- Repair popped nails with screws. Just tapping the nail back down with a hammer will solve the immediate problem, but eventually, the nail will probably work its way back out.
- Add more screws if you suspect skimping. If the installer failed to use enough fasteners, the drywall panel might not be securely attached to the studs, resulting in movement and ...
- Fill indentions with drywall joint compound. Drywall screws are designed with trumpet-shaped heads, which allows you to insert them just beneath the surface of the drywall, but they will leave ...
- Inspect trusses, where uplift can cause nail pops. If you noticed popped nails in the walls of your home, you may wish to do a bit of investigating for similar ...
- Popped nails in combination with other issues signal a bigger problem. Normal house settling can cause framing lumber to move a bit, resulting in popped nails. ...
What causes the nails to pop out of the ceiling?
Warning signs of a ceiling under stress may include:
- a loud cracking sound in the ceiling;
- a sagging or dropping of the plasterboard sheeting and/or the cornice; and
- visual cracking and/or small circles or blisters (nail pops) on the ceiling, which are a sign the plasterboard sheeting may be pulling away from the nails or screws.
How to repair a bad patch job on a ceiling?
Things You Will Need
- Putty knife
- Hammer
- 10-inch drywall knife
- Drywall compound
- Drywall sanding pad
- Paint roller and pan
- Primer
- Paint
What causes nail Pops and how do you fix them?
Other sources of nail pops include:
- Improper spacing of drywall screws or nails
- Installing the fasteners at an angle, rather than driving straight into the stud
- Missing the stud altogether with the drywall fastener
- Nails that are too short, resulting in insufficient penetration of the stud
- Overdriving the drywall screws or nails, breaking into the soft gypsum layer of the sheetrock
Why are nails popping out of my Ceiling?
Instructions
- Hammer the Nail Back. Wearing safety glasses, use the hammer to drive the protruding nail back into the wall, being careful not to damage too much of the drywall around ...
- Secure the Nail. Secure the drywall to the wooden studs using two drywall screws, one on each side of the nail. ...
- Cover the Dimple. ...
- Dry, Sand, and Prime the Drywall. ...
How do you fix ceiling nail pops?
0:474:06How to fix screw / nail pops - wall or ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're gonna put a screw above. And below the nail pops what that does is we're gonna secure theMoreAnd we're gonna put a screw above. And below the nail pops what that does is we're gonna secure the wall back onto the stud the way it was originally. So we just screw this one here. In.
How do you get rid of nail pops in drywall?
2:237:49How to Repair Nail Pops ! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just dimpled a little bit. And you go an inch above. It. And the reason I like to go above andMoreIt's just dimpled a little bit. And you go an inch above. It. And the reason I like to go above and beneath is. Because if if this nail pop happened because the drywall is under compression.
Can you hammer nail pops back in?
0:051:12Fix Nail Pops - Drywall Nail Pops - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what you want to do is just take a hammer with the widest head you can find this one is actuallyMoreAnd what you want to do is just take a hammer with the widest head you can find this one is actually specifically a drywall hammer it has a serrated face and a very wide beveled.
Why do I have nail pops in my ceiling?
Causes of Drywall Nail Pops Modern drywall systems are largely installed with drywall screws. Drywall screws may occasionally snap off but they will never pop out. Instead, the nail pops in your ceiling and walls are caused by short drywall nails that are no longer firmly attached in the two-by-four studs.
Do nail pops need to be fixed?
If your nail pops are cosmetic, you can fix them on your own time, often with spackle and paint. However, if they're a symptom of a foundation issue, you're going to need to talk to a professional.
How do you fix a screw pop in the ceiling?
Fill the damaged area and the holes left by the new screws with lightweight patching compound. Use a flexible putty knife to apply the compound and smooth it. Apply two or three coats, allowing each to dry completely before recoating. Popped drywall nails and screws are common in old and new homes alike.
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.
Can you fix nail pops with spackle?
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.
Are nail pops concerning?
Fortunately, popped nails (also known as “nail pops”) aren't too tough to fix and typically aren't serious—although there are a few exceptions. Keep reading to understand the causes of nail pops, the problems they could represent, and how you can achieve perfectly smooth walls.
How much does it cost to fix nail pops?
How much does it cost to fix nail pops? If you get a professional to fix your nail pops, it can cost anywhere from $30 to over $100, depending on rates in your location. If you repair the nail pops yourself, however, supplies shouldn't cost more than $40-50.
