Repairing Nail Bulges in Sheetrock

Nail Pop Causes

• Lumber shrinks as it ages, which may cause nail pops. The shrinkage sometimes forces nails out of wooden wall studs and ceiling joists that hold sheetrock in place. Lumber shrinkage is unavoidable, so nail pops aren't necessarily a sign that your sheetrock was installed improperly. However, installing wallboard with nails that are too short can also cause nails to dislodge. A nail needs to penetrate a stud or joist by a minimum of 7/8-inch to prevent nail pops, according to This Old House. The thickness of the wallboard affects the nail length. For example, wallboard that's 3/4-inch in thickness generally needs to be hung with 1 7/8-inch-long nails.

Preventing Nail Pops

• Use drywall screws to repair a nail pop instead of nails. The screw threads grip wooden wall joists and studs better than the smooth shank of a nail and prevent additional nail pops. Install a screw about 1-1/2 inches above the nail pop; press the sheetrock against the stud or joist as you set the screw. Install another screw 1-1/2 inches below the nail pop in the same manner. Don't force the screw too far into the sheetrock; it should sit just below the surface without creating deep dimples in the wallboard.

Repairing Sheetrock

• Remove the popped nail after the screws are in place then put drywall tape over the nail hole and the screws. Apply and smooth joint compound over the taped area with a putty knife; keep the compound confined to the taped area as you spread it. Use a stippling brush or other texture tool to create a pattern in the compound, before it dries, if you're repairing a textured wall. Let the area dry and apply more joint compound if you see depressions on the repaired surface or the dried compound doesn't completely cover the drywall tape.

Paint Finish

• Lightly sand the repaired area with fine-grade sandpaper, after it’s dry, to smooth the surface if you’re not repairing a textured wall. You may have to repaint the entire wall after repairing a nail pop. Paint fades as it ages, and it might be difficult to get the new paint on the repaired area to match the rest of the wall, especially if the wall has a glossy finish.