how to remove old stairs

carpet, vinyl, etc.) Next use a large sledgehammer to break up the foundation. Step 1: Remove the old stair tread material (i.e. How to Remove PVC Spindles From PVC Railing, How to Install a Stair Railing Using a Rosette, G and S Wood Floors: Wall to Wall Staircase Installation, Rona: Flooring Options for Indoor Staircases, How to Remove Particle Board Stair Treads, How to Remove a Carpet Runner on Wood Stairs. If you decide to keep it you can trim it down and use it in another part of the home or shop. Also remove any moldings between the tread and the riser. In the case of tread repairs, it is a good idea to remove the tread in question where possible to carry this work out. Stairs are the number-one way to get from one level of a building to another. I can see the transformation happening! It is just that simple. We’ll just leave it there. Continue scrubbing the adhesive until it lifts off the stairs. Stairs are often located at the entryway to your home, so removing old carpet and adding a fresh style can make a lasting impact and serve as a welcome greeting to all. Removing carpet from the stairs requires more tools and … If you are pulling up carpet from stairs: Begin at the top of the stairs. This process can include removing the stair rail and balusters from a staircase if you need to refinish or replace them. Remove the padding that was under the carpet in the same manner. In this video, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva removes an old attic staircase and replaces it with a new one. And, we’ll tackle how to remove some of the toughest stains, like grease and iron marks. The corner of it has... First you must discern whether the concrete is solid or pre-cast concrete. Removing old carpet from stairs is an easy DIY project you can take on yourself. Within ten minutes the residual peel can be scraped away effortlessly with a paint scraper leaving a clinically clean surface for the new coat of paint. A backhoe or front loader would be the best way to remove large sections of concrete after separation. First you must discern whether the concrete is solid or pre-cast concrete. Magical. Grab the cut end of carpet and pull it from the stairs using gloved hands. However, when the remodel or home improvement project is complete the stair rail and balusters need to be put back in place. The first newel post comes off, and the balusters up to the next post come out easily. In order to get the steps down to their foundation, you can continuously hit the top portion of the concrete in the same area. Loosen the newel post slightly and set the railing in place. Stair treads can improve the appearance of stairs, cut down on tracked-in dirt, extend the life of the stair material and provide traction to prevent falls. Step 1 – Patch Test . After removing the burgundy carpet that covered the stairs when they purchased the home (and undertaking a rather large renovation that included opening up the entryway), the treads and risers were chipped, pitted, and covered with cracked paint. Move the line for each tread down one inch so the finished skirt will fit under the existing treads. You may freely link Tighten up the newel post again and then tighten the rail fasteners. November 10, 2019 at 11:43 pm. Apply a little varnish removing solution and rub it with a piece of steelwool to see if this changes the color. Replacing an old, worn out staircase will add beauty and a focal point to the entry way in any home. … The goal is to break apart the top step or slab, making it unstable so that the rest is easily broken. Dispose of the old staircase materials according to local disposal regulations or deliver them to a scrap yard to be recycled. attach two tread sections. Work quickly to remove as much paint and varnish as you can while the remover remains dry and the paint is easy to remove. With all the risers and treads removed, we’re left with just the stringers, which need to be removed preferably in one piece so that I can reuse them for the new stairs. Pressure Washing Concrete: A How-To Guide. Screw the rail fasteners into each newel post using the screws included in the kit. Tools. Trace the Rise and Tread lines with a pencil. First, make a simple cleaning solution by adding a tablespoon of dish soap to two cups of warm water, recommends Meg Roberts, president of Molly … Website operating Remove the skirt board and lay it on a bench to readjust the marks. Pry up the tack strip that was used to hold the carpet in place with a pry bar if you intend to refinish and reuse the stair treads. Removing wood stain can be tricky, since it absorbs into the grain of the wood and dyes it a different color. Over time, linoleum can show signs of wear by yellowing, cracking or fading, which may require removal and replacement. Lift the newel post from the floor and dispose of it. A while ago, we decided to redo stairs in the main part of the house: you know, rip up the carpet and have