Drywall nail pops occur because of the shifts large structures undergo due to seasonal changes in humidity and temperature. The shifts pull the nails out of place slightly, leaving the nail heads protruding from the surfaces of walls and ceilings. Drywall screws, on the other hand, don't pop because their threads keep them buried in the wood frame. The only effective way to repair drywall nail pops is to install screws nearby. Simply hammering in the nails won't fix the underlying problem. If you must fix many drywall , cover the floors with drop cloths to ease cleanup.
Instructions
1. Set up a bright halogen light to make it easier to identify the problem areas. Angle the light so it cuts across the ceiling at a sharp angle, creating highly visible shadows.
2. Circle the drywall nail pops with a pencil to make it easier to spot necessary repair areas later.
3. Install a drywall screw roughly 2 inches from each nail pop. Note that you must install drywall screws so that they form a dimple in the surface of the drywall. If they penetrate too far, or if you miss the underlying wood stud, remove them and try again.
4. Gouge out the nail pops with a 3-inch drywall knife. Remove all loose material.
5. Hammer the protruding nail heads until they are flush with the ceiling surface.
6. Fill each gouged-out nail pop with joint compound using your drywall knife. Also, coat the drywall screws you installed.
7. Allow the compound to dry for about a day, then apply another coat of joint compound with a 6-inch drywall knife. If you gouged out large sections of drywall, you might have to perform several more coats, allowing time for each to dry.
8. Sand the edges of the repairs lightly with 150-grit sandpaper before priming and painting. When you're finished, your repairs should be flush with the surrounding surfaces.
Tags: nail pops, drywall knife, drywall nail, drywall nail pops, drywall screws