How do I approach this job so that the carpet will still look good when I'm done? Do I need to remove the carpet from the whole stairwell? One of the treads is cracking and it flexes when you step on that step. Underneath is an unfinished closet so I can see that it is cracked. How can I replace this single tread? I really don't want to hire someone but I've never done anything with carpet before.
Comments
xyz17j OP t1_j6gsz6g wrote
Can you explain what you mean by pull the carpet down and out… I assume something to do with the tack strip?
NagromYargTrebloc t1_j6gupz5 wrote
The modern method that carpet installers use on stairs is staples, not tack strips. They typically staple into the toekicks, not the treads. If you have tack strips installed under the tread nosing, you will have to pull the carpet down and out... once you've cut through.
scrager4 t1_j6hrjvq wrote
if you have access to the underside just brace the weak tread with some 2 by material so you don’t have to mess with the carpet. typically carpet on stairs is one piece top to bottom with a bajillion staples. even if you cut one tread to fix it you won’t have enough carpet to reinstall and good luck matching a single stair in the middle with new carpet.
xyz17j OP t1_j6ikw91 wrote
Yeah I was contemplating this route. Wanted to try and “do it right” by replacing broken piece though… hmmmm
scrager4 t1_j6itaha wrote
to do it right means replacing the carpet on the stairs. so either do it right or mend it till you are ready to replace the carpet.
xyz17j OP t1_j6iuqnu wrote
son of a….. 🤬🤬🤬
xyz17j OP t1_j6ivna4 wrote
Alright so what’s the best way to brace? I’ve got a pocket screw jig kit, should I just slap a 2by up against the underside and put pocket screws into the stringers?
scrager4 t1_j6jp8m1 wrote
that is one way to do it. another is to make an I with short pieces so you can nail in to the cross piece from top and bottom then nail/screw the short pieces to the stringers.
the good news is that with easy access to the under side, even if your fix doesn’t work, you have access to try something else easily.
NagromYargTrebloc t1_j6gshpp wrote
Use a utility with a hooked carpet blade. Start in the corner where the carpet goes back under the broken tread's overhang. Cut all the way across until you've cut all the way through. Pull the carpet down and out, then fold it back. Purchase a length of stair tread... typically Southern Yellow Pine. Remove the broken tread. Use it to determine the length of the new tread. Cut the new tread and fasten it into the stringers using 10d Box Nails. Pull the carpet tightly over the tread and staple the carpet into the underside of the tread nose.