Key Takeaways
| Issue | Professional Cost | DIY Feasibility |
|---|---|---|
| Single loose tread | $75–$125 | Possible with knee kicker |
| Loose riser or nosing | $100–$150 | Difficult—tight spaces |
| Full flight re-tacking | $150–$250 | Not recommended |
| Tack strip replacement on stairs | $200–$350 | Requires specialized tools |
| Carpet replacement on stairs | $300–$600 per flight | Professional only |
Why Stair Carpet Lifts and Pulls Loose
Improper installation tops the list. Stair carpet requires precise tucking and tacking. If the installer used a knee kicker instead of a stair tool and proper technique, the carpet loosens within months.
Tack strips on stairs take more abuse than floor tack strips. Every step puts weight directly on the nosing—the edge of the tread. Over time, the tacks bend or the strip pulls loose.
Heavy foot traffic wears the carpet fibers and loosens the backing. Stairs in family homes with kids see thousands of steps per week. The constant flexing pulls the carpet away from the tacks.
Humidity causes carpet to expand and contract. This movement is worse on stairs because the carpet is bent at sharp angles. The backing stresses and separates from the tacks.
Cheap padding compresses quickly on stairs. Once the padding flattens, the carpet shifts. It no longer sits tight against the tread and riser.
Vacuuming with a beater bar can catch the nosing and pull the carpet loose. Upright vacuums with rotating brushes snag the edge and yank it free.
Pets running up and down stairs dig their claws into the carpet. This creates tiny tears that expand into loose sections.
Water damage from spills or leaks causes the backing to delaminate. Once the backing separates from the pile, the carpet won’t stay tacked.
For more on stair carpet installation standards, see our guide to stair carpet installation.
Safety Risks of Loose Stair Carpet
Loose carpet on stairs is a tripping hazard. Your foot catches the lifted edge, and you fall forward or backward. Falls on stairs cause serious injuries—broken bones, head trauma, spinal damage.
Older adults are especially vulnerable. Balance and reflexes decline with age. A small trip becomes a catastrophic fall.
Children run on stairs. They don’t watch for hazards. A loose edge catches their foot, and they tumble.
Guests don’t know your stairs have a problem. They walk normally and trip. You’re liable if they get hurt.
Insurance companies scrutinize stair falls. If the carpet was visibly loose and you didn’t repair it, they may deny the claim.
Even if no one falls, loose carpet creates anxiety. You tiptoe around the problem, watching every step. It’s exhausting.
Fix loose stair carpet immediately. The risk far outweighs the repair cost.
What Professional Stair Carpet Repair Involves
The installer starts at the bottom or top of the stairs, depending on where the carpet is loose. They pull the carpet back from the tack strips on the affected treads and risers.
If the tack strips are intact, they use a stair tool—a wide, flat chisel-like tool—to stretch the carpet tight and press it back onto the tacks. Stair tools fit into the tight corners where treads meet risers.
The installer works one tread at a time, stretching the carpet over the nosing, tucking it into the crease between tread and riser, then tacking it to the riser.
If the tack strips are broken, they remove them and install new strips. Stair tack strips are narrower than floor strips and harder to install because of the angles.
If the padding is compressed, they replace it. New stair padding costs $1 to $2 per tread. Dense padding lasts longer on stairs than soft padding.
If the carpet backing is torn or frayed, the installer trims the edge and re-tacks it. If the damage is severe, the carpet needs replacement.
After re-tacking, the installer checks every tread. The carpet should lie flat with no wrinkles or lifted edges.
The job takes one to three hours depending on how many treads are loose.
Tack Strip Replacement on Stairs
Removing old tack strips from stairs is tedious. The strips are nailed into the tread and riser at tight angles. Prying them out without damaging the wood requires patience.
New strips are cut to fit the tread width. On the riser, the strip goes at the base where it meets the tread. On the tread, the strip goes along the back edge near the riser and along the front edge near the nosing.
The angled nails must point toward the crease between tread and riser. This pulls the carpet tight into the corner.
Nailing the strips into hardwood treads is straightforward. Nailing into engineered wood or particleboard requires pre-drilling to avoid splitting.
If the stairs are carpeted wall-to-wall, the strips go along both edges of each tread. If the stairs have a runner, the strips only go where the runner sits.
After installing new strips, the installer stretches the carpet over them and tucks it into place. This requires a knee kicker or stair stretcher—tools designed for tight spaces.
DIY Stair Carpet Repair: When It Works
If one or two treads are loose and the tack strips are intact, you can fix it yourself. You need a stair tool and a rubber mallet.
Pull the carpet back from the loose tread. Hook the stair tool under the carpet edge and pull it tight. Press the edge onto the tacks using the stair tool and mallet.
Tuck the carpet into the crease between the tread and riser. The stair tool slides into the crease and presses the carpet down.
This works for minor loosening. If the entire flight is loose, you need professional help. Stretching stairs requires working from the bottom up or top down in a specific sequence. Mess up the order, and you create wrinkles.
If the tack strips are broken, DIY gets complicated. You have to remove old strips, cut new strips to size, and install them at the correct angles. Most people don’t have the tools or patience.
