As previous posts indicated, I'm slowly rehabbing a ~1970's build that has not been updated, at all.
The majority of the walls have slight bumps where a nail wedged loose from its original position in the dry wall. I'm debating weather to take most of these bumps out and replace with screws, or to gently reinsert the nails with a hammer.
The larger bumps I'm definitely going to replace, but do I want to put >50 new holes in each bedroom if its not necessary. The walls are generally sturdy, i.e., there is not any give that would indicate the dry wall is loose. Also, I do realize that if I hammer a couple back into place there is the likelihood that they may bump again in years to come.
Lastly, I'm venturing on this small project because I am preparing to completely repaint every room in the house.
No need to remove the nails first. It will just create a bigger repair. Just set them deep with a nail set and put a screw just above or below the nail. Then you can spackle them together at the same time.
Pop the nails back in with a hammer. Spackle over any depressions. Screws will hold better than nails, but probably not in a meaningful way. It won't hurt to use them though - just a little more in labor and a little more expensive material.
So they hung the drywall with nails instead of screws? Id remove the nails that are popping, put screws in, patch it and paint. That way you know you wont have to do it again in the future
No need to remove the nails first. It will just create a bigger repair. Just set them deep with a nail set and put a screw just above or below the nail. Then you can spackle them together at the same time.
I agree with the others who say to re-nail the nail and add a screw about an inch above or below each popped nail. Without the screw, the nail will likely pop again within a year.
Also, when you sink the screw, be sure to use either a drywall screw gun or at a minimum a drywall bit. It will create a little divet in the paper to sink the screw while not tearing the paper.