Removing Tacks From Stairs

Tacks and tack strips are fitted beneath the edges of carpets and secure them to the floor. Tacks can be difficult to remove, as they are designed to prevent the carpet itself from shifting out of position and developing creases. Fortunately, tacks and tack strips can usually be removed without professional assistance by using a pry bar and hammer.

Pliers
Safety gloves
Pry bar
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Grip the bottom corner of the carpet with a pair of pliers. Hold the pliers and firmly and pull upward so the carpet comes away from the floor.
- 2
  Put on a pair of safety gloves. The carpet pad is usually attached to the steps via staples. These can be very sharp and cut bare skin easily.
- 3
  Work upward, pulling the carpet away from each step using your hands. Carpet stair installations are usually made in several separate segments, so you won’t have to pull up one huge length of carpet in one go.
- 4
  Position a pry bar beneath the tack strip on the bottom step. Hold a hammer in your other hand and strike the base of the pry bar. The tack strip should loosen if struck with sufficient force.
- 5
  Grip each tack with the claw side of a hammer and pull away from the floor if you have tacks rather than tack strips. Position the pry bar beneath the tack and strike with a hammer if the tack heads are firmly set in the floor.
- 6
  Put the hammer down and pull the base of the pry bar toward your body. The tack or tack strip should now come away from the step. Repeat this process for each step until you reach the top of the staircase.
- 7
  Remove nails or other fittings once the tacks have been detached. Use the claw side of the hammer to pull out any nails or screws fitted during the carpet installation.

What Are the Causes of a Loosening Tile Floor?

Creaking & Settling Floors

Floor Repairs