Even drywall that's hung with nails on the interiors of homes is
subject to "nail pops" [which is what you're describing, with the
spackle over the nail heads lifting off the surface]. You father has a
point about doing spackle in layers, but those nails can't be set that
deep -- if so, they're at least halfway through the drywall and are
doing no good [and would need replaced because a) you'll always have
nail pops, and b) if all the nails are like this, the drywall isn't
very secure and there's a chance it could fall].

The cause of nail pops -- as mentioned previously, it's usually due to
heat/moisture variations, which in effect work the nail out of the
wood. The spackle has to pop out.

Also, it could be movement or vibration, like settling. A house built
in the 60's is likely as settled as it'll ever be. Another cause could
be that the wood the nails are set in has dried some over time, making
the nail holes looser than they were originally. Any climate variation
or vibration could work the nails loose.

I would go all the way and replace the nails with drywall screws --
they're much more secure. All you have to do is figure out which
direction the framing underneath the drywall runs and set screws next
to each nail. If the nails are easily accessible you could pull them
out. If not, pound them in all the way [you'll need a punch or nailset
for this]. Pounding them in should remove the load [the drywall] off
them and they shouldn't be a problem. You have to spackle the screw
heads.

An option, if you don't want to re-do the whole thing, is to replace a
handful of the nails with screws in one area. Make note of where you
set those screws, and see over time if they hold better than the nails.

As for the loose paint, you really need to scrape ALL of the loose
stuff. And I would go over the entire surface just to be sure --
sometimes paint that simply looks cracked has actually separated from
the surface. I've seen quarter-sized spots of peeling paint turn into
spots the size of a garbage can lid.

Make sure you prime any bare surfaces -- I would use an oil primer.
Yeah, I know it's more of a pain than latex, but an option I've had
good results with is the spraycans of original Kilz [the white can].
Otherwise, use a brush or roller that you don't mind throwing away --
the cost of paint thinner usually makes it not worth the effort of
cleaning the equipment.

Hopkins



Wade wrote:
My parent's house was built in '65. It has a carport. I looked at
its
interior ceiling yesterday to find that it was peeling about the size
of a
golfball over each nail. Upon closer looking at it, it appears the
ceiling
is either drywall or some kind of wall board. It is definitely not
wood.
My dad said the spackle came off each nail because it was not done
2-3 times
with time for it set between new applications. My first idea was to
scrape
the whole ceiling, but he said you would only have to scrape around
what has
come off around the nails and build that area back up so it is flush
with
the rest of the ceiling. However, the whole ceiling has cracks and
some
losse pieces of paint throughout..not just over the nails. I am
assuming
that the area not over the nails is several layers of paint, but I am
not
sure at this point. I want to help him out as he is older and really
needs
it fixed. I've done drywall and painting before, so I do know a
little, but
I've never seen drywall outside where it is subject to dampness,
water, etc.
Any help would be appreciated.

Wade