How To Prepare Your Stairs for a Runner

Installing a stair runner is a fantastic way to add style and comfort to your home. Before fitting your new runner, proper preparation is essential. This guide will walk you through each step, from removing old carpets to refinishing your stairs, ensuring a flawless, long-lasting result.

Before You Start

Preparing your stairs for a runner is a beginner-friendly project that doesn’t require too many tools or materials. The things you’ll need are:

• Carpet Cutter 
• Hammer
• Pliers
• Protective Wear 
• Pry Bar 
• Scraper 
• Sander or Sandpaper 
• Paint or Varnish 

Remove Existing Carpet

Before you begin, safety should be your top priority. Wear gloves and eye protection to shield yourself from sharp nails and tacks, and use a mask to protect from dust and small debris. Cover your walls with protective sheeting to prevent scuffs or damage during the removal process.

Follow these steps to take up your old carpet:

1. Break the Carpet Seam: Start at the bottom of the stairs. Use a carpet cutter and pry bar to lift one corner of the carpet seam, giving you a secure spot to pull from.
2. Pull Up the Carpet: With a firm grip, pull the carpet upwards in strong, quick tugs. Be prepared for some resistance but keep pulling piece by piece.
3. Work Your Way Up: Continue removing the carpet, moving up each step safely until you have removed it all. Take care to watch your footing and be mindful of exposed nails.

Remove The Old Gripper and Underlay

Once the carpet is up, it’s time to tackle the underlay and gripper rods:

1. Remove the Underlay: Pull up the underlay using the same technique as with the carpet. If it’s stubborn, use pliers to get a good grip or pull out any resistant staples. For underlay that’s been glued or taped down, try using a scraper to lift it off.
2. Remove the Gripper Rods: Place a pry bar under the gripper rods, then gently tap the bar with a hammer to loosen the nails. Pry the rods up carefully. You may need to wriggle the bar to get good leverage. Watch out for sharp nails and splinters.
3. Take Your Time: Work carefully and steadily to avoid damaging your stairs.

Clean Your Stairs

Once the old carpet, underlay, and gripper rods are removed, give your stairs a thorough clean. Sweep up all dust and debris to prepare for the next steps. If you notice any adhesive residue left behind, use a scraper to carefully remove it. For more stubborn residue, try a gentle residue remover, ensuring you don’t damage the stair surface in the process.

Repair and Refinish

Preparing your wooden stairs for a stair runner starts with repairing any damage. Use wood filler to patch up cracks, dents, or holes, and let it dry completely. Next, sand the entire staircase thoroughly, ensuring a smooth and even surface. Wipe away all dust with a damp cloth or a vacuum.

If you’re painting the stairs, start with a primer to help the paint adhere properly. Once the primer dries, apply a heavy-duty floor paint designed to withstand high foot traffic. For the best results, allow the paint to dry completely – ideally for 2-3 days – before moving on to the next steps. This ensures a durable and long-lasting finish.

For those who prefer a natural wood look, use a pre-stain conditioning treatment to ensure even colour absorption. This step is crucial for avoiding blotches or streaks. Once the conditioner has dried, apply your chosen wood stain or varnish, following the product’s instructions for coats and drying times. This will protect and enhance the beauty of the wood, providing a durable and stunning finish.

Taking the time to refinish your stairs properly will give you a polished and professional-looking base for your stair runner.

Measure Your Stairs

You need to measure your stairs to find out the size of runner you’ll need for a perfect fit. For straight staircases, we have a helpful guide on How to Measure a Runner for Your Stairs.

Choose Your Stair Runner

Next is the most exciting part, and that’s choosing your new stair runner. Explore our collection of beautiful stair runners or get inspiration from our guide on how to choose the right runner for your home. 

Install Your New Stair Runner

The final step is to install your stunning new stair runner using our guide on How to Fit a Stair Runner to straight stairs. If you have a curved staircase, we would recommend getting the help of professional fitters.

Add Stair Rods

If you want an elegant finishing touch to complete your staircase transformation, explore our range of stair rods to find the perfect set for your space.