How to Repair Popped Nail Screws on a Half Inch Drywall
It doesn't take a can of spray paint and a graffiti artist to turn a beautifully painted wall into an eyesore, nor does it take a 2-year-old with a magic marker. Drywall nails popping out from the surface of the wall can turn elegance into dismay. There are many reasons for popping nails. There may have been inadequate joint compound applied to the wall, the house may have shifted or the wall may be warped. Whatever the reason, fixing a popped nail is easy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Piece of 1-by-2 lumber, about 4 inches long
- Nail punch
- 1 1/2-inch drywall screws
- Screw gun
- Joint compound or spackle
- Putty knife
- 4-inch drywall blade
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Wall primer
- Paint to match the wall
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Remove the nail and replace it with a screw, which is less likely to pop out. Place a piece of wood next to the protruding nail and hook the hammer claw on the nail head, allowing the hammer to rest on the wood. Pull gently in short bursts, allowing the wood to absorb the pressure from the hammer. The nail will pop out after a couple of tries. If it doesn't or the head breaks off, then pound the nail well into the wall with the nail punch. Don't worry if you make a larger hole than was there already. You will fill it soon.
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2
Once the nail is out or pounded in, place a drywall screw about 1/2 inch away from the nail and screw it in. Use moderate pressure, enough so that the screw sinks about 1/4 inch into the surface of the drywall. It is important for the screw head to create a little cup in the drywall that can be filled. If you are not satisfied that the drywall has been drawn tightly enough to the wood behind it, put in another screw.
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3
Use the putty knife to scoop enough spackle or joint compound onto the wall to fill all the holes and depressions you have created. Scrape off the excess and let it dry. Spackle will dry faster than joint compound. When it has dried, apply more, this time using the 4-inch blade to scrape off the excess.
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4
Sand the area first, after the filler has dried, and then repeat the process. Allow to dry.
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5
Sand once again and apply a coat of the wall primer. After it has dried, add two coats of the wall paint. Then clean up and you're finished.
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Tips & Warnings
If the area you need to fill is larger than an inch in diameter or deeper than 1/2 inch, then it is better to use joint compound than spackle. You will have to wait longer for it to dry, but it will disappear more easily when it is painted.
