I just took off the carpet from my stairs to install LVP treads, but I found some heavy-duty staples sticking out near the edges of the sub-treads. Some of these staples were even shot in at an angle, and I need to remove or cut them flush so I can properly install the new treads. Can anyone suggest the best tools or methods for doing this? Here's a link to the image showing what I'm dealing with: https://imgur.com/a/1QjbN80. Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
You might want to try using side cutters; they can get right in there and help you snip those staples off without much fuss.
An oscillating multi-tool with a metal cutting blade should do the trick for cutting those staples. After cutting, use a punch to recess the leftover ends into the stringer for a clean finish.
If cutting isn’t an option, just yank them out! Needle nose pliers are great for pulling them out completely. You can also pry them up with a thin flathead screwdriver first to get a good grip on them.
For those staples, end-cutting pliers work wonders. I recommend getting the 10” version—they'll quickly become your go-to tool!
Just a heads-up, those staples have their cross bar out of reach. So if you're going to pull them out, I'd stick with nippers for the best results.