The Spruce / Kevin Norris
You notice them especially when the light is raking low across the wall.
They look bad, but never bad enough to do anything conclusive about ityet.
You may even have tried pounding them back it, but they always seem to come back.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
These are wall and ceiling nail pops.
Nail pops are cosmetic imperfections that sometimes show up indrywall ceilingsandinterior wallsthat have been fastened with nails.
Usually, the nail heads and bulges do not protrude very far: just about 1/8-inch.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Often they crack the paint around them.
They might run in vertical or horizontal lines.
Wall nail pops are found in drywall but not in plaster walls.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Causes of Drywall Nail Pops
Modern drywall systems are largelyinstalled with drywall screws.
Drywall screws may occasionally snap off but they will never pop out.
The nails protrude, usually bringing drywall compound filler and paint with them.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
It is usually fruitless to pound the nails back in place because the wood will not hold the shank.
This effectively replaces the nail with the screws.
Pounding in the nail after adding the drywall screws is simply a cosmetic fix.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The nail is no longer there to hold the drywall in place.
Be sure to use a smooth-headed hammer, not a hammer with a waffle or grid head.
The result will be a small, round indentation in the wall.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Secure the Drywall
Secure the drywall to the wooden studs using two drywall screws.
Place one screw directly above the nail and one screw directly below the nail.
Be sure not to drive so deeply that you tear into the paper.
If this happens, add another screw.
Screws should be about 1 or 2 inches from the nail.
You may need to tap the nail once again if it’s still protruding above the drywall surface.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Smooth the excess with the knife so that it is flush with the wall.
At this point, do not worry if the indentations are still visible.
Allow the joint compound to dry for two to four hours.
Keeping the room warm and turning on a fan will help speed up the drying process.
Add a Second Coat
Apply a second coat of joint compound.
Sand and Paint the Drywall
Inspect the area.
Joint compound shrinks when it dries, so it may be necessary to apply a third coat.
Lightly sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper.
Apply primer to the repair area, then paint.
If this is the case, call a drywall contractor.
Some nail pops are normal, as wood studs lose their grip on drywall nails over time.
But nail pops, especially when theyre extensive, also can be a sign of a foundation problem.
However, walls in renovated older homes might now have screws instead of nails.
But addressing any foundation issues as soon as possible can help to prevent nail pops.
