Why Do Nails Come Out of Drywall?

Unlike drywall nails, screws won't pop out.

Unlike drywall nails, screws won't pop out.

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Drywall nails pop out because they are ... nails. They have smooth shanks, and any stress caused by movement of the framing can loosen their grip. A series of popped nails on a wall often signifies truss uplift or foundation settling. The best way to fix popped nails is to replace them with screws.

Why They Pop

Drywall nails are 1 1/2-inch common nails with concave heads that allow them to disappear more easily underneath drywall mud. When one backs out, it's usually because the framing swelled and then contracted again, which is normal behavior for framing in conditions of fluctuating humidity. Popped nails can also signify a more serious problem: The wood may be rotted and no longer able to hold them. When rot is the issue, you'll usually also notice drywall deterioration and mold.

Fixing Popped Nails

It's never a good idea to simply drive a popped nail back into the framing and coat it with joint compound because the nail will probably pop again. Instead, you should extract the popped nail and replace it with a drywall screw -- assuming no repairs are needed to the framing. Offset the screw slightly from the nail hole to ensure it bites into fresh wood.

About the Author

Chris Deziel


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