Apply Flooring Adhesive

What happens in this clip

Using a notched trowel, a flooring adhesive, which appears yellow-ish in color, is applied generously and evenly to the surface of each concrete stair tread and riser. The notches in the trowel help to create ridges in the adhesive, ensuring good coverage and adhesion for the subsequent underlayment.

Goal: Create a sticky base for the underlayment

What's used

Tools

• Notched Trowel
• Roller for adhesive

Materials

• Flooring Adhesive
• Carpet adhesive

About the full video

This project details the step-by-step process of installing carpet on a set of stairs. It begins by preparing the concrete stairs with tack strips and applying flooring adhesive for underlayment. The carpet is then precisely measured and cut, followed by securing it to the stairs using a staple gun and a specialized stair tool to ensure a tight, professional finish.

Step 4 of 6: Apply Adhesive

Choose a heavy-duty adhesive specifically designed for flooring or carpet installation and for use on concrete. Apply a generous, even layer of adhesive to the back of each cut carpet tread, ensuring full coverage, especially around the edges. Alternatively, apply the adhesive directly to the concrete stair tread, following the adhesive manufacturer's recommendations for coverage and application method (e.g., using a notched trowel for even spread).

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Install Carpet Treads on Concrete Basement Stairs

1. Step 1: Clean Concrete Stairs

   • 1:19–2:05 Cleaning the Concrete Surface
   • 1:13–1:50 Apply Cleaner to Stairs
   • 0:00–0:01 Prepare Concrete Stairs

2. Step 2: Measure and Mark Treads

   • 0:12–0:57 Measure and Cut Carpet Tread
   • 0:57–1:16 Measure Treads and Mark Laminate
   • 7:20–9:07 Measure and Cut Carpet

3. Step 3: Cut Carpet Treads

   • 2:09–3:19 Measure and Cut Carpet Pieces
   • 3:07–3:56 Plan and Cut Carpet Pieces
   • 0:37–0:59 Measure and Cut Carpet

4. Step 4: Apply Adhesive

   • 0:05–0:06 Apply Adhesive to Treads
   • 0:09–0:25 Apply Flooring Adhesive (this video)
   • 0:34–0:46 Apply Carpet Adhesive to Stairs

5. Step 5: Install Carpet Treads

   • 0:04–0:06 Install Carpet Treads
   • 0:59–2:07 Install First Stair Tread
   • 3:25–4:32 Secure Treads to Stairs

6. Step 6: Allow Adhesive to Cure

   • 3:06–3:19 Project Completion
   • 3:44–4:26 Final Curing and Caulking
   • 0:31–0:38 Inspect and Finish Installation