Nail / Screw bulges in dry wall - major issue?

MrBrindle

I promised myself I wouldn't post another subsidence based post, because I'm a bit obsessed with the topic at the moment. I suffer from anxiety and OCD so I keep thinking about the damn thing. But anyway.......

After being in our new house for 3 months - 15 year old, timber frame new build - I have noticed quite a few nail / screw bulges in the plasterboarded walls. Some quite big - around 5p coin size and some just a circular crack around the heads themselves. There are also a few hairline cracks in areas as well - along wall to ceiling joints and cracks along where the coving attaches to the ceiling. And vertical ones above door frames.

I have probably counted at least 15 bulges, some which have been painted over and some filled prior to purchase, and I feel like I'm noticing more every day!

Unfortunately, when you google this, the majority of websites highlight it as a potential foundation problem! Great for someone obsessing over subsidence.

Any thoughts?

bobbymotors

any thoughts?

yes.

keep taking the tablets and get on with your life.

Ruski

Not uncommon in a timber frame build - i decorated a bathroom last week and had to dig, tighten and fill a few in there. (15 year build)

Worry about something more important

Russ

Jackmydad

The trouble is OP, is that houses are rarely "perfect" Apart from anything else, when you think about it they are "hand made", and that means there are small imperfections to our eyes that are used to an engineered, mass produced finish.
Also houses move with temperature and moisture. They move with the seasons.
You'll always find hairline cracks in houses.
The more you look at anything. The more imperfections you will see.
Stop looking for every little imperfection.

LandyAndy

'Poppers' are a common occurrence. Knock out the loose material, fill, and paint over. Nothing to worry about.

flashg67

Loads have appeared over 15 yrs in my new build. I filled the ones I could see from my armchair, left the rest!

Gloomendoom

MrBrindle wrote: »

I promised myself I wouldn't post another subsidence based post, because I'm a bit obsessed with the topic at the moment. I suffer from anxiety and OCD so I keep thinking about the damn thing. But anyway.......

After being in our new house for 3 months - 15 year old, timber frame new build - I have noticed quite a few nail / screw bulges in the plasterboarded walls. Some quite big - around 5p coin size and some just a circular crack around the heads themselves. There are also a few hairline cracks in areas as well - along wall to ceiling joints and cracks along where the coving attaches to the ceiling. And vertical ones above door frames.

I have probably counted at least 15 bulges, some which have been painted over and some filled prior to purchase, and I feel like I'm noticing more every day!

Unfortunately, when you google this, the majority of websites highlight it as a potential foundation problem! Great for someone obsessing over subsidence.

Any thoughts?

You ought to spend a week in my house. No foundations, not a right angle in the place, uneven walls and floor, cracks all over the place.

It's over 300 years old and hasn't fallen down yet.

Doozergirl

LandyAndy wrote: »

'Poppers' are a common occurrence. Knock out the loose material, fill, and paint over. Nothing to worry about.

This. Plaster doesn't bond to nail heads so they are prone to popping, which is a really good word for it. The vibrations of doors slamming or heavy-footed people running up and down stairs will cause them to pop.

armchaireconomist

Subsidence? This sounds like fairly standard decorating to me. You're overthinking it.


It sounds like the plasterboard fixings have bust (not uncommon - plaster doesn't stick to metal). Hit with a hammer and slap some all-purpose filler in the divet you've just made, repaint and get on with your life.


As for the hairline cracks, buildings move/settle/vibrate. I'd expect them in any house that hadn't been recently decorated. Buy some decorators caulk and fill them in.