Can you prevent nail pops?
Avoid fasteners within 16 inches of any wall to prevent nail pops. Screw and glue drywall. The Gypsum Association extends its screw-only on-center spacing for walls from 16 in. to 24 in. when panels are screwed and glued.
Are nail pops covered under warranty?
The reason nail pops aren't generally covered under your warranty is because they are the result of normal settling and/or shrinkage of materials. As you'll learn in the video, nail pops occur as the materials used to build your home begin to dry.
How to make a nail pop?
1. In the center of the nail pop, place the tip of nail punch, and tap in with hammer. ...
What happens if you don't use primer on a patch?
If you don't use primer on the patch it will "flash," or show through the paint. Thanks! 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.
What does it mean when a nail pops in the ceiling?
If you noticed popped nails in the walls of your home, you may wish to do a bit of investigating for similar bulges on the ceiling—which can indicate a more serious problem. Today’s homebuilders often use manufactured trusses to construct a roof rather than building the roof with rafters. Some wood members in a set of trusses are designed to move slightly with attic humidity and temperature fluctuations, and so many modern drywall installers use a special attachment technique when hanging drywall on a ceiling made from trusses. If they attach the drywall directly to the underside of the trusses, however, when the trusses lift, nail pops can occur in the ceiling drywall. Depending on how much the truss moves, in addition to nail pops, you might also find a horizontal crack between the ceiling and the wall. In order to fix this issue, a contractor should remove the drywall panels and install news ones attached to clips or blocks, but not to the trusses themselves.
How to fix a popped nail?
A better solution is to tap the nail back down and then insert two drywall screws in the stud, one about an inch above the nail, and one about an inch below the nail.
How long does it take for joint compound to dry?
Apply with a putty knife, then smooth away any excess. Let the compound dry at least 24 hours, and then apply one more thin coat of joint compound with the putty knife. When that dries, sand over the compound with a drywall sanding sponge, and then roll on a new coat of paint.
How long should a drywall screw be?
The general rule is to use screws that will penetrate the stud by a minimum ¾ of an inch. For example, with ½-inch thick drywall, you’ll need a screw at least 1¼-inch long.
Why do my nails pop on the wall?
This can cause individual nails to move, and when a nail holding drywall moves, it loosens the joint compound covering the nail. 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.
Do trusses move with humidity?
Some wood members in a set of trusses are designed to move slightly with attic humidity and temperature fluctuations, and so many modern drywall installers use a special attachment technique when hanging drywall on a ceiling made from trusses.
Can a truss lift a nail pop?
If they attach the drywall directly to the underside of the trusses, however, when the trusses lift, nail pops can occur in the ceiling drywall. Depending on how much the truss moves, in addition to nail pops, you might also find a horizontal crack between the ceiling and the wall.
Tools Needed
Fixing Nail Pops in The Ceiling
- 1. Remove the area that’s raised.
To access the nail, you’ll first have to scrape off the entire section of the ceiling that’s protruding. How big of an area you scrape off will depend on the severity of the situation. If the nail head is already visible, you’ll definitely be scraping a larger area. At some point you’ll think, “Why not just … - 2. Drill screws around that area.
Locate the ceiling joist, and drill two screws in there. For the process to be effective, you must make sure the screws are in close proximity to the popped nail. One of the screws should go approximately an inch above the nail, and the other one an inch below. Nail pops are just a cosm…
Frequently Asked Questions
- What usually causes nail pops in a ceiling?
If at all you’re wondering whether your house has started showing signs of structural or foundation issues, the answer is no. It’s not. Nail pops are completely normal, and they are often caused by a drop in the moisture level found in the lumber holding the ceiling together. Lumber i… - Is humidity the only thing that causes nail pops?
No, it’s not. Nail pops can be caused by ordinary vibrations, including sound waves. Just think about it this way; any type of force that’s strong enough to make the studs in your ceiling move, will be strong enough to cause nail pops. However, humidityhas been known to be the primary c…
Conclusion
- Just like that, we’ve come to the end of today’s session. If you still haven’t put your tools away, do that. Leaving them lying around could cause an accident, and we’re trying to avoid all that. Send us a message if you have any questions, or if you’d like to contribute in any way. Otherwise, we’ll see you in the next post. Featured Image Credit: Ursula Page, Shutterstock