If you’re planning to refurbish your staircase you may discover that good preparation pays dividends. Whether or not you’re going to lay a brand new carpet, paint or stain the steps or change the balustrade, you’ll obtain a extra professional-looking end in case you take the time to totally prep all of the wood surfaces beforehand. This will likely embrace, amongst different issues, stripping off outdated varnish, wooden stain or paint, extracting nails and staples, sanding down the staircase and eliminating the outdated stair carpet.Eradicating stair carpetStarting from the highest step, lever up the carpet utilizing a pry bar and divide into manageable sections with a pointy utility knife, slicing from the again. If you’re going to lay new stair carpet, you’ll be able to depart the tack strips in place – simply prise up any broken or rusty ones. Take away protruding nails and staples with a claw hammer, pliers or nail extractor. If you cannot pull all of them out, simply hammer them proper into the wooden and canopy up any marks afterwards with wooden filler.Sanding down stairsRemoving outdated paint or varnish and getting all of the surfaces easy is especially essential if you’re planning to stain or paint your stairs somewhat than lay new carpet. Sand the whole lot down, beginning with coarse 40 or 60 grit sandpaper and dealing your manner as much as superb 120 or 240 grit paper for a easy end.In case your price range permits it, an influence device might save appreciable effort and time. Use a random orbital or belt sanding machine for the bigger surfaces similar to treads and risers, and a element (also referred to as mouse) sanding machine for corners and small stair components.The spindles, or balusters, will should be tackled manually. Simply wrap a strip of sandpaper round a spindle and pull it from side to side as in case you had been shining sneakers. Work your manner up and down the spindle till the floor is easy. Ornate stair designs may additionally require using a chemical stripper to get into all of the nooks and crannies.Cleansing upWhen you will have completed sanding, vacuum the steps from finish to finish to take away all mud and particles. Use a big sponge to wipe the whole lot down with water and a gentle detergent – liquid flooring cleaner is good, so long as it does not include bleach. Rinse totally and depart to dry for no less than a day.Filling in cracksYou might properly discover varied nail holes, cracks and dents in your staircase. To hide them, apply wooden filler (also referred to as wooden putty) in as shut a shade as potential to the color of your stairs. The compound will in all probability lighten because it dries out, so take a look at it on an unobtrusive space first. As a result of filler tends to shrink because it hardens, you’ll need to compensate by barely over-filling the holes. Sand calmly when dry to degree the floor, and wipe with a humid material. Your stairs are actually prepared for brand new paint, wooden stain or carpet.
