The upstairs of my house was remodeled before I bought it. The whole house used to be plaster and lath but the upstairs is now drywall. The upstairs drywall has needed some minor repairs ever since I've moved in.
What I've noticed is that the majority of the blemishes that need to be repaired are nails. It is as though the nails are popping the joint compound off the walls and ceiling. Further, it looks like the drywall is actually held in with nails.
Is it common to attach drywall with nails?
Should I pull the nails and replace them with screws before fixing the blemishes?
Best Answer
It is not common now, it once was.
At one time it was standard practice to use nails. It could be the the structure in the wall that the nail are into is not all that solid so the heads (Pop). I always notice a few popped heads after an earthquake here.
I do not think you need to pull them, Put a screw in next to each one and then gently hammer the nail back into place. The screw should keep the drywall from moving an thus the nail from popping out again. Then you can make your finishing repairs. Of coarse you could pull them if you want.