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Nuts-and-Bolts Advice About Nails and Screws
By GARY RANCK
Dear Gary,
We have a few nail pops in our drywall. How can we repair them easily? And what causes them?
Duds on My Studs
Dear Duds,
Nail pops occur when the studding (framing lumber) shrinks or dries out. (All lumber, even the kiln-dried type, has some moisture content.) The nails pull out under the pressure of the shrinkage when the drywall pops back out. To repair, push the drywall back against the studs and, while still applying pressure, install a Sheetrock screw two inches above and two inches below the popped screw or nail. Make sure you recess the screw without tearing the drywall’s paper covering. If you tear the drywall, install some more screws above the last two you put in.
Once the drywall is securely fastened, use a six-inch, flexible drywall knife (trowel) to apply drywall compound or “mud.” Apply it over the dent and popped area and scrape it clean, leaving the compound in the recessed areas. Let the area dry, preferably over night. On the following day, scrape the area lightly with your drywall knife. Apply a second, light “skim” coat. When it dries, apply a third coat of mud. When completely dry, sand lightly to feather out the edges.
Using a drop-cord utility light, shine it near the repair; it will show any imperfections. You may have to apply another coat of mud or sand a little more. When the repaired area is invisible you may prime it with wall-board primer, and apply a finish coat in about three hours. When painting the finish coat, using a six-inch sponge roller will make the paint blend very well with the existing wall finish.
Thanks and good mudding.
Dear Gary,
I have a piece of wooden furniture that has some of the framing screwed together. I wanted to disassemble the furniture to refinish it. My problem is that the screw heads have been damaged, probably from someone previously using the wrong-size screwdriver. I cannot back out the screws. Any suggestions how to remove them? They are round-head, straight-blade screws.
Salvation for Screwed-up Screws or Salvation Army?
Dear Salvation,
If there is quite a bit of the screw head showing, use a hacksaw and cut a new slot for the screw driver. If not, use a Dremel tool—or another type of handheld grinder—to cut the slot. Use a screwdriver that fits in the slot tightly. (Also before you try to remove it, try using an electric soldering gun to warm up the screw a little; it will expand the screw and enlarge the hole a little. When cooled down, the screw should come out easier.)
Once you get the screw out a little, you could clamp a set of Vise-Grips to the head, to twist it out. If the screw twists and breaks off, drill a hole in the center of the screw and get a screw extractor from your local hardware store to remove the screw.
Hope every thing works out.
Tip of the Day
Bees Do It
When using wood screws, especially in hardwood, drill a pilot hole, then rub the screw’s threads with bee’s wax; it will make the screw go in so much easier. Also, when screwing two pieces of hardwood together, make a pilot hole in the top piece bigger than the bottom piece and countersink the top piece; it will go through the upper piece easier and pull the two pieces tighter together.
Carpenter Gary Ranck is a sales representative for Brookside Homes. You can contact him or submit a question at askgary@mountainhomemag.com
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