Loosen Carpet from Tack Strips

What happens in this clip

Locate an inconspicuous area, typically along the edge of a tread or riser, to begin. Insert the flat end of a pry bar or a specialized carpet tool beneath the carpet edge and gently pry upwards. Apply steady, even pressure to loosen the carpet from the tack strips without causing excessive damage to the subfloor or baseboards. Work your way along the edges of the stairs, gradually pulling back the carpet to reveal the underlying padding and tack strips.

Goal: Use a pry bar to carefully lift the carpet edges, starting from a less visible area, to detach it from the tack strips and expose the padding beneath.

What's used

Tools

• Pry Bar
• Utility Knife

About the full video

This video details the safe and efficient removal of existing carpet and padding from stairs, focusing on the use of a pry bar and other tools to prepare the surface for new installation. It covers detaching carpet from tack strips, removing old padding, and extracting remaining staples and tack strips to leave a clean subfloor. The video also showcases the subsequent installation of new padding and carpet, and other flooring types in different areas, demonstrating the full transformation of the flooring.

Step 2 of 9: Loosen Carpet Edges

Using a flathead screwdriver or a putty knife, gently pry the edge of the carpet up and over the tack strip at the very top of the staircase. Work across the width of the stair tread.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Remove Old Carpet from Stairs

1. Step 1: Secure the Area

   • 0:55–1:00 Prepare and Protect Adjacent Areas
   • 0:55–1:00 Seal Off Entryways
   • 0:26–0:34 Mask and Protect Surrounding Areas

2. Step 2: Loosen Carpet Edges

   • 0:58–1:33 Loosen Carpet from Tack Strips (this video)
   • 0:44–2:00 Remove Old Carpet

3. Step 3: Pull Carpet Up and Away

   • 0:21–0:50 Remove the Carpet
   • 0:58–3:40 Cut and Remove Main Carpet Sections
   • 0:44–2:00 Remove Old Carpet

4. Step 4: Remove Carpet Backing

   • 3:40–4:20 Remove Carpet Underpad
   • 0:02–0:09 Remove Carpet and Padding
   • 0:40–1:09 Remove Carpet Pad and Tack Strips

5. Step 5: Remove Padding

   • 2:46–3:43 Remove Carpet Padding
   • 1:00–1:25 Remove Carpet Pad
   • 1:33–1:40 Remove Carpet Padding

6. Step 6: Remove Tack Strips

   • 4:56–5:35 Remove Tack Strips
   • 0:31–0:55 Remove Tack Strips and Staples
   • 1:02–1:12 Remove Tack Strips

7. Step 7: Clean Stair Treads and Risers

   • 0:14–0:23 Initial Cleanup and Debris Removal
   • 0:23–0:26 Clean and Prepare Stairs for Finishing
   • 1:49–2:08 Clean Up Debris

8. Step 8: Inspect and Repair Stairs

   • 0:55–1:21 Apply Wood Filler to Blemishes
   • 7:20–7:30 Final Touches and Cleanup
   • 0:07–0:25 Inspect and Fill Imperfections

9. Step 9: Dispose of Materials

   • 1:07–1:12 Bag Carpet Sections
   • 7:37–8:39 Roll Padding with Tack Strips for Disposal
   • 3:46–3:50 Dispose of Carpet Debris