If the carpet is too short—doesn’t reach the tacks after you pull it tight—you can’t fix it. The carpet was cut wrong during installation. You’ll need to either piece in new carpet or replace the runner.
For simple fixes on straight stairs, DIY is possible. For winding stairs, curved stairs, or full flights, call a professional.
Stair Runners vs Wall-to-Wall Stair Carpet
Runners are easier to repair. They’re smaller, so pulling them tight takes less effort. If a runner is damaged, you replace just the runner, not the entire staircase carpet.
Wall-to-wall stair carpet is harder to repair. The carpet wraps around each tread and riser continuously. If one section lifts, you often have to re-do several treads to get the tension right.
Runners are also easier to clean and replace. You can take a runner off the stairs and have it professionally cleaned or replaced without touching the rest of the house.
Wall-to-wall carpet provides more cushioning and noise reduction. It also looks seamless—no exposed wood on the sides.
Runners show wood on the edges. This is a design choice. Some people prefer the look. Others want full coverage.
If you’re choosing between the two, consider repair costs. Runners cost less to fix and replace. Wall-to-wall carpet costs less upfront because there’s no exposed wood to finish.
Preventing Stair Carpet from Lifting Again
Use a vacuum with a hose attachment instead of an upright. The hose lets you control pressure and avoid snagging the nosing.
Install dense padding designed for stairs. It resists compression better than standard padding. Expect to pay $2 to $3 per tread for good padding, but it lasts years longer.
Trim pets’ nails regularly. Long nails dig into carpet and create tears.
Fix spills immediately. Water soaks into the backing and weakens the tack strip grip. Blot spills with a towel—don’t rub.
Don’t drag heavy objects up or down stairs. Carry them. Dragging pulls the carpet loose.
Check the nosing every few months. Press on the edge of each tread. If it lifts, re-tack it immediately before the problem spreads.
If the stairs are in direct sunlight, consider a runner instead of wall-to-wall. Sun fades and weakens carpet fibers. Runners are cheaper to replace when they fade.
For homes with high traffic—multiple kids, frequent guests—inspect the stairs every six months. Catch small issues before they become full repairs.
When to Replace Instead of Repair
If the carpet is more than ten years old, replacement makes more sense. Old carpet has brittle backing that tears when you try to re-tack it.
If the carpet is stained, worn, or faded, repair won’t improve the appearance. You’ll have secure but ugly carpet.
If you’ve repaired the same treads twice already, the installation was bad from the start. You’ll keep repairing until you replace.
If the padding is shot—compressed into hard lumps—you need new padding. Replacing padding on stairs is labor-intensive, almost as much work as replacing the carpet. If you’re paying for padding replacement, add a little more and get new carpet too.
If the stairs have structural issues—squeaky treads, loose risers, damaged nosing—fix those first. Carpet covers problems temporarily but doesn’t solve them.
For full stair carpet replacement costs, use our carpet cost calculator.
Finding Stair Carpet Repair in Ottawa
Not all carpet installers specialize in stairs. Stairs require different tools and techniques. Ask specifically if they do stair repairs.
Check reviews for mentions of stair work. “They fixed my loose stairs” tells you they have the experience.
Ask if they carry stair-specific tack strips and padding. If they say “we use the same stuff as floors,” they’re not stair specialists.
Get quotes from at least two installers. Stair repair pricing varies widely. Some charge by the tread, others by the flight.
Ask if they’ll inspect the entire flight even if only one tread is loose. Often, one loose tread signals a bigger problem. You want it all checked at once.
For professional stair carpet repair in Ottawa, contact us for a free estimate. We handle everything from single loose treads to full flight re-installation.
FAQ
How much does it cost to fix loose carpet on stairs in Ottawa? $75 to $125 for a single loose tread. Full flight re-tacking costs $150 to $250. Tack strip replacement adds $100 to $200.
Can I fix loose stair carpet myself? Maybe. If one or two treads are loose and the tack strips are intact, yes. If the entire flight is loose or tack strips are broken, hire a professional.
Why does stair carpet come loose? Improper installation, heavy foot traffic, worn padding, humidity, or failed tack strips. Stairs take more abuse than floors.
Is loose stair carpet dangerous? Extremely. It’s a tripping hazard that causes falls and serious injuries. Fix it immediately.
What tools do I need to re-tack stair carpet? Stair tool, rubber mallet, knee kicker or stair stretcher, and a carpet knife for trimming edges.
How long does stair carpet repair take? One to three hours for a full flight depending on how many treads are loose and whether tack strips need replacement.
Do I need to replace the padding when re-tacking stair carpet? Only if it’s compressed or damaged. Good padding lasts ten years or more. Cheap padding fails within five years.
Can you repair carpet on curved or winding stairs? Yes, but it’s harder. Curved stairs require custom cutting and precise tucking. Expect to pay 20% to 30% more.
What’s the difference between a stair tool and a knee kicker? A stair tool is a flat, wide chisel-like tool for tucking carpet into tight corners. A knee kicker stretches the carpet. Both are needed for stair repairs.
How often does stair carpet need re-tacking? Every five to ten years in normal conditions. High-traffic stairs may need it every three to five years. Properly installed carpet should last longer.