The Waterfall Method of Laying Carpet on Stairs
When the view from the bottom of the stairs no longer gives you pleasure, maybe it is time for new carpet. The thought of carpeting all those steps may feel intimidating but it is something a handy DIY person can accomplish with professional results. Stair runners are available at home centers, or you can purchase carpet and trim it to fit. The associate at the home center will calculate the yardage required for your stairs. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Carpet
- Tape measure
- Tack strip
- Hammer
- Stapler
- Framing square
- Carpet knife or utility knife
- Glue
- Carpet kicker
- Carpet tool
- Rubber mallet
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the stair treads; mark the center of each. Cut tack strip 2 inches narrower than the measurement.
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2
Place a scrap piece of the tack strip snug against the riser as a spacer. Push the cut piece of tack strip tightly against the scrap and nail in place. Face the pins in the tack strip toward the riser.
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3
Cut carpet padding to the width measurement of the tack strip and 3 inches longer than the front-to-back measurement of the stair tread. Butt the padding up against the front edge of the tack strip and staple in place. Space the staples 3 inches apart. Pull the padding snug and wrap around the stair tread nosing. Staple the padding underneath the stair nosing and trim off any excess.
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4
Check the end of the carpet for square with a framing square. If it is not square, mark a line on the back of the carpet and cut with a carpet knife of sharp utility knife. Apply glue to the cut edges to prevent fraying and allow drying.
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5
Begin at the bottom of the staircase and unroll the carpet up the stairs two or three steps. Push the beginning edge of the carpet against the floor at the bottom of the first riser. Staple the carpet to the bottom edge of the riser close to the floor. Place staples 3 inches apart. Push the stapler firmly into the pile of the carpet before stapling.
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Push the carpet toward the tack strip smoothing as you go. Set the carpet knee kicker on the carpet 2 inches from the tack strip. Hold the kicker firmly in place and bump the kicker with your knee to engage the carpet onto the tack strip. If the carpet does not lay smooth, lift it straight up off the pins of the tack strip and repeat with the kicker.
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7
Set the carpet tool on the carpet between the tack strip and the riser. Tap the tool with a rubber mallet to wedge the carpet between the tack strip and the riser.
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8
Staple the edges of the carpet to the riser 2 inches above the stair tread.
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9
When you reach the top of the last riser, cut the carpet even with the underside of the riser or stair molding. Apply glue to the cut edge and staple to the top edge of the riser, every 3 inches.
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Tips & Warnings
Save money by renting the carpet tools instead of buying them.
