How to Replace Old Carpeting on Stairs With Oak Treads

Remove the existing carpet and padding using pliers, a flat screwdriver and pry bar. Remove the tack strips and old tacks or staples. Clean the stairs. Examine the stairs carefully to determine the condition of the wood. If your oak needs refinishing, this is the time to do it.

Cut sections of tack strip 1 1/2 inches narrower than the width of the carpet. Position one strip 2 inches from the riser on the back portion of the tread. The tacks on the strip should face the riser. Nail the strip down, centered on the width of the tread. Tack strips have built-in nails designed to nail directly into the substrate.

Attach one tack strip on the riser 2 inches above the tread. The tacks should face the tread. Nail the strip centered on the width of the riser.

Measure from the riser across the horizontal surface of the tread, over the bullnose end and under to the face of the next riser. Cut carpet pad to this depth and to the width of the tack strip. Position the carpet pad against the riser and centered on the tack strip. Staple the two back corners. Staple every 4 to 6 inches between the two back staples along the tread.

Wrap the pad over the bullnose edge. Staple each corner to the underside of the bullnose. Staple every 4 to 6 inches between the two outside staples. Repeat for all the treads but the top one.

Position the carpet runner at the top landing with the pile facing toward you. When you run your hand across carpet, the carpet fibers will lay down in one direction. This is the pile. Place the edge of the carpet flat against the riser snug against the underside of the top landing bullnose tread. Center the carpet over the pad and tack strips. Tack the carpet to the riser using carpet tacks every 4 inches along the top edge of the carpet.

Drape the carpet evenly over the tread. When you are sure the carpet is straight, place a blunt chisel over the carpet, centered over the gap between the tack strips, and pound the carpet tight into the tack strips using a hammer. Drape the carpet evenly over the next tread and repeat. Continue down the length of the staircase.

Cut and turn the carpet under at the bottom riser. Tack the carpet to the bottom face of the riser at each corner and every 4 inches in between.