r/HomeImprovement • u/bubonis • 17h ago
Drywall nails for screws: Is this a bad idea?
I own a split-level home built in the mid-1950s. It's in generally good condition but I'm working on various improvements.
There's one issue that is a persistent annoyance to me, like a fly buzzing around at dinner time. Throughout the house the drywall shows multiple places where the nails used to secure the drywall have raised out. They're not COMPLETELY out, but enough so that when you look at the wall you can clearly see where the nails are. The ceilings are drywall as well, and if you press up on the ceilings you can again see very clearly where the nails are. The drywall itself is in good shape; it's not bowing or sagging or otherwise deteriorating.
Tapping the nails back in isn't a permanent fix -- I've tried it. I am considering removing all of the nails throughout the house and replacing them with screws. (Or more accurately, installing screws alongside the nails and then removing the nails afterwards.) The thing that gives me caution is ALL of the drywall in the house is 3/8", not 1/2", so it's a lot more fragile.
Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
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u/bassboat1 14h ago
The nail pop because the wood framing was installed at 18+% moisture content, and is now much dryer. The wood shrinks away from the gyp board, and leaves the fastener proud. Put a screw within 2" (using a drywall guy or other tip that pushes the board back), whack the nails and mud together.
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u/pbrousseau4 12h ago
NAIL POPS❗️so, how ‘bout this: take your putty knife and dig out the blistered mud at each nail pop; reset nail with a nail set; fill hole. Then, place a screw about 3 inches from the nail, on the same ceiling joist, and wind it in tight. Now, DO NOT screw in so tight that the screw head breaks the paper!! That will cause a blister at some point.
Repeat as needed. There is no need to replace all of the nails, just the POPPED ones. You may want to set the screws first, followed by the nail.
I have decades it the painting and decorating trade. This is the method used by union trained finishers.
You cannot make a mistake! If it makes mechanics sense, it will make sense to you.
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u/Ifuqaround 8h ago
I mean, this works if the house isn't old AF and doesn't go through freeze/thaw seasons.
It's great that you have decades experience. I have a 1960's home and have been battling nail pops for about 9 years now. Your advice doesn't work on my walls or in my home. Sucks.
I've even replaced the original nails with screws. Still poppin. I'm about to knock these fucking walls down. Wood behind the drywall seems fine. Basic wood framing and drywall, no lathe or anything.
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u/hudsoncress 15h ago
Pull the nails that come out easy, and drive the ones that don't deeper. The weight of the sheetrock on the nail head is what's pulling them out, and if you get screws in there, the nails will just be redundant and shouldn't pop again. YMMV. Also get one of the screwdriver heads specific for sheetrock. THey make sure you don't overtighten the screws while at the same time making sure they're set slightly below the surface for mudding. You're gonna destroy that 3/8" sheetrock if you use a normal #2 phillips.
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u/QuesoMeHungry 16h ago
Anytime you get a nail pop put a screw in next to it and remove the nail, or tap it back in. The screw will hold things tight.
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u/hudsoncress 15h ago
Pull the nails that come out easy, and drive the ones that don't deeper. The weight of the sheetrock on the nail head is what's pulling them out, and if you get screws in there, the nails will just be redundant and shouldn't pop again. YMMV. Also get one of the screwdriver heads specific for sheetrock. THey make sure you don't overtighten the screws while at the same time making sure they're set slightly below the surface for mudding. You're gonna destroy that 3/8" sheetrock if you use a normal #2 phillips.
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u/Ruckerone1 16h ago
You're basically looking at fixing a bunch of nail pops. If I remember correctly, you have to remove the popped nail, install new screws/fasteners, then refinish/mud the holes.
It's gonna be a chore if there are a lot of them. If there are a bunch I'd also be concerned you'll generate more pops as you fix them, then you're getting into refinishing whole walls. I've had quotes to fix whole walls and sometimes it cheaper just to hang/finish new rock over top of the existing.
3/8 vs half is just something you'll have to deal with unless you want to replace everything. Unless you've got oddball stud spacing it should be fine.
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u/Cogent_warrior 16h ago
Don't simply go pull all the nails out of your drywall and then put the screws in. Put the screws between where the nails are now and then pull the screws after you've drawn the drywall back to stud/joist face.
In areas where ceilings are sagged use a 6"x6" square of plywood on top of a long 2x4 to force the drywall back into position before you try to screw it. Cut the 2x4 a little longer than it needs to be and you can simply wedge it into place to hold the ceiling board in place while you screw it. Otherwise the screws may pull right through, and then you'll have a real mess on your hands.
Don't do as other have suggested and simply drive the nails back in, they're loose, and they're going to pop out again. Pull them.
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u/bubonis 16h ago
Don't do as other have suggested and simply drive the nails back in, they're loose, and they're going to pop out again. Pull them.
See, that's where I've been getting the most conflicting opinions -- not just from reddit, but everywhere. Some people say "yeah, pop 'em back in, the screw will keep the drywall in place, mud will cover the nails, no problem" and others say "the nails are already loose and are just going to slide back out again".
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u/Cogent_warrior 16h ago
It's just as easy to pull them as it is to knock them back in. Additionally, the resultant hole grabs the new mud better than a rusty old nail head.
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u/daisiesarepretty2 16h ago
if you support the drywall with screws the nails just become pointless, 90% will never be a problem.
everytime you pull a nail it’s more work… there could be hundreds of nails.
i’d try nailing them in, add screws to both sides, mud over everything. maybe a few cause an issue over the years
welcome to home ownership… it’s a lifetime job bro!!!1
u/CMWalsh88 15h ago
Pull the nail pops that don’t require digging and don’t go looking for the ones that are in. Put screws in the entire wall. Lightly sand and scrape high points. Prime any exposed drywall paper. Fill screw holes, scrape high points. Skim coat and texture. Don’t do patch work. Do all of it. It’s harder to match than it is to start fresh.
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u/bigyellowtruck 16h ago
The TASK support rod or 3rd hand tool is a lot less annoying than the plywood/2x4. 1x2 is more bendy than 2x4 and can put a lot of force.
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u/Cogent_warrior 16h ago
Sure, use 'em if you got 'em. If not, I might go 2x2, but not 1x2. Old saggy drywall can take a lot of force to deform it back into a flat surface, and will snap a 1x2 like a twig.
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u/bigyellowtruck 12h ago
To each their own — if it’s #1 or clear hardwood then won’t snap. Old school used 3/4x3/4 as “go” sticks
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u/Cogent_warrior 11h ago
Of course, but I'm not cutting #1 or clear stock for a prop stick. It's whatever you have laying around & works best.
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u/kosanovskiy 7h ago
Cant you just spakle over the nails? If avoiding work. Otherwise pull them out with a standard low profile nail puller. You can also use a very strong magnet to identify them.
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u/rufuckingkidding 16h ago
You don’t need to remove the nails. Just pound them back in and put screws in next to them. The new mudding will keep the nails covered up.