I understand that you have to pound the nail back in, and put a dry wall screw next to it. I heard that it matters how far you drill the screws in. Does it really matter? How far does the screws go in?
Thanks,
Geneexpres
COMMUNITY FORUM
When I've fixed popped nails, I've removed the nail, rather than pounding them back in.
I then place the drywall screw about 3/4 inch above or below the place where the nail was. I countersink the screw just below the surface of the wallboard (about 1/16th of an inch).
I then place the drywall screw about 3/4 inch above or below the place where the nail was. I countersink the screw just below the surface of the wallboard (about 1/16th of an inch).
I then slather both holes with 2-3 coats of spackling paste (sanding between each coat), then prime with white pigmented shellac (Kilz is what I use) before painting over. The last step is important because the spackling paste absorbs paint differently from the drywall, so your paint job will look funny unless you prime over it.
I'm not a pro, so feel free to solicit advice from others. I repainted our master bedroom this summer and spent a LOT of time fixing popped drywall nails (it's a 40 year old post-war suburban house). This technique worked for me.