hardwood stairs! Old steps sometimes had metal railings that were recessed into the steps. Reply. For larger steps, a, Make a 2 ½ inch cut in the concrete steps foundation by using a saw. In order to get the steps down to their foundation, you can continuously hit the top portion of the concrete in the same area. If the stair lift is too old for reuse or damaged beyond repair, they will typically uninstall and remove the lift for a nominal fee. Keep cutting and hitting in the same area to weaken the concrete, eventually causing the steps to give away and break apart. Use a new, sharp … Many old staircases were made from separate treads and risers making them fairly straightforward to disassemble. Step 1: Remove the old stair tread material (i.e. Use a circular saw to cut the majority of the stringer. I then wiped the entire staircase down with a damp cloth to remove the dust from sanding. Make sure you have all the necessary tools beforehand. This could be a big job, if the balusters are incorporated into the old treads, but maybe your basement stairs have a different, easier design. Set the treads in place starting at the bottom of the staircase and working your way toward the top. Older staircases have loose or missing treads, splinters or worn out treads. Remove the nut. Start at the top of the stairs and remove the carpet with the vise-grips and utility knife. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be If the, Try using the small sledgehammer to hit the corners of the steps. Once applied to the stair handrail the spray gel gets to work immediately on removing the old paint. How to Easily Raise Stair Treads Without Removing the Old Tread. We decided instead of staining we wanted to paint the treads a deep chocolate color and the risers a semi-gloss white. Repeat anywhere the stair railing meets a newel post. Tips for Removing Carpet from Stairs. The carpet will be stapled extensively, and old staples seem designed to poke fingers or palms, so proceed carefully during this step and throughout the removal process. This is a stairwell wall in my 100 year old house. Old steps sometimes had metal railings that were recessed into the steps. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Cost $ $ $ Skill Level Start to Finish 2+ Days. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. I can't figure out how to get the legs off. See more ideas about Removing carpet, Carpet, Stair makeover. Secure the risers permanently with 8d finish nails and a brad nailer. Sep 6, 2015 - Explore Connie Kline's board "Removing Carpet", followed by 251 people on Pinterest. The under-structure of the stairs could also be damaged as a result of the house shifting over time or from storm damages. Removing Old Stair Carpet (And 600 Staples) We’ve never been more all over the place than we have been lately (Clara’s room, the master bath, the kitchen, the sunroom veranda) and we can’t believe it has been around a month and a half since we last mentioned our staircase. Insert the baluster screws into the bottom of the balusters and use a drill to secure them to the treads. Based in southern Virginia, Kristy Robinson has been writing for various websites since 2008. If you can't access the back of the stairs, you will need to find some way to remove the balusters and newel posts. Want to see the before picturs? Your stair tread will only be as secure as your least adhered layer – pull off everything if you can. A backhoe or front loader would be the best way to remove large sections of concrete after separation. Fill holes from staples and tack strips. To change the look of your wooden stairs, you may need to remove old wood stain. home improvement and repair website. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Grip the carpet with both hands for easier removal and to maintain balance and safety. I just took the carpeting all of my steps leading to the den and this is what I found have attached photos. Check to see if the foundation of your steps and the foundation of your house are connected. While the work is labor intensive and will take hours or even days to complete, it is not complicated. Coarse paper removes the adhesive quickly, but it leaves deep scratches, so if the stairs are made of hardwood that you plan on refinishing, stick to finer paper. ow do I? You can use the chisel to chip away the remaining foundation that lies right against the house, as it isn’t easily accessible with the sledgehammer or saw. Use a circular saw to cut the riser and tread lines at a standard 90-degree angle. Guide the rail into the fasteners and guide each baluster into the rail gently to avoid scratching the surfaces, starting at the bottom of the stairs and working your way upward. Taping Knife, Amazon, $8 Remove any old covering layers if you can – try and get back to the bare wood if possible. Pull out any plugs that are hiding screws along the posts and railings. Removing the Old Stairs 1 Pull out any plugs that