Nail pops can happen to the best of us. At some point in our lives of home ownership, we all have a “Loose nail or two.” Nail pops happen because of expansion and contraction of the wood studs start to push the nail out, it happens mostly in houses drywalled between 1970 and 1990. Since the 90s drywall has usually been installed with screws which don’t get pushed out by the wood studs.
Does your drywall hate you? Is your home absorbing too much moisture? Maybe you are just like my cousin Eddie and have bad luck. The loose ends of drywall could keep you pondering for days on end.
In order to tackle drywall correctly, you will want to contact a specialist to prevent any additional damages. If you have decided to DIY, you will need to understand the difference of each screw or tool you will be using to make sure it is the right fit for the task at hand.
Let’s start with the basics of the tools you will need. Be prepared and ensure you have all the necessary tools before starting the task at hand. This will save you time and mid-job frustrations. The tools required for this project are listed below:
4-in-1 screwdriver
Drill/driver, cordless
Nail set
Putty Knife
Utility knife
Joint Compound
Stud finder
Now that you have the correct tools, you may be tempted to start power drilling any loose screw you may find. However, this will not resolve the problem at hand or prevent any future wear and tear.
In order to guarantee a happy wall, you will need to reattach the drywall with a screw in a new location on the wall stud.
Nails: They do a great job of keeping the drywall in place but don’t always stay, to avoid nail pops use screws.
RISK: *Not all types are a good fit or appropriate
When working with 1/2-inch drywall, use 1-1/4 or 1-3/8-inch screws
When working – with 5/8-inch drywall, use 1-3/8 or 1-5/8-inch screws
Screws: They help offer an extra level of hold and long-term fix solution.
Risk: *Can damage the wall further if not properly installed or reattached with correct depth.
Electric Drywall Screw Gun: Screw gun has an adjustable nosepiece that regulates depth, allowing for accurate insertion every time. Some are even self-feeding.
Risk: *Minimal chance for error or damage.
All in all fixing drywall can just be the start of a major project.
Now that you have completed the first steps in creating a happy wall. You still have a few things left to do. You will need to putty, sand or mud before repainting the area.
See our other tips on Picking The Right Putty or Mastering The Mud.
Wall Fixers is a locally owned and operated by Harry Payne. We happily serve the Salt Lake County area. We are licensed and fully insured for your protection. We specialize in drywall and plastering repairs. Also, we offer residential and commercial repair services.