How to Replace Carpet on Stairs

Remove all of the old carpet, pad, nails, staples and tack bars.

Measure the depth of the step and the height of the riser. Add these together. Count how many steps you have and add one more step to the total. Multiply the number of steps by the sum from the depth and height of the riser. This is the amount of carpet you need.

Measure the width of the step and add an extra inch. Cut your carpet to this width with your utility knife.

Measure and cut the length of tack bar needed for the tread of the step.

Hammer down the tack strip to the back of the step leaving 1/2 inch between the tack strip and the riser. The tack strip is marked with a circle where the nails go. Hammer the nails through the tack strip and into the floor.

Measure the depth and width of the step. Cut the padding to fit the step, with extra added to the depth so that the padding can roll over the nose.

Staple the padding down onto the tread.

Begin at the bottom of the stairs. Staple the carpet up to the first riser and at the bottom of the first riser.

Bring the carpet up onto the first step from the bottom of the staircase and push it down the tack strip using your stair tool. Trim the excess of the sides using your utility knife. Repeat this for every step until you're finished.