Hi all -

I need to replace the carpet on my stairs... I've done a lot of
remodeling (walls, electrical, plumbing, hard wood) but never
stairs... and was hoping to get nudged in the right direction.

It seems like it's just a matter of cutting and stapling, but I'm sure
there are some tricks/hints that would help me out

So... are there?

I'd like to wrap the stairs and have the bull-nosed effect rather than
the waterfall (I think that's what someone called) it look.

So, any advice? Such as whether the carpet should be one long piece,
or cut individually per tread/riser... what type of staples? how far
apart?, etc.

Thanks!

-philip

Philip Hallstrom said:

I need to replace the carpet on my stairs... I've done a lot of
remodeling (walls, electrical, plumbing, hard wood) but never
stairs... and was hoping to get nudged in the right direction.

It seems like it's just a matter of cutting and stapling, but I'm sure
there are some tricks/hints that would help me out

So... are there?

I'd like to wrap the stairs and have the bull-nosed effect rather than
the waterfall (I think that's what someone called) it look.

So, any advice? Such as whether the carpet should be one long piece,
or cut individually per tread/riser... what type of staples? how far
apart?, etc.

I did one of the stairs in my house after watching a pro install the carpet on
another. We had the relatively new carpet pulled out of the living room and
refinished the hardwood floor. Most of this carpet was in good condition and
was the same as the more worn carpet on the 1/2 flight down to the family
room. (I hope I remember what I did -- I still have a roll of carpet and padding
saved to repeat it if the carpet on the stairs starts showing too much wear.)

The stair treads actually have carpet tack strips on the top rear. I used long
pieces -- long enough to do more than one riser/tread. Start new pieces at the
bottom of a riser. Padding only at the top of the treads, not running all the way
over the front.

Started at the bottom. Stapled the carpet up the first rise with a bunch
of staples at the bottom, a few at the top and a bunch under the bull-nose.
(Put these as far back into the 'corner' of the overhang as you can. )
Then brought the carpet up and knee-kicked it onto the tack strip. Used a
wedge thing to push down behind the tack-strip and repeated. A few staples
go in at the side of each tread and riser. Make sure the tip of the stapler is
worked down into the pile otherwise the staples will show (crushed pile)

--
Pat K.

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)