some cutting to do in place. Here's another tutorial that could be of great help to you too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYiiAnui_hI

Stacy · Answer

Rip it up! It is the best thing we did to our foreclosured rescue. I ripped the carpet up, pulled a million staples, and bought stair treads for around $10 each. Cut each stair tread to measure each stair.  Apply adhesive. Then screw them down. We used a small head screw. Pre-drill!! Countersink. Then fill holes with wood putty.

Jeanette S · Answer

The problem with taking up the carpet is that the steps are not in good shape. Since most builders know that they are going to carpet, they are not careful with nails, staples, paint splatters so the steps need a LOT of attention. However, I saw a post on HT of some 'covers' to put over steps all sanded and pretty. I don't know how to search on the site, but perhaps someone can help you. If you paint, use any color except white! It gets so dirty so fast! I like the idea of treads...I may take up my runner and go for that! Also keep in mind that a little molding here and there can hide a lot of gaps!

Kelly S · Answer

Go for it. You will not regret it. the We did it and everything is so much easier to clean. Photos aren't adding.

Kelly S · Answer

The pictures didn't come through. We replaced the osb treads with wood treads purchased from Lumber Liquidators. The treads were cut to fit each stair. Then we cut 1/4' cabinet grade plywood to face or go over the risers. 6 coats of water based floor urethane sealed everything. I put small washable tread rugs purchased from Solutions on the treads because the dog likes to run up and down them. The rugs have a rubber backing and stay put. Both purchase were made on line.

Kelly S · Answer

tried the pictures again. Treads and riser material were ash to match the rest of our hardwood flooring.

Tanya Lynn · Answer

We took the carpet off our stairs.It was ugly 70's carpet and we knew we had finished wood flooring underneath. To prevent slipping we bought individual carpet stair treads and used carpet tape to secure them.

Carmen · Answer

Go for it! we did - what was underneath was awful, so DH place a panel on top. Painted the actual step a dark color and the riser white. Still need to cauk or seal the edges - but I love it!

Kingdom By The Creek Design · Answer

From the picture it looks like you like color. I would remove the carpet, and paint them. If the tread material is rough, you could use a self leveling compound or epoxy then paint them. It will look amazing, be affordable, not to mention be a weekend project. Good luck with whatever you decide. Oh and if you decide to apply hardwood to them you will have 2 issues. First you won't be able to match your existing hardwood flooring color, so I would contrast them. Second your transition at the top of the stairs could be an issue and if not addressed properly could cause a trip hazard due to thickness inconsistencies.

Kathy LaGasse · Answer

We took our carpet off and had to get used to the slippery wood. Then we noticed that the dog was afraid going up and down! So back went new carpet for now. For the wood stairs, you can purchase a product called Sharks Skin to sprinkle on the stairs and then polyurthane over for some gripping on the stairs. I'm planning on doing that the next time we take the carpet off!!

Barbara · Answer

We had Lowes rip out the stairs carpet and replace with Prego. The installer painted the new risers, the steps have a rounded lip to prevent slips, the cost was under $1,000. I love them although I was concerned about slips, but all is fine.

Crystal Overbay · Answer

Keep in mind that nice shiny wood steps can be very very slick under stocking feet. I have had many bruised shins and buns slipping on our gleaming wood treds as a kid. Just a thought!

Louann · Answer

I am thinking about doing the same thing..just been to scared..but after reading some of the comments..it might just get done this year...I was thinking of painting...

Cyndi Moore Tippett · Answer

IF you tear out the carpet and padding, it will save you money because Home Depot and Lowes charges to do those jobs by the square foot.  We just had carpet put in our upstairs and we took out the old carpet and pad... it saved us about a $1. a square foot.  Also I didn't put carpet on my stairs, which saved us a bundle.  I painted the treads red and the back of the stairs the color of my trim.  I love them!!

Kim G · Answer

I agree with the others, go for it!  We built our house 15 years ago.  I ripped up my carpet and our stairs were in really bad shape, so we created a little 'hat' for each tread using oak plywood.  I painted the tread dark brown and then put white wainscote on the risers.  I then put 2 coats of high-shine polyeurethane to protect the steps.  We love the end result and we get a lot of compliments as they are the first thing you see when you walk in our front door.  Good Luck!

Jgi308468 · Answer

yup, we plan to do this as well. I like the idea of the sharkskin to prevent slipping. also we plan to stencil the risers with rustic pics of fish, bear, deer etc. the treads will be rustic too. good luck with your project. I can't wait to start mine!

SusZanne · Answer

Those of you who pulled  up your carpet off the steps, where there lots of staples and tack strip...or did you leave that for HD or Lowes....do they charge much to do that? Also the sharkskin sounds great..where do you buy it?

Shirley Kalinosky · Answer

I have an 80's home that my husband built and the old carpet has holes in it in places. It's the only thing in the house that was left from his daughter pulling out 'cat-pissed-on' carpet. I would love to redo the stairs underneath with the white risers and stain the tops. I don't know what I will find when I finally pull the carpet, but thanks for the inspirations!

Moxie · Answer

I took the carpet off mine, painted them and stenciled riser boards for them...just love them (carpet on stairs is always hard to keep clean) you certainly can do it!! Be prepared to remove lots of staples...work with store or cabinet maker for custom treads so you don't have to custom fit everything if you can afford to or use wood nosing pieces and infill with the wood flooring.

Rex Jones · Answer

Just a suggestion: maybe regular breathing cover for nose and mouth, maybe eyes. Old carpet can have various types of, well...organisms in the dust that rises. I had some sinus trouble after pulling up just one step. I'm planning on using the ideas posted here, because my stairs need it done !

Eroque022810 · Answer

Yes cover your face and start at top so dust falls on carpet. Hopefully I will tackle this when husband goes away for a few days. I have Sen on this home talk site where people just painted them and some where they used treads that they ordered. I like color so I will remove staples as I go so I can walk on the ones without carpet. I don't expect it to be easy but with 5 people in a house even though we use slippers they get lint from socks or track in stuff we have wood floors and the dust is unbearable I'm a slave to my Libbey microfiber which is hand washable because you flip it and it becomes a mop. Has largerlength then a swifter so cuts down on work. And must never use soap on it or you ruin it. Anyway I get off track so back to question, go for it. If you want to see what's waiting for you just do one step at bottom to see if you wish to continue with project. I don't think paint will cause great slipper but I've not done this. If it was stained where you need to seal then yes very slippery just run hand over a table. Once you fill holes with wood filler and that's after you have used shop vac or your vacuum to get every thing clean don't use water and soap just vacuum in every corner. And do every other step so you can allow it to dry before you add second coat if needed. The next day it should be dry but check because if it's humid it takes longer if OK to walk on then do other steps. Do risers last so you can use blue tape to not get paint on tread. Look for them here on this site because their were many. Good luck and I'm sure it will be a great experience for you to accomplish something that you have wanted to do.

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