How to Install Carpet on Stairs Tutorial

Sweep or vacuum the stairs (including the risers) to remove all dirt and dust, which can interfere with the flatness of your carpet installation.

Measure out the width of the area on which you want to install the carpet, using a tape measure. This could be the entire stair, or just a center section if you intend to install only a runner. Measure where the tread meets the riser.

Cut tack carpet strips to fit in your measured area with tin snips. Set the cut strip against the riser to ensure that it covers the area you need it to cover.

Place a spare piece of strip butting up against the riser, and place the cut piece just behind that one. Nail the strip in place with the tacks orienting toward the riser. Install a nail every 3 to 4 inches along the strip, and place a nail within 2 inches of each end for a secure hold.

Repeat measuring, cutting and nailing the strips onto each stair. Be careful as you work, because the strips are sharp and you don't want to step or lean on one. Measure each stair separately; do not assume that each stair is exactly the same.

Measure from the base of the installed carpet strip to the end of the stair tread. Add 3 inches to this measurement. Cut carpet pad to this width, and the same length as your installed carpet strip. Cut with a carpet cutter or a utility knife. You'll need a piece of carpet pad cut in this fashion for each stair.

Set the pad firmly up against the carpet strip and attach it in place with 9/16-inch staples from a staple gun. Install a staple every 3 inches across the pad.

Pull the front of the pad tightly over the nosing of the stair and staple it in place every 3 inches against the underside of the nosing. Cut away excess padding that extends beyond the staples. Repeat for every stair.

Unroll your carpet and toss it up the stairs so that it sits above you, with the bottom end near you. Line up the bottom edge of the carpet with the bottom riser of the staircase so that the edge is flat against the floor below. Line the carpet up with the strip area if you are not installing it over the entire stair.

Staple the carpet in place to the riser every 3 inches along the installation area. The staples must penetrate the backing of the carpet.

Pull the carpet tight up over the first stair tread. Pull it against the tack strip. Hold a knee kicker 2 inches from the riser at the center of your installation area, holding down the front with one hand and keeping the lever level with the other.

Bang against the lever of the knee kicker with your knee. This will stretch the carpet and attach it to the tack strip. Repeat stretching and attaching every 3 inches along the installation area, working on both sides, until the carpet is secure in the tack strip.

Line up a carpet tool and rubber mallet with the space between the carpet strip and the riser. Hit the tool lightly to pack the carpet into the gap. Staple the carpet into the gap at each end of the tack strip.

Hold the carpet firmly against the next riser and staple it 2 inches from the bottom of the riser. The carpet must be pulled taut. Continue to staple and stretch all the way up the stairs until you have covered each stair with carpet.

Cut the carpet to fit tight against the underside of the top stair nosing. Coat the edges of the carpet with carpet glue and staple it to the top of the riser every 3 inches to secure the final piece.