Fix Nail Pops in Drywall
As a new home settles, the sheet rock nails pop during the first two years..... How are you going to fix them?
Steps
- In the center of the nail pop, place the tip of nail punch, and tap in with hammer.
- As you tap in the nail pop the sheet rock mud or old Spackle will fall out and break off. If you discover a screw instead of a nail, just tighten the screw by turning clockwise with a Phillips screwdriver. And proceed with step 3.
- Using "Dap Fast 'N Final Lightweight Spackling, and a small Spackle blade, spread a small amount over the hole.
- Allow to set for about 10 minutes, (Good time to prep other nail pops), then lightly sand the nail pop with fine grit sandpaper (150 - 220).
- Brush off excess sanded dust, primer and paint with touch up paint of the same color.
Tips
- Don't neglect using primer before touch-up paint. If you don't use primer on the patch it will "flash," or show through the paint.
- If your walls have a texture on them, you will have to match it before painting. Some textures can be matched with some drywall mud or Spackle and a putty knife. Others have to be sprayed on, so if you have one of those textures you buy a small can of texture at a home center or hardware store.
- An option after Step 2 is to use short drywall screws above and/or below the nails. This will ensure that the nails don't resurface. If you do this, be sure that the drywall screws dimple but don't break the drywall paper surface.
- There are other spackles besides "Dap Fast 'N Final Lightweight Spackling", however this dries quick, and sands & paints easily. Can be picked up at Walmart, Home Depot, or any hardware store.
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Nail punch
- Dap Fast' N Final Lightweight Spackling
- Small Spackle blade
- sandpaper
- Touch up paint