QA

How To Fix Nail Pops

Do nail pops need to be fixed?

The result is a tiny bulge on the wall surface or, in some cases, a visible nail head if the drywall compound comes loose and falls away. This is the most common cause of nail pops and it’s completely cosmetic. There are no structural issues to worry about, and repair is fairly simple.

How do you stop nail pops in drywall?

Nail pops can be easily fixed by following these recommendations: Use kiln-dried lumber for framing or if the framing is installed way before the drywall, you will need to protect it from moisture. Drywall screws should be used instead of nails. Avoid fasteners within 16 inches of any wall to prevent nail pops.

Why do nail pops keep coming back?

A nail pop can occur for a variety of reasons, but typically it is due to movement. Either the drywall moved and the nail stayed still, or the nail moved and the drywall stayed still. Not many people are aware that you cannot just cover up a nail head with some spackling compound or plaster to repair the damage.

When should you worry about nail pops?

One or Two Nail Pops When you’re first starting to see nail pops, that’s when you should get in contact with someone. That’s because this could portend a deeper issue, or it could just be a cosmetic problem. It’s true that sometimes, nail pops are only cosmetic.

How much does it cost to fix nail pops?

The average cost for drywall nail pop repair is $75 to $140. Drywall nail pops have become a less common household repair.

Is nail popping normal?

Unfortunately, they’re quite normal — and even should be anticipated. Nail pops, the condition where a nail either pops through the drywall surface or is pulled deeper into the drywall leaving a depression, are, like many drywall problems, often the result of rough framing-lumber shrinkage.

Can I use spackle for nail pops?

As the lumber dries and moves away from the drywall, the nail may not—and pop goes the weasel. Hammering nail pops back in place followed by a quick coat of spackle and paint will look good only until it finds it’s way back out again, so no point in trying to reset the popped nail.

Are nail pops normal in older homes?

It’s common and a quick fix. However, sometimes when this happens, there is something else going on in the house, like some settling, or pressure on a rafter or framing stud that is causing them to pop out.

How do I fix nail pops in my ceiling?

To repair nail pops on your ceiling, follow these steps: Scrape off the raised area and cut away damaged drywall near the popped nail. Drill new drywall screws around the popped nail. Bury old nails into the wood frame. Patch the damaged area.

Can a painter fix nail pops?

If the beauty of your home is marred by nail pops and you are not sure you can repair them (or you simply don’t have time), call a professional painting contractor such as A.G. Williams.

Why do nails pop in the ceiling?

When nail-pops show up on the ceiling of the floor just beneath the attic and near a wall intersection, the culprit is a phenomenon known as truss-uplift or a variation of it. The framing is flexing and the drywall in those areas where the nails are popping can’t — hence the popping.

What’s better drywall nails or screws?

While nails tend to be more flexible and hold up better against shear pressure—or lateral force—screws have much better grip and tensile strength, which ultimately keeps drywall from pulling away from the studs. When it comes to holding power, screws simply can’t be beaten.

What is a nail pop wall?

Nail pops are the small circles that protrude from the drywall of your walls and ceiling. Usually, the nail heads and bulges do not protrude very far: just about 1/8-inch. Often they crack the paint around them.

Why do screw pops happen?

Screws typically pop out of drywall for one of two reasons: they were installed too deep, or the studs have expanded and contracted. If you drive a screw too deep through the drywall and into the stud, it may pop out. Screws can also pop out of drywall from the constant expansion and contraction of studs.

Why do screws pop out of drywall?

When a screw or nail pops out of the wall, one of the most common causes is shrinkage in the lumber behind the drywall. This shrinkage happens when the lumber used during construction has a high moisture content.

Is a crack in the ceiling anything to worry about?

Usually, ceiling cracks are caused by one of two things: structural damage or settling (all structures settle to some extent after they’re built). If the ceiling cracks are due to normal settling, there’s usually nothing to worry about.

Why can I see screws through paint?

This can be caused by the studs not being set in a straight line, the stud is slightly warped, etc. So, after the job is complete, someone will bump the wall causing the wallboard to bow (flex) in, but the nail does not move, thus the “nail pop”. Again, the only fix is drive them in, tape, texture and paint.