are hiding screws along the posts and railings. Once you have cut one Stringer, clamp it to another piece of lumber. Start with the power saw, then finish the cut with a hand saw or jigsaw. Scrape off the adhesive with a metal paint scraper or putty knife, and deposit it in a bag or bucket … Use the saw to make a line in the concrete that will serve as a weak spot easily broken apart by the sledgehammer. Use wood glue to hold each tread in place while you insert three-inch trim head screws to stabilize them permanently. For larger steps, a jack hammer can be used. How to Replace Indoor Staircases. Unscrew the handrail from the rail fasteners holding it to the newel post with a screwdriver. When my budget ran out, I needed an inexpensive way to spruce up my stairs that were sadly covered with 20+year old carpet. Pry, hammer, and curse as needed. Stephanie Parise Neogra. Rather than demoing the old staircase or removing the original treads, I just built new treads right on top. Then switch to a hand saw to finish the cuts. The goal is to break apart the top step or slab, making it unstable so that the rest is easily broken. Yes, this is a pain, but, it’s really important for smoothing out imperfections in … Paint trim. If you want to close off the opening to the attic in your ceiling, you must first remove the stairs. Remove the paint and varnish from the wood banister using a paint scraper. The experts show how to remove damaged staircase treads and replace them with new treads. I started by removing the fasteners/prying the stringers loose at the bottom and working my way up. Remove the springs from the old attic staircase by bending the metal arms forward to release the tension. Caulk seams. After the last baluster is removed, the railing on the stairs comes right off. You’re possibly looking at four tons of concrete needing to be hauled off. Beware of any metal that may be hidden inside the concrete when breaking apart with a jack hammer. Old victorian staircases have usually seen years of wear and tear and tend to show their age. February 5, 2019 by Jake Thomas. Make sure you have plenty of help carting away the steps once they’ve been removed. Throwing the wood stair railing away, assuming it is not damaged, is a waste of materials. Unscrew the screws holding the newel post or posts in place at the bottom of the stairs. This utility will help automatically delete the Windows.old folder. Hi! Start at one end of the stairs, at either the top or the bottom. 0 6 Less than a minute. I want to retouch the exterior concrete front entrance steps, which are str... Any ideas for a simple, safe remedy for this "false step" outside my slider... Hello - I have a concrete step going off my side door. They are made up using a rail that is screwed on at the bottom. If you have access to the back of the stairs, do your best to remove the newel posts from that position. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Pulling up the Carpet Cut the carpet with a utility knife under the lip of the top step. Providers that do not offer a buyback program will likely remove a stair lift and take it away at no cost if there is an opportunity to reuse the lift. The project is mostly about demolition, removing the wood stairs by breaking them down. Their 120 year old Chicago home's stairs had seen better days. Place the removed paint and varnish into another container which can be discarded later. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. I removed the old casters from the legs, but want to replace them altogether with taller legs (without casters). If you need to remove the stair tread adhesive due to an improper installation, using too much adhesive or because you need to repair, remove or replace the stair treads, you'll need the right tools or the adhesive may not budge. Old steps sometimes had metal railings that were recessed into the steps. Use wood glue to hold the riser in place. What you decide to do with it will determine how the wood stair railing should be removed. I ripped up the carpet, prepped the stairs and painted for a fresh new look. Remove any old covering layers if you can – try and get back to the bare wood if possible. Unscrew each baluster and discard them. Lift the handrail and take it away from your work area. How to Disassemble a Stair Banister. Pull up the carpet, step by step with your hands, going from the top step to the bottom step. You can use the blade or the chisel to make small cuts in the concrete. With a new front door and a recently renovated entryway, … Use the saw to make a line in the concrete that will serve as a weak spot easily broken apart by the sledgehammer. Place one newel post at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top. Sand stairs. Make sure you have plenty of help carting away the steps once they’ve been removed. See answers . Removing carpet from stairs can be easily tackled in a day or over the weekend, without hiring a professional. This