How to Fix Protruding Nails in Drywall
Protruding nails, also commonly called nail pops, can be a fairly common household problem in climates with large swings in humidity levels. That's because the studs can expand and shrink as moisture levels change, which can cause the nails to work their way out of the studs and protrude through the front of the drywall. Shifting in the foundation also causes nail pops. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Nail set
- Hammer
- Lightweight joint compound
- 4-inch putty knife
- Fine-grit sanding sponge
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Instructions
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Inspect the area that has the nail pop. If the paint has peeled and cracked on top of the nail, or if loose joint compound is over the nail, carefully cut off the top layer with the utility knife.
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Inspect the nail. If it's loose, it most likely isn't gripping a stud and should be removed with the claw end of the hammer. If the nail is tight but simply protruding, place the nail set on the head of the nail and strike it with light force from the hammer. The head of the nail should be countersunk so it's not sticking out of the drywall. Don't hammer it in so far that it breaks through the paper on the front of the drywall.
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Put some joint compound on the tip of the 4-inch putty knife and apply it over the affected area. Apply enough pressure to the putty knife so you force joint compound into all areas of the indentation where the nail is countersunk. Allow the joint compound to dry.
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Sand the patched area with the fine-grit sanding sponge, then inspect the area to see if it's smooth. A good way to test this is to close your eyes and run your fingers over the patched section. You should feel no bumps or ridges on the wall. If you do, sand the area again until you get the desired result.
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Tips & Warnings
Joint compound comes in a variety of sizes, from 1-oz. tubes to 5-gallon buckets. You will need a minimal amount of joint compound to patch over a nail pop.
You can use fine-grit sandpaper in place of the sanding sponge.
If the nail pop caused a large, deep hole, you'll need to apply two coats of joint compound, followed by sanding, to get a smooth finish and completely fill in the hole.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
