Nail pops are a common issue with most newer homes. This little cosmetic imperfection occurs most often when drywall or wooden structural material (studs, joists, trusses) dries out and shrinks slightly, which causes the mounting nails or screws to protrude. The protrusion causes a small bump or bubble to appear. These bumps can also cause a crack in the paint of drywall. These nail pops can be fixed easily; you can see the process in the DIY video as well as read in the blog.
How Nail Pops are Formed?
Nail pops appear in homes with wooden frames. The change in weather, especially humidity, causes expansion and contraction in wood, so the wood loses its grip on the nails and screws. Such nails or screws due to a loose grip can cause a nail pop.
Do Nail Pops Indicate Towards a Problem?
You don’t need to be worried If there are a few nail pops on the wall. Just deal with them like a cosmetic problem and fix them yourself. Meanwhile, if there are a lot of visible nail pops, like multiple pops visible on each wall of your house, it might be due to a structural defect. Structural problems are better to be solved at the earliest with the help of a reliable home inspector.
Material Needed to Fix a Nail Pop
- Putty knife.
- Spackling compound or drywall joint compound. Do not use Plaster of Paris because it shrinks and is harder to sand.
- #2 Phillips head screwdriver.
- Nail punch.
- Hammer.
- Sanding material. A sanding block or fine-grit sanding sponge works best.
- Texturing supplies,
- Paint and painting supplies.
How to Fix a Nail Pop
You can fix a nail pop easily. Fixing a nail pop in the ceiling is similar to fixing a nail pop in the wall. Just follow the steps mentioned below:
- Use the Phillips screwdriver to see if the drywall is attached with screws or nails. If screws were used, the screwdriver should easily find the screw head slots in the center of the pop. If the screwdriver slips the edge, then it’s a nail.
- Turn the screw in slightly until the screw head is recessed slightly beneath the surface. If a nail was used, use the nail punch and hammer to set the nail slightly deeper, just below the surface. Do not try to set the nails or screws too deep, or they may lose their holding strength.
- If the paint or paper around the nail pop is loose, remove it with the edge of a screwdriver or putty knife. New filler material will be easier to sand. Try to avoid ripping the paper surface on the drywall.
- If the nail pop is in the ceiling, use an additional drywall nail or screw within an inch of the pop to reinforce the mounting strength.
- Using the putty knife, apply a small amount of spackling or joint compound to the new recess formed by setting the nail or screw. Allow this to dry, sand slightly, then apply another coat. Do not apply any more spackling or joint compound than you need to cover the nail pop area. When dry, sand the area once again. You should not be able to feel either a bump or dent when you run your fingers over the former nail pop.
- If the ceiling or wall is textured, apply the proper texture repair materials. Allow this to dry according to the instructions provided with the materials.
- Touch up the spot with matching paint. You should not need a paint roller for small areas. The paint over most nail pop areas can be applied with a good quality 1.5 inch or 2 inch wide paint brush. Any areas wider than 3 or 4 inches will most likely require a paint roller. Most hardware and paint stores sell 3 or 4 inch wide foam paint rollers, which are ideal for making small repairs.
We show you how to fix nail pops in this do-it-yourself video.
When to Call an Expert?
If there are many nail pops in the wall or ceiling, then it’s time to call an expert. Instead of repairing the whole wall, you should find out the real problem behind it. Moreover, if a screw is not getting tighter or you are facing any difficulty in fixing it, it is better to call an expert. Doing it forcefully yourself can cause damage to your home.