Nail Pop
Nail pops and drywall cracks are common cosmetic defects that can form in recently built homes, or in homes that have undergone recent drywall repairs. In most cases these cosmetic defects are caused by expansion and contraction of building materials as they dry after installation, or by installation errors. Drywall defects are the most common warranty repair needed in homes that are 1 – 3 years old.
Although nail pops and drywall cracks are normal in recently built homes, if they suddenly appear in an older home that has not been recently worked on or repaired, they can indicate moisture intrusion or structural settling issues. In these cases, it is best having a building professional further evaluate the home to determine if there are any active moisture or settling issues in the home. However, it is also common to find cracks in a home that form over time that are caused by long term structural settling. These types of cracks are usually found at door or window corners, and should be repaired and monitored for further cracking in order to determine if there is ongoing structural settling.
Door Corner Drywall Crack
Repairing nail pops can be easily done, but must be done correctly to avoid future nail pops. This entails adding additional screws adjacent to the nail pop to secure the drywall, removing surface debris and patching with drywall spackle over the exposed penetrations. After the drywall patch dries, additional texture can be added if needed, and matching paint can be used to paint over the patch.
Drywall cracks can also easily be sealed using drywall spackle Tape or mesh should be added to help prevent further cracking when the spackle material dries and shrinks.
Being able to repair drywall defects can save you money by not having to hire someone else to do it, but in the case where they form on textured surfaces it may be worth it to hire a professional that can match the surrounding area. Surface repairs and texturing takes experience and skill, and in most cases when an unexperienced person tries to match the texture, it is noticeable afterwards. Some textures are easier to match than others. You can always give it a try, and if it does not turn out too good, you can hire someone to repair it!
Below you will find videos demonstrating common techniques on how to repair drywall nail pops and cracks.