Patching Drywall Nail Pops

Fortunately patching drywall nail pops is an easy do it yourself project.

To patch drywall nail pops you will need the following tools and materials:

• Hammer
• Screw Gun
• 4” Drywall Taping Knife
• Joint Compound
• Sandpaper
• 2 Drywall Screws
• Latex Paint Primer
• Paint
• Paint Brush

Patching Drywall Nail Pops

Start by using your hammer to sink the drywall nail back into the wall stud. Don’t worry about creating a little dimple. Give the nail head one or two serious hammer blows to sink the nail sufficiently into the drywall and wall stud.

Next use your screw gun and place a drywall screw just above and below the drywall nail. This will help to permanently hold the drywall to the wall stud, as the original drywall nail would otherwise eventually work its way out again if it was re-stressed. Now using your drywall taping knife and some joint compound cover the drywall nail head and drywall screws. Make sure you work the joint compound flush with the wall, however leave a slight rise of joint compound directly over the drywall nail/screws.

Let the joint compound fully dry and then apply a second thin coat. On the second coat flare out the joint compound a little beyond the original coat.

Again, let the joint compound fully dry and then sand lightly around the area. When sanding pay particular attention to the edges of the joint compound. You want to make sure the edges blend in fully with the wall surface. Also, make sure you do not sand off too much directly over the drywall nail and screws.

Finally, apply a latex primer over the sanded joint compound area and then paint.