How to Remove Carpet on the Stairs to Replace With Wood
- 1). Find the top seam of the carpet at the top of the stairs. Remove any nails or tacks holding it in place so that you have at least six inches of carpet on which to hold. Pull the carpet down the stairs, exposing tacks or nails that need to be pulled as you go.
- 2). Roll the carpet as you lift it from the stairs, letting the weight of the carpet work with you as you take it down the stairs. Leave the backing and tile strips exposed. Carefully hold the roll so nails or tacks don't scrape your hands or arms. Throw out the carpet.
- 3). Use a claw hammer to lift out the tack strips, being careful not to puncture your skin with the sharp points. Collect the tacks in a box to throw out.
- 4). Pull up any backing using a putty knife to scrape off adhesive that might have been used. Gather it as you go and stuff it into a trash bag to keep the extra dust and dirt from getting thrown around.
- 5). Check each step for nails, staples or tacks left behind. Carefully smooth your hand across the surface of the steps to feel for any hard objects. Pry any objects from the steps, being careful not to gouge the wood.
- 6). Vacuum the stairs to suck up all the fine dust left behind.
- 7). Wash the bare stairs with a damp soapy rag, frequently rinsing it in a bucket of warm soapy water. Start at the top of the stairs and work your way down.
