What Causes Nail Pops in New Construction

Nail pops. As your home’s framing members dry out, nail heads can “pop out” of the drywall. The lumber shrinks and the drywall moves with the lumber, and the nail remains in place, resulting in the protrusion of the nail head. The finishing compound may pop off the nail head or be cracked over it.

Are nail pops normal in new homes?

There are a few causes for nail pops in new construction. They include normal drying of wood and house settling, improper ceiling drywall attachment, and more serious structural issues. The normal drying and settling of your home is by far the most common reason for nail pops.

What causes nails to pop through drywall?

Nail pops are largely due to wood or drywall movement and often appear within a year of construction. … After construction, as the wood slowly dries, the studs may shift or twist slightly. This can cause individual nails to move, and when a nail holding drywall moves, it loosens the joint compound covering the nail.