On my list of things to do before I can list my home on the MLS (or stay in it and love it that much more) is to re-finish the main staircase. First step — remove the nasty carpet!
I knew that the bulk of this project had to be done in one day because we have to be able to use the stairs. So I figured if I started it, hubby would help me finish when he got home. I had the carpet off the top 3 stairs when he got home from a birthday party with my son.
Here are some before shots.
.JPG "Getting rid of gross old carpet from stairs")
.JPG "DIY removing old carpet from stairs")
I started at the top, which was smart, so I always had a clean surface to stand on. Plus you want to be “under” the area you are working on to make it easier to pull the carpet off. Here is the carpet coming off the first step.
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: How to remove carpet from staircase")
That white paint on the right side is from where the builder sprayed the stair skirt white and over-spray got on the steps. I think it will come right off with a little sanding. I hope to stain the stair treads (the part your foot goes on) and probably paint the risers white. Of course I’ll probably change my mind a dozen times!
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: How to remove carpet from staircase")
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: How to remove carpet from staircase")
This is what it looked like (above) when my husband got home. I was glad to see him because my old lady arthritic hands were hurting already. We powered away for the next 2 hours. Hubby used some muscle…
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: Removing carpet from stairs")
This kids entertained themselves nearby…
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: DIY kids on staircase")
I tore my hands up on all those damn staples. I call this shot, “Not so SMART GIRL!” Wear gloves people!!
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: cutting myself on carpet staples")
We took a break at this point (below) to take a family trip to Lowe’s. My 11 year old, Zoe, and I walked and hubby drove. **Side note: I had surgery on my right foot in November and I was told no walking for fitness for at least 12 weeks. So today was officially my first “walk for fitness.” Zoe had fun.**
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: How to remove carpet from staircase")
But don’t worry, the rest of that carpet came off as soon as we got home. Here’s Smart Jr helping to take out staples…
.JPG "Smart Girls DIY: How to remove carpet from staircase")
Here are Smart Jr’s pictures of me ripping off the second to last stair.
+-+logo.jpg "Smart Girls DIY: removing carpet from stairs")
+-+logo.jpg "Smart Girls DIY: removing carpet from stairs")
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P.S. Be sure to check out the other staircase posts:
- Bizarre Staircase Platform Fix – Part 1
- Bizarre Staircase Platform Fix – Part 2
- Filling Holes, Sanding + Stripping
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I’m contemplating this project. I’m scared to see whats under the carpet. The wood underneath yours was ideal compared to other pictures I’ve seen online. I’m thinking I should do this BEFORE getting walls painted as I noticed it got a bit dusty, Kudos to you for taking on this project!
Try pulling the carpet up in the corner of the top step. I did this long before I ripped it all off, so I could see what I was dealing with. Yeah, if you’re going to paint the walls anyway you might as well wait. My main tip would be not to go crazy filling in the holes. That ended up being a big headache because the stain didn’t take as well. If I were doing it again I’d also paint the riser first. It’s easier to get stain off paint than paint off stain. Good luck!
Taking on this projuct this morning. Thank you for the DIY picutres. I am excited to get started. I hope my my wood underneath is as nice as yours was.
How did it go Judy? Good luck to you!
OMG I know this is years after your posts but I can finally convinced DH that we need to replace our carpet with hardwood and put B&B in the hallway. I cannot believe that someone else had the same fugly carpet as us. ( I married a man who already had a home with ‘good bones’ but 30 year old blue carpet, black and gold linoleum and pineapple pattern wallpaper in two bathrooms, and NO window coverings ” we live in the country, who is gonna see?”