How to Fix the Small Swellings in a Wall Before Painting
Nail pops and screw pops are small, convex imperfections in drywall. They usually form a rounded area about the size of a quarter on the surface of the drywall. Nail pops are caused when there is movement between the drywall and its point of attachment to the wood. This movement causes the joint compound and drywall over the nail or screw to bulge. It's a good idea do address these unsightly imperfections when it's time to repaint a room. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Putty knife
- Spackle or drywall compound
- Sanding block
- Wide putty knife
- Primer
- Screwdriver or electric drill with a screw bit
- Small paintbrush
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Instructions
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Remove the drywall compound, which forms the bulge to expose the head of the popped fastener. Older drywall installations were often fastened with nails that have a tendency to work loose, but screws can work loose as well.
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Remove or reset the popped fastener. Use the claw back of a hammer to remove a nail. Remove a screw with a screwdriver or drill bit. You may also choose to drive the popped screw deeper, or to reset the nail with the hammer and a nail punch.
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Install a new 1 3/8 inch drywall screw about 1 1/2 inches above or below the pop on the same stud.
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Press the panel of drywall firmly against the stud as you install the new screw. The new screw should make a small dimple in the drywall without tearing the drywall paper.
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Apply spackling paste or drywall compound with a wide-bladed putty knife to patch the wall. Vinyl spackling tends to shrink a bit more than traditional spackling, so you may need to come back and do a second application.
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Sand down the spackling or drywall compound so it is even and smooth, blending into the rest of the wall.
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Use a slightly damp rag to wipe up any sanding dust. Don't apply too much pressure or moisture to the wall -- you just want to pick up the loose dust.
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Paint over the repair with primer, especially if you will not be priming the whole wall. Spackle and compound absorb paint, which will cause the area to look flat or dull. This is especially noticeable with satin or semi-gloss paints. Sealing the repair with primer first will ensure that it won't be visible after the room is painted.
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Tips & Warnings
Examine the wall around the nail pops. If one nail or screw has bulged out, chances are that others may follow. You can repair them all at once and save yourself some work later. Sometimes a flashlight held almost parallel to the wall and aimed at the surface will help you see these imperfections.
Nail pops may also occur if the fasteners are too short. Screws should be driven into the stud 5/8 inches deep and nails should penetrate the stud by 7/8 inch or more.
Always remove rusted nails. The presence of rust indicates that a moisture problem may exist in that location.
References
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