Removing carpet on a staircase can be a tricky job. Especially when the carpet is glued down considerably. It is important to work carefully to prevent damage to the stairs and to get the stairs back in good condition. We are specialists in the removal of floors and can advise you or even completely relieve you of this task. Take a look below at our supplies and our step-by-step plan for removing carpet from stairs.
Supplies
- Work gloves
- Mouthpiece
- Stanly Knives
- Putty knife
- Pliers (for any staples)
- Optional: Floor glue stripper (for stubborn glue residues)
Step-by-step carpet removal from stairs
Step 1: Determine what the carpet is attached to
Start at one of the edges and cut it loose with the stanley knife. After this, carefully pull off a piece of carpet and see what the carpet is attached to. The carpet may be glued down, nailed down or a combination of both. A carpet that is nailed down is generally easier to remove. A glued-down carpet is often a bit more work, but this also depends on how much and what type of glue was used.
Step 2: Remove the carpet
Carefully remove the carpet from the stairs. You do this by first cutting all the sides well loose with the Stanley knife. Make sure you cut well and really get through the carpet, but also not too deep that you damage the stairs. After this you can slowly pull the carpet loose. It is best to pull it off in large pieces and work from the corners. Do this slowly otherwise you may damage the stairs! If this doesn’t work because the carpet is glued too well, for example, try cutting thinner strips and pulling them off one by one. This step often requires some patience, so really take your time with this and don’t rush.
Step 3: Remove glue residue and staples
When you have gotten the carpet off the stairs you will probably still see remnants of glue, staples or nails on the stairs. Use pliers to remove the staples and nails. For the glue residue, you can use a putty knife. With this, try to scratch away the residue. Is this not working? For very stubborn glue, you can use a special floor glue remover. Be sure to wear a mask and open the windows.
Step 4: Aftertreatment and cleaning
Clean the stairs thoroughly. It is also a good idea to give the stairs a good sanding. This way, the stairs will be ready for any new finish.
Tips and tricks
- Work from top to bottom, which is safer and easier
- Use an adhesive remover for stubborn adhesive residues
- Schedule enough time for this job, as it may take some time
- Protect the stairs afterwards, that way you won’t damage them
Busy removing flooring and carpeting? Then perhaps our following instructions will come in handy:
- Hoe verwijder je vloerbedekking? Volg deze 3 stappen .
- Remove tile floor without damaging underfloor heating – Steps and tips
- Step-by-step plan for removing a parquet floor
Need help?
Prefer professional help with carpet removal or other type of flooring? We are ready to help you! We are specialists in flooring removal, house clearances, moving,rental-ready/sale-ready homes and much more! Contact us for a free quote.
