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Removing carpet from stairs?

9 years ago

This is one of my Home Fixer Upper goals so I can put my current home on the market.

I have carpeting on the stairs from the basement up into my house proper. The stairs themselves are wood. My goal is to remove the carpet, sand the stairs down and paint the stairs a neutral grey color (to match the posts holding up the house...). Unfortunately, the carpet was glued down very thoroughly, and I can't figure out the best means of getting it up.

I want to do this as a DIY project to save money. How do you recommend I get the carpet up?

Keeping the carpet there is not acceptable -- there are a couple holes in it from over 20+ years of usage (maybe more), and the cats have definitely left their imprint.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (8)

toolbelt68
9 years ago
Go to ehow.com and search on "Natural Solution for Carpet Glue Removal"
or
http://www.ehow.com/way_5679442_natural-solution-carpet-glue-removal.html

You should also see a few more ideas on how to remove the carpet/glue. Hope that helps.
artemis_ma
Original Author
9 years ago
I appreciate this for getting the carpet glue up, and I'm bookmarking it. But first off -- How to get the carpet itself up and out to begin with?
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toolbelt68
9 years ago
Having never done that I would start by using a putty knife and hammer. Just start at the edge of the carpet and work the knife between the carpet and the step. If the carpet was not glued to the vertical part of the steps then cut it just where it goes over the lip. That should give you a good purchase of carpet for pulling it loose.
I would be leery of using flammable liquids on the steps but that would be my next choice. Charcoal lighter fluid? Paint remover? I would let it soak through (one step at a time) a small spot to see if it worked and go from there.
artemis_ma
Original Author
9 years ago
Toolbelt, thanks. I'll give this a shot next (not this) weekend. First, of course, the non-flammable suggestions!

If I go to the next... I am roughly assuming that paint remover is somewhat less flammable than charcoal lighter fluid?
glennsfc
9 years ago
Elbow grease with a sharp razor scraper to slice away foam that may remain on the steps after you pull up the carpet. I would suggest avoiding the use of solvents.
artemis_ma
Original Author
9 years ago
I was thinking about those solvents.... out in the open air charcoal lighter fluid is pretty noxious. In an enclosed space -- I don't think I'd be able to tolerate it.

PS, Toolbox, the carpet was glued to all parts of the steps, horizontal and vertical. One of the few things someone did efficiently around here.
toolbelt68
9 years ago
Sounds like the sharp razor scraper is going to be required! Replacing the stairs could be an option with all of the work required to remove the carpet.
If it's glued down all over I would refrain from using solvents. That is going to end up with too much in the air.
I wonder if an electrical planer would work???? Most likely it would grab the carpet and run up a wall.
tinacamelo
9 years ago
Hi, we just removed carpet from our hardwood stairs and had them sanded and refinished professionally. Unfortunately, somebody at some point (the carpet installer?) made cuts on the sides of each thread that even after sanding, go very deep into the wood and cause the stain to be absorbed very differently. Even after refinishing, the stairs look like they have deep, dark scratches on the sides. The actual removal of the carpet and the tack was very fast but the sanding took two guys almost a full day (this is for 8 threads and risers, and it was not glued). So, my sincere recommendation would be to try whatever method(s) you chose, from beginning to end in one or two steps, and judge for yourself if the result is worth your effort. Looking into inexpensive threads may be a sanity preserving option. All the best!

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