CARING FOR YOUR HOME
DRYWALL
Even with the use of modern construction methods, nail pops, drywall cracks and seams are unavoidable. They are caused as the framing lumber shrinks and twists in its normal drying process.
To repair nail pops, hammer the nail back in then spackle, sand with fine sand paper or a damp sponge and paint, using a paint roller. Cracks should also be spackled and sanded; several coats of spackle may be required for a smooth finish. It may take more than a year for all the normal shrinkage and settlement to occur and nail pops and drywall cracks may occur anytime until that process is complete. These nail pops and cracks are not structural in nature and repairing them should be part of your normal homeowner's maintenance.
Before you Paint or Paper
You may want to wait until most of the shrinkage is complete, usually about a year, before
applying custom paint colors or wall coverings.