black.beth•1mo agoProlific Poster

PSA: Found a cheap fix for hiding nail pops that actually works

I been fighting nail pops for years on remodels and new builds. Tried mudding over them, tried the screwdriver dimple trick, even tried that expensive spray stuff from the supply house. Nothing stuck long term and they'd always come back after a season of settling. Finally after a bad job in Austin last spring where the homeowner was breathing down my neck, an old timer on the crew told me to use a center punch before setting the nail. Not the normal hammer tap, but a real center punch to mushroom the drywall around the nail head. Then you set the nail, cover with lightweight mud, and sand it flat. I did a whole 2,000 square foot house that way six months ago and not one pop has shown up. Has anyone else tried this or do you have a different trick that actually holds up?

2 comments

2 Comments

river_scott1mo ago

Heard a similar trick from a guy who swears by using a spring-loaded center punch for this (makes the mushrooming way more consistent). Might try it on my next drywall patch job.

the_dakota1mo ago

Try it out @river_scott but watch your knuckles. Those spring punches can slip if you're not holding them square and then you get a nice bloody hand to go with your drywall patch. I learned that the hard way on a ceiling fix last month. The mushrooming does come out cleaner though, less chance of cracking the mud later. Just wear some gloves and maybe safety glasses too. Dust gets everywhere no matter how careful you think you are.