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Just in from the 2006 IRC.... Table R602.3(1)
"Other wall sheathing....."
1/2" gypsum sheathing - can use 1 1/2" galvanized roofing nail; 6d common (2"x0.131") nail; staple galvanized 1 1/2" long; 1 1/4" screws, Type W or S. @4" on edges and 8" at intermediate supports
5/8" gypsum sheathing - can use 1 3/4" galvanized roofing nail; 8d common (2 1/2"x0.131") nail; staple galvanized 1 15/8" long; 1 5/8" screws, Type W or S. @4" on edges and 8" at intermediate supports
Most of the installers in my area use glue and screws. They may use a few nails to tack in place, then screw, but most just use screw guns.
We will still see "nail pops" (screw or nail) once in a while when they are not secured properly.
Interesting, I was unaware that screws could be used in braced wall assemblies (I'm not up to speed on the new ICC standards). However, if I'm not mistaken this exterior applications used where a rating may apply, or in lieu of an alternate material such as OSB?
This is the top plate in my living room. There's actually 6 total in a span of 17'. I will knock off the mud as I stated in my first post, and screw in the screws, and Spackle as required. I will not add any additional fasteners, because clearly I'm getting movement here and could cause additional damage. There's already enough fasteners in the wall, so the drywall will not fall off the wall.
For clarity, most interior drywall has zero structural integrity. The framed structure is stand alone and drywall is simply a finish.
No surprise that people offer advice that know nothing about what they are talking about. If the nails popped that means that they are not holding properly into the stud. By nailing them back does nothing but results in the same popped nail, again, in a few months. That is because all you are doing is nailing that nail back into the same hole that it did not hold the first time. I would remove some of the nails to examine if they are the correct nails for the job. Nails will pop on any house construction--but that is just a few or so. But if they used the wrong nails (length/type) for sheet rock--you should identify that NOW and take appropriate action against the builder. To fix the immediate problem, use sheet rock screws a few inches above each popped nail. I would remove the popped nails, and do the job right the first time. This is a fast and cheap fix.
No surprise that people offer advice that know nothing about what they are talking about. If the nails popped that means that they are not holding properly into the stud. By nailing them back does nothing but results in the same popped nail, again, in a few months. That is because all you are doing is nailing that nail back into the same hole that it did not hold the first time. I would remove some of the nails to examine if they are the correct nails for the job. Nails will pop on any house construction--but that is just a few or so. But if they used the wrong nails (length/type) for sheet rock--you should identify that NOW and take appropriate action against the builder. To fix the immediate problem, use sheet rock screws a few inches above each popped nail. I would remove the popped nails, and do the job right the first time. This is a fast and cheap fix.
Do these look right? I only used these for 35 years.
Nail pop, screw pop, pop's pop- whatever! I'd be more concerned about what caused it based on the info the OP gave.
From the post it "sounds like" the 2nd story is new. Which would also mean that the stairwell is probably new also. So, I'd be curious as to how it was framed-not necessarily the walls but the stairs themselves and the floor underneath (if not a slab).
As for the stairs, where they prefab or site built? And were the stringers nailed to every stud and if there is a mid-span support.
Granted, it could be nothing more than a seasonal pop- but the upstairs walls are pristine according to the OP. And stairwells take concentrated loads-
Drywall is cheap, easy to repair, and adds little structural integrity. But a combination of glue and nails/screws could possibly have made this a non-issue.
To answer what I know - the 2nd story including this stairwell (and the opposite basement stairwell) are all new. It's not on a slab. It is a pre-fab stairwell, both of them. I see nail pops in the basement stairwell as well, though less prominent. No nail pops anywhere else. On the opposite wall in the main stairwell is a hairline crack in the drywall (see pic).
We've spot re-painted this stairwell wall before and due to an upper window's light shining directly on it, we can see the re-paint spots - it's also unsightly. That's why I'm hesitant to spot fix all of this and repaint. I guess it comes to which is worse. If it's not a structural issue, I may just leave it. Attached a couple more pics to give a general idea - thx for all responses already.
Your "hairline crack" is the cornerbead popping off. There's some compression going on there; it could continue or it may have gone as far as it's going too.
Bottomline, I believe you may have some framing member(s) that are inadequately supported or undersized. Especially if the construction is 2+yrs old and just now showing up.
One way to know for sure- make the repairs, and if they show up again in a 6mon period you got "something" going on.
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