Fix a Drywall Nail Pop So It Doesn't Come Back

The Problem

A nail pop is a fastener head shrugging its way back through the drywall face — the framing shrank or moved, and the screw or nail stayed put. Painting over the bump doesn't fix it; the crescent of cracked compound comes right back.

The Technique

1. Pick out the damaged material around the pop with a utility knife until you're down to solid surface.
2. Snug the fastener back down with a drill or screwdriver. Tighten it just a little — over-sinking it tears the paper and starts the next pop.
3. Take the back side of a putty knife and mushroom the raised edges inward, pressing anything proud down into the divot so the hole sits below flush.
4. Spackle the divot, working the knife from a couple of different directions so the fill packs in. A deep pop gets a clean pull and then three to four hours to dry.
5. Sand with a fine or medium sanding sponge, working up and down or in circles, feathering the edges flush.
6. Prime the patch before painting. Fresh compound drinks paint, and with any sheen above flat the unprimed patch will flash through the finish coats. Flat paint can get away with two or three coats straight over the repair; eggshell or satin needs the primer first, then two finish coats.