Stair Carpet Installation Instructions

Measure the carpet's width and subtract 2 inches. Transfer this measurement to tackless strips. Cut the tackless strips to length with sheet metal snips.

Divide the tackless strips' length by two and place a pencil mark on this measurement to indicate the center point. Measure the stair's length and divide by two. Place a pencil mark on the stairs' tread at this measurement to indicate the center point.

Place a tackless strip in front of each stair rise, approximately a thumb's width away from the rise. Line up the tackless strips' center marks with the stairs' center marks. Make sure the tackless strips' hooks point toward the stair rise. Hammer nails through the strip and into the wooden stairs to hold the strip in place.

Cut carpet pad pieces with a utility knife. Make the pieces the same width as the tackless strips and 3 inches longer than the tread's depth. Push the pads' top edges against the tackless strips -- do not cover the tackless strips with the pad. Use a staple gun to drive staples through the pad and into the stair tread. Use 9/16-inch staples and place one every 3 inches.

Pull the pad tightly toward the stair's edge. Fold the pad over the edge and staple the pad to the underside of the stair's overhanging lip. Repeat for each step.

Hold a carpenter's square against one of the carpet's ends to check that it is square. Turn the carpet over and cut it square with a carpet knife, if necessary. Spread latex carpet glue over the cut portion so it does not fray. Allow the glue to dry.

Roll the carpet up and over three or four stairs. Center it over the tackless strips. Line up the carpet's end with the corner where the floor meets the first stair's rise. Staple the carpet in place with 9/16-inch staples every 3 inches.

Pull the carpet up and over to the first tack strip located on the first step. Set a knee-kicker on the carpet's center point, about 2 inches from the second stair's rise. Hit the knee kicker with your knee to force the carpet forward. The carpet should hook onto the tackless strip. Move the knee-kicker over to one side and kick the carpet forward. Repeat on the other side until the entire length of carpet has been secured to the tackless strip.

Pull the carpet up and over to the second tackless strip on the second step. Repeat Step 8 to secure the carpet on the tackless strip. Secure the carpet over the third and fourth stair in the same way.

Push the carpet into the corner where the stairs' treads and rises meet, with a carpet chisel. Hit the carpet chisel's handle with a rubber mallet to force the carpet into the corner. Place one staple on either side of the carpet, close to the corner, to hold the carpet in place. Align the staples with the tackless strips' ends. Push the carpet up the stairs' rise about 2 inches and secure the edges in place with staples.

Roll the carpet up another three or four stairs and secure it in place the same way you secured it to the first three or four steps. Continue to work your way up the staircase. When you reach the second floor, push the carpet's edge tight against the final rise and into the corner where the rise meets the second floor. Cut the carpet with a carpet knife, if necessary. Secure the carpet's end in place with staples.