Drywall Nail Pops

You may have noticed small, circular holes in the drywall of your main living space and upper floors, caused by nail heads that have punctured through. While this may appear as a simple cosmetic issue, it could be a sign of a serious problem—foundation settlement.

Ohio Basement Authority specializes in providing sustainable foundation repair solutions for issues affecting the overall structure of your home. We don’t simply cover up the symptom; we address the underlying cause.

After reading this page, you’ll understand the causes, symptoms, and repair options for drywall nail pops so you can make the best decision for your home’s restoration.

Ohio Basement Authority and The Basement Guys have now merged.

What Are Nail Pops?

Nail pops are small, circular imperfections in drywall caused by the nail head puncturing through the paint and drywall. Although they seem like minor aesthetic nuisances, they are often symptoms of serious underlying issues.

Drywall nail pops often accompany other signs of foundation troubles (as seen here), including:

Ohio Basement Authority specializes in addressing the underlying cause of problems rather than merely repairing cosmetic drywall concerns, providing comprehensive foundation stabilization solutions.

Why Your Home Has Drywall Nail Pops

Drywall nail pops occur for various reasons, including:

Foundation Settlement

The most common cause of drywall nail pops is foundation settlement, which occurs when your home’s foundation settles unevenly. This happens due to expanding soil, shrinking soil, poor drainage, or construction errors. As the foundation settles, it displaces the walls from their alignment, stressing the drywall and causing nail pops.

Cheap Building Materials

Some contractors opt for lower-grade drywall or nails that are more likely to cause popping. These substandard materials exacerbate the problem. Additionally, seasonal changes and the home’s natural aging may also lead to nail pops. The use of higher-quality building materials may prevent drywall nail pops.

Natural Shrinkage

Wood framing in new homes slightly shrinks as it dries out over the first few years. This natural shrinkage exerts pressure on nails, often causing drywall nail pop.

Addressing the root cause—foundation settlement—is crucial for the long-term structural health of your home.

Can You Fix Drywall Nail Pops?

The simple answer is yes, drywall nail pops can be fixed. Drywall patching will repair the problem in the short-term, but the nail pops are likely to return as the foundation settles.

Rather than solely addressing the cosmetic appearance of drywall nail pops, it’s essential to implement a whole-home approach to effectively and permanently resolve the issue.

Ohio Basement Authority provides such comprehensive solutions by tackling the foundational issues that lead to drywall nail pops. Once we identify the root cause, we recommend customizable solutions to meet your home’s needs.

How to Fix Drywall Nail Pops

Homeowners throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky know they can trust Ohio Basement Authority for long-lasting repairs because of our commitment to excellence and attention to detail. Here’s how our process works:

Thorough Foundation Inspection

Our experts complete a detailed inspection inside and outside your home to identify the extent of foundation settlement. We then recommend repair solutions tailored to your home’s needs.

Stabilize the Foundation

We install foundation piers deep into the ground to reach more stable soil. Although we offer three types of piers, each with its own installation procedure, they all function in the same way to permanently stabilize the foundation. They can also potentially lift sections of the settling foundation.

Push Piers: Push piers are manually advanced into the underlying soil until they reach appropriate depths. They use the weight of the home to help counteract damaging forces, transferring the load to stable soil or bedrock.
Helical Piers: Screw-like helical piers are hydraulically installed beneath the foundation, biting into the soil and anchoring onto bedrock or more stable load-bearing strata. These piers are ideal for lighter structures.
Slab Piers: Steel piers similar to the other types are placed underneath homes with slab foundations to reinforce and potentially elevate the concrete.

Manage the Property’s Moisture

Moisture significantly contributes to foundation settlement, so managing its presence in your home is crucial. We install basement waterproofing solutions such as interior drainage and sump pumps, and crawl space encapsulation essentials like vapor barriers.

Ohio Basement Authority has a proprietary line of products tailored to meet your home’s unique needs, delivering long-lasting results that are superior to generic fixes.

Why Address the Nail Pop Issues Now

Prompt action is key to maintaining a safe and healthy home. Drywall nail pops and other damage can quickly escalate, leading to additional problems that endanger your home’s structural integrity and your family’s well-being.

Here’s why you shouldn’t delay repairs:

Prevent Further Damage: Ignoring drywall nail pops leads to worsening foundation issues. Additional problems, such as sticking doors and windows, may also develop.
Preserve Home Value: Promptly addressing foundational problems maintains your home’s market value.
Ensure Safety: Settling foundations compromise the structural integrity of your home. Swift repairs protect your home and family.
Avoid Expensive Repairs: Repairs are generally more manageable and less expensive the sooner you notice and fix the problem.

You can rely on Ohio Basement Authority and our proprietary solutions, which provide more effective, long-lasting results than those from a big box store.

Contact Ohio Basement Authority for Foundation Stabilization Solutions

Drywall nail pops may seem like a minor nuisance, but they often indicate foundation settlement, which will progressively worsen if left unaddressed. Contact Ohio Basement Authority today for a free, no-obligation inspection and repair estimate.

Ohio Basement Authority’s state-of-the-art foundation repair solutions permanently stabilize settling foundations and prevent future drywall nail pops. Our proprietary support systems are customized to your home and backed by long-term warranties.

FAQs: Drywall Nail Pops

Can I fix drywall nail pops on my own, or should I hire professionals?

While minor drywall nail pops can be repaired by homeowners, we recommend hiring professionals like Ohio Basement Authority for more significant or recurring nail pop issues. Professionals have the expertise to assess the underlying causes and provide lasting solutions.

How much does it cost to repair drywall nail pops?

Drywall patching kits are inexpensive and easy to apply on your own. However, they cover up the cosmetic symptom of a more significant problem. Professionally installed foundation piers address the root cause—foundation settlement. Repair costs vary depending on the extent of the damage and how many piers are used. Contact Ohio Basement Authority for a free inspection, accurate price breakdown, and financing options.

How long does it take to install foundation piers?

The installation time varies depending on the severity of the foundation issues, the type of piers used, and the number installed. Generally, it takes a few days to a week for installation. Consult Ohio Basement Authority for tailored solutions and a detailed timeline.