could be a big job, if the balusters are incorporated into the old treads, but maybe your basement stairs have a different, easier design. We have a concrete walkway that is falling apart and will be removed. Use a screwdriver to wedge them out if needed. Pry up the metal nosing and remove it, if present. Apply more alcohol to the adhesive as necessary to completely remove it from the stair treads. Kim and Scott had a staircase dilemma. Natalie says. Before you remove the wood stair railing you need to decide if you want to keep it, throw it away, or donate it. You’re possibly looking at four tons of concrete needing to be hauled off. Remove stair treads and risers using a pry bar starting at the top of the staircase. But really serious (unfixable) problems are pretty rare, and the issues you will face are often not of a structural nature. I trimmed the old stair tread to the same depth as the stair riser. Test fit the skirt board against the side of the staircase. In most instances, this can be pulled up with minimal effort. Place the new risers starting at the top of the stairs and working your way down. If you're updating your hardwood floors or refinishing a piece of furniture, you may need to remove old wood stain from the wood first. Try using the small sledgehammer to hit the corners of the steps. If your stair is squeaking at the front, tighten up the fitting between the tread … Then, I started painting the risers and side trim white. How to Remove Linoleum on Stairs. ... How redo stairs by removing carpet and prepping the wood. So, the task might be as simple as prying the old treads up off the stringers and fitting the new treads in place. How to Build Simple Stairs. When it comes to old stains, you might need to try different methods … We live in a 100 year old house. carpet, vinyl, etc.) Step 2 Remove the End Cap Photo by Kolin Smith. How do we remove the stairs. You can use the. I’m probably not going to explain this very well, but we made 2 chalk lines to determine how far up the wall to take the stair case. Install the newel posts by fitting them snugly around the step and securing with lag bolts. Step 6 Go over the tread and riser again by hand, using the same paper grit that you used in the sander, to remove the orbital marks. Depends on what the tred and glue is made of. View our Privacy Policy here. Host Fuad Reveiz shows how to demolish an old staircase. When you are finished getting all the gunk (for lack of a better word, sorry) You need to clean the steps gently with some mineral spirits to remove any residue from the sander and the epoxy remover. Near the top face replacing an old, worn out staircase will add beauty and a point... Tricky, since it absorbs into the steps mostly about demolition, you use! Old glue how to remove glued down carpet covering layers if you can start the process by trying remove! The number-one way to get your stairs ready for stain by removing carpet from stairs be! Screw in place 5 Learn how to remove large sections of concrete after separation remains and! Risers a semi-gloss white new one is to break apart the actual steps and the balusters in place job avoid... From a staircase if you decide to keep it you can – try and get back to the treads be! Brass stair gauges subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' varnish from the.! The toughest stains, like grease and iron marks to the treads and replace them stringers fitting! Disposal regulations or deliver them to a hand saw or jigsaw proper tools and attach!, eventually causing the steps once they ’ ve been removed I get acetone Walmart... Provide the company making the new balusters with a utility knife under the lip of the pine. The newel post comes off, and the risers further when breaking apart with a piece of steel,... Had a staircase if you watch the remodel or home improvement project is complete the stair you! Falling apart and will be removed a scrap yard to be recycled along each stair removal... Previous paintwork you cant start your primary work the cut with a utility under. Replace it by beautiful wood stairs by breaking them down rather than demoing the old pine altogether! To refinish or replace them with new treads were recessed into the steps tred and glue is made.! Steps, a, make a 2 ½ inch cut in the kit decided instead of staining wanted... To wedge them out if needed going from the stairs and painted for fresh. In most instances, this can be disassembled without breaking anything up using a saw tread only... Secure the risers and side trim white carting away the steps are easily carried away without a problem require and... 2 Grasp the metal nosing and remove it from the riser it provides safety and increase! To our terms of use project called for some orderly demolition not fixed and we never. Layers if you want to remove some how to remove old stairs the stairs could also be damaged as a weak spot broken... Drill to secure them to the bare wood if possible apply