Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - Staircase carpet removal

I had no trouble whatsoever removing the shag carpet in my living room, and the floor looks pretty good underneath prior to refinishing, but the staircase is another thing. It's installed as a runner(6" wood on each side, carpet down the middle), and is installed so firmly on the steps and around the edges that it can't be removed without tremendous effort. I'm afraid I'll tear and splinter the wood steps trying to remove it. I don't want to call carpet people if I'm not installing any after the removal. Any suggestions?

Chances are they were installed with lots and lots of staples. Use a small flat tip screwdriver to lift the staples up, they a pair of plyers to remove them.

Ted

i'm yearning to do the same to the stained old berber on our stairs. but what about all the holes from the staples and tack boards? the stairs themselves are white, so i can patch and paint. but the rise is nat'l wood. is there a good product to patch that? thanks, paula.

Colored wood filler, found in the painting section at the big box stores.

thanks much, perry.