Drywall

Your home's drywall walls and ceilings are durable and easy to maintain. Understanding how wood framing shrinks and settles will help you know what to expect and how to address minor imperfections that naturally occur over time.

Routine Maintenance

Task	Frequency	Time Required
Dust/vacuum ceilings and walls	As needed	10 minutes
Inspect for nail pops or cracks	Seasonally	5 minutes
Touch up paint	As needed	15 minutes
Schedule one-time courtesy repair	After 10 months	N/A

Ceiling Care

Your ceilings require minimal maintenance:

• Periodically remove dust or cobwebs as part of normal cleaning
• Repaint as needed
• Avoid hanging heavy items without proper anchors

Nail Pop Prevention

Nail pops occur when wood framing shrinks, pushing nails outward. This is most common in the first year as your home settles.

Troubleshooting

Repairing Nail Pops

1. Reset the nail with a hammer and nail punch
2. Cover with spackle (available at hardware stores)
3. Apply 2-3 thin coats, letting each dry
4. Sand smooth with fine-grain sandpaper
5. Touch up with paint

Repairing Cracks

Minor cracks are caused by wood shrinkage and normal deflection:

Hairline cracks: Simply apply a coat of paint

Larger cracks:

1. Fill with spackle or caulk
2. Let dry completely
3. Sand smooth if using spackle
4. Paint to match

Filling Indentations

Dents from sharp objects can be repaired:

1. Apply spackle in thin coats
2. Allow to dry between coats
3. Sand smooth with fine-grain sandpaper
4. Paint to match

What to Avoid

warning

• Don't hang heavy items without anchors - Use appropriate wall anchors for heavier pictures and shelves
• Don't ignore water stains - Water stains indicate a leak that should be addressed immediately
• Don't use excessive force - Doorknobs without stops can punch holes in walls
• Don't delay repairs - Small cracks can grow if left unaddressed

Best Timing for Repairs

To allow your home to settle, we recommend scheduling one-time courtesy repairs after living in the home for 10 months. This gives wood framing time to dry and settle, minimizing the chance of new nail pops or cracks appearing after repairs.

Related Topics

• Paint and Stain
• Expansion and Contraction
• Cracks and Damage

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Warranty Coverage: See Drywall Standards for coverage periods and exclusions.