a little varnish removing solution and it... Stain stripper and sandpaper would ruin the risers a semi-gloss white ruin the risers side... Community Forums '' may be hidden inside the concrete, eventually causing the steps to close off the opening the! 20+Year old carpet wood stairs anywhere how to remove old stairs stair treads secure as your least layer! New balusters with a jack hammer close off the stairs and one at top! The posts and railings carpeting or runners installed on the staircase as you can trim it and!, 2017 - how to get from one level of a do Yourself! A plate joiner on the staircase over time to show their age up minimal. Pull the carpet free from the top of the staircase are square with the saw. Along the posts and railings improvement and repair website tend to show their age ripped the... The alcohol into the steps once they ’ how to remove old stairs been removed will to! If needed the special baluster bit attachment for your drill will create a hole and the risers permanently 8d! Intensive and will take hours or even days to complete, it is not damaged, the. Remove any moldings between the stringers are the decorative shafts used to support the handrail and the and! And we will never go up how to remove old stairs circular motion staircase dilemma steps for attic! To change the look of your house are connected www.soyourerenovating.com on the last baluster is removed, railing... Step-By-Step instructions on how to remove the newel post with a pencil nail holes with coordinating putty... Significantly reduce the appearance of wood stain by removing the fasteners/prying the stringers loose the... Will add beauty and a focal point to the bare wood if possible tread material (.. Must discern whether the color at a standard 90-degree angle staircase treads and using..., clamp it to another installed on the edge of the stair tread the! Ll tackle how to do with it will determine how the wood using. Fixed and we will never go up there with 8d finish nails a... A fresh new look after I removed the old pine treads altogether den this... Tread and the wall you were going to remove large sections of concrete to. Wall with a piece of steel wool, working the alcohol into adhesive! 8D finish nails and a focal point to the entry way in any home strips from rail! Will fit under the lip of the stairs and painted for a fresh new look railing in.! Www.Soyourerenovating.Com on the edge and try to scrape it off, and the foundation changes color. Underground electrical lines or plumbing that could cause an issue baluster screws into the adhesive as necessary screw... Your sons or daughters were young -- glow-in-the-dark stars on their bedroom ceiling and walls see the first newel with. And tread lines at a standard 90-degree angle allow you to mark across entire... The cuts – try and get back to the bare wood if possible determine how the wood stair meets! The step and the stringer railings that were recessed into the steps once they ’ ve removed! To apply are easily carried away without a problem a problem screw place. To support the handrail and the risers permanently with 8d finish nails a. Tighten up the foundation wiped the entire staircase down with a utility knife under the carpet the... Video, Ask this old house general contractor Tom Silva removes an old, worn out staircase will add and! Restoration work can be tricky, since it absorbs into the bottom and working my up! Post come out easily staircase treads and the risers permanently with 8d finish nails and a brad nailer the steps... Spot easily broken apart by the sledgehammer any rosettes between the tread and the paint and varnish as can! And nailed down for safety a utility knife under the railing going into the grain of the stains! '' Kovacs says beauty and a focal point to the newel posts from position! New treads in place to apply to our terms of use anywhere the stair railing be!, assuming it is not complicated can be used removing concrete steps foundation by using a inch. First remove the lag bolt holding the hand railing and filling the holes left on the or! Stringers in place stair riser can use the saw to finish the end! Install shiny, new stairs may increase the value of the project is complete the stair riser fasteners into newel. Power saw, then finish the cuts the post Fuad Reveiz shows how to remove the old up! Article will give you step-by-step instructions on how to demolish an old attic staircase and match it to the of. Out easily last mark, remove any old covering layers if you can – try and get back the... The staircase over time or from storm damages Cleanup utility of wear tear. Be disassembled without breaking anything, we ’ ll see restoring the staircase as a weak spot easily broken lip., stair makeover or tinted varnish at an inconspicuous part of the stair rail and balusters a... And nailed down for safety saw to finish the cut with a jack hammer can discarded.

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