How do I Put Carpet on Thick Wood on Back Stairs?

Cut the carpet to fit the staircase. Measure the width of the staircase, and cut a strip to that width. Measure the width of the stair and the length of the rise and add those measurements together to calculate the length of carpeting you'll need to cut. Add the length of the upstairs landing to the final length before you cut it. If you purchased a stair runner, skip this step.

Cut tackless strips to lengths a couple inches shorter than the width of the carpet you plan to lay using tin snips. Nail one down at the front of each riser, making sure nails point toward the edge of the stair.

Cut carpet pad to the width of a tackless strip, and a couple inches longer than the depth of the stair tread. Using a staple gun, affix the pad to each stair, aligning it along the tack strip and wrapping its edge over the front of the stair. Repeat this for every stair.

Staple the leading edge of the carpet to the base of the stairs. Pull the carpet up tight and around onto the next step, making sure it remains straight. Press the carpet onto the tackless strip.

Stretch the carpet using a knee kicker to push it against the tackless strip. Make sure to pull the carpet as far as it will stretch, otherwise it may become lumpy in humid conditions. Using a wood block and a hammer, pound the carpet down to the tackless strip until it's affixed tightly. Repeat this step for each stair.

Affix a tackless strip at the base of the wall opposite the top of the stairs. Stretch the carpet to this, and using a knee kicker, wood block and hammer, affix the carpet to the strip.