How to Install Carpet on Stairs With Staples

Calculate the amount of carpet you will need to complete your project. Measure the width of the stairway and subtract the amount that will be covered by the carpet runner. Take this total and divide by two for the number of inches at each side of the stairs that will not be covered. Cut this width of carpet for your staircase.

Lay down the tack strip along the bottom of each stair. Begin stapling at the bottom of the staircase and staple the carpet up the first rise, using your staple gun with four or five staples. Continue with four or five additional staples at the top of each stair and at the bullnose. Pull the carpet back up and push it down on the tack strip with your wedging tool.

Repeat the above step for every tread by securing the staples and tack strip in place. Begin at the bottom of the first riser and position the end of the runner directly over the bottom fastening strip. Use your utility knife to trim any uneven edges of the carpet runner that may seem out of place.

Wedge the carpet into place permanently with your hammer by driving the carpet into the tack strip below. Continue hammering until you have secured each piece of carpet over each individual stair. When you reach the top of the staircase, stretch the last piece of runner so that it is securely in place on the floor and hammer it into place as you did with each previous stair.