Finding nail pops on a wall in your home can be both unnerving and frustrating, especially if they seem to have occurred suddenly or in multiple areas.

Because nail pops are relatively common in both new construction and older homes, the only way to guarantee a life without them is to find a home that wasn’t constructed with any drywall whatsoever – something that’s quite the rare find nowadays.

The good news, however, is that correcting nail pops is not only doable – it’s simple, and we’re here to walk you through it. 

What Is A Nail Pop?

A “nail pop” is a term used to describe a screw or nail that is protruding through the drywall so that it extends past the surface of the finished wall. In many cases, a nail pop will appear as a lifted, rounded hump that has yet to crack or push through the primed and painted layers of the wall.

Sometimes the nail or screw will have extended past this point and will be clearly visible with the head or stem of the nail or screw partially exposed. This scenario is more likely to occur if an unexposed nail pop is not corrected in a reasonable amount of time.

It’s important to note that nail pops can be mistaken for poor mud application or improper sanding on drywall screw/nail holes.

Though very similar in appearance and in the level of complexity it takes to correct the issue, they are very different concerns with different causes and remedies.

In any case, nail pops can be a frustrating and unsightly issue. You may be wondering:

What is the cause?

Did the contractor install the drywall wrong?

Is this a structural concern?

Is it expensive or difficult to fix?

Is it going to show up in other areas of my home?

Keep reading for the answers to each of these questions. 

What Causes Nail Pops?

Nail pops occur as a result of the expansion and contraction of framing timber. If smooth nails are used to secure drywall, they can shift and loosen over time. Drywall screws are a better choice, but a stud will still expand and contract relative to drywall, drywall seams, and other studs and might eventually result in nail pops. 

Virtually all lumber expands and contracts in response to changes in environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature.

The studs in a typical wall are no different. Over time, this expansion and contraction process can slightly shift the position of the wall framing in a process commonly referred to as “settling.”

The settling process can cause shorter, smooth nails to work their way out of the stud. 

In addition to the general settling that occurs in a home, the moisture content of lumber generally decreases over time.

As lumber dries, it shrinks. When observing a typical roofing nail like those commonly used in hanging drywall, the nail is straight as an arrow and then tapers gradually into a sharp point. This tapering leaves a smooth nail vulnerable to the compressing force of drying wood.

As there is little surface area to increase friction on a smooth nail, there is also little opportunity to counteract the compressing forces of the wood on the tapered end of the nail.

In other words, the nail is effectively pushed out of the wood during the contraction phase of a wall stud, resulting in the head of the nail protruding through your formerly smooth wall surface.

Can Nail Pops Happen With Screws?

As mentioned previously, you can still experience nail pops even if the preferable drywall screws were used instead of nails.

This is because house settling isn’t one-dimensional. You cannot guarantee that your house will settle only in the opposite direction of your drywall. For example, what if a stud in one of your walls settles toward your drywall while the others settle away from it?

Well, you end up with a strange game of drywall tug-of-war. 

Thankfully, drywall is a relatively forgiving material, but it is also weak and crumbly and is not secured to the stud by virtue of the screw’s thread.

It is secured by the head of the screw, which holds onto what is really just a paper sandwich of mineral powder.

Screws and lumber, on the other hand, are strong and rigid.

Your drywall will follow the screws and lumber, and if it can’t, it will simply release the screw and allow it to poke out wherever it may. Long story short: nail pops may be less common wherever drywall screws are used, but they are still very possible. 

How Many Nail Pops Are Normal?

As a general rule of thumb, 5 to 10 nail pops in a new (or recently remodeled) home can be considered normal. Since new homes are prone to settling and seasonal moisture shifts in their framing, nail pops are a common issue. If, however, you live in an older home, any more than 3 to 5 nail pops may indicate a larger underlying issue, such as foundation problems or a moisture intrusion issue.

When in doubt, it’s best to have a professional assess any excessive or unusual nail pops, as they may be an early warning sign for serious issues that can worsen over time.

As with any home repairs, early intervention is the best way to prevent further damage and ensure the safety and stability of your home.

How To Fix Nail Pops In 5 Easy Steps

Step 1: Determine If It’s A Nail Or a Screw

If the nail pop has not yet exposed the nail or screw, use a scraping tool such as a razor or flathead screwdriver to clear any paint, drywall mud, or drywall off of the head of the nail or screw. You should now be able to see whether it is a flat, smooth head of a nail or, in the case of a screw, what type of driver bit it uses. 

Step 2: Recess The Screw Or Nail Into The Wall

If it is a nail, all you need to do is hammer it back into place with a nail setter. 

If it is a screw, first use a screwdriver or appropriate drill bit and drill and attempt to drive the screw back into the drywall and underlying stud*. Then, place additional drywall screws about one inch above and below the old screw. 

*Note: Drywall screws should sit just ever-so-slightly below the surface of the drywall without the head of the screw penetrating or sinking behind the paper surface of the drywall.

Step 3: Patch The Holes

Using an all-purpose joint compound or wall patch kit, fill each hole with mud and smooth with a spatula until the filled hole is now flush with the wall surface and let dry completely. 

Step 4: Sand It Smooth

Using a 150-220 grit drywall sanding block, sand the newly patched surface until it is smooth and matches the surrounding wall texture. If your wall is textured, you may need to use a wall texture kit or spray. 

Step 5: Paint

Match the color of your original wall and paint the patched area or repaint your whole wall with a new color.

Are Nail Pops Common In New Homes? 

Yes, nail pops are common in new homes.

This is because drywall is exceedingly common in modern homes as opposed to older wall-building methods like shiplap or lathe and plaster.

However, nails are much less commonly used for installing drywall than they used to be.

This means that you are much less likely to experience nail pops from nails if your home was built within the last 50 or so years, at least not for a while.

If you eventually do, it will likely be drywall screws that are behind them. 

Are Nail Pops Normal In Older Homes?

Yes, nail pops can occur in older homes, depending on the age.

Drywall became popular in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that drywall screws began to be used. If your home was built before the 1940s, you almost certainly will not experience nail pops unless more recent renovations were done using drywall.

If your home was built between 1940 and 1950, you are more likely to experience nail pops caused by nails. If your home was built after 1950, you still might experience nail pops, but they will likely be caused by screws. 

Do Painters Fix Nail Pops?

Yes, in most cases, painters will be able to fix any nail pops in your home. Nail pops are a relatively common, simple and inexpensive fix and do not require special tools or materials.

Are Nail Pops Concerning? 

In general, a few nail pops are not cause for concern. However, if you notice more than a few nail pops, if they occur in multiple areas all at once, or if you notice one or two popping up in seemingly random locations often, it could be a sign that major settling has occurred in your home’s foundation. This type of settling could potentially lead to structural issues that require the attention of a structural engineer or other foundation expert.