I'm looking to take out the carpet on my stairs, but I have a tenant and want to make sure I'm minimizing liability. The wood underneath is cheap, and I know I'll need a tool to remove the tacks. I'd really appreciate any tips or suggestions to make this process safe and straightforward. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
If you proceed with removing the carpet, expect to deal with a lot of nails, nail strips, and staples. I usually use channel locks to grip the heads of nails/staples and rock them out—it works pretty well. To mitigate any liability, I'd suggest refinishing the wood, whether that's painting or staining, and adding some non-slip edging to the steps. You can find some good options online, like non-slip tape.
What specific liability are you worried about? Are you mainly concerned about slip and fall accidents? Honestly, I think bare wood might pose a higher risk than carpet does. Just something to consider.
When ripping out the carpet, watch out for those sharp staples that might be underneath, especially along the bullnose of the stairs. You'll likely find tack strips at the back of each step. A hammer and pry bar will help you get those out. I also recommend having some needle-nose pliers or channel locks on hand for any extra staples you encounter.