Then dimple the hole slightly concave with a hammer to indent any raised edges. But take care not to crush the drywall core. In addition, cut away any paper tears with a sharp utility knife. This is a good technique to use with old wall fasteners as well. It’s usually easier to tap them into the wall slightly rather than pull them out. The key to renewing the strength of the corner is to remove all loose tape and drywall compound. If the drywall below has crumbled, cut it away with your utility knife and fill the gap with setting compound.

Drive a popped nail below the surface of the drywall with a hammer and a nail set. Cut away any loose joint compound and paper shreds.Finally, buy a fine-grit sanding sponge to smooth the corners. It’ll do a nice job without gouging. Cut through the tape Apply a coat of compound and tape to each joint. Thin the compound a bit with water to help embed the tape. Smooth the tape with the 6-in. knife, pulling out from the center toward each end. Squeeze some, but not all, of the compound out from under the tape so you don’t create a big hump on the wall. Immediately apply a light coating to the topside of the tape, tapering it out onto the wall. Small holes caused by screws or hooks, wall fasteners or drywall fasteners that pop up are simple to repair, but again time-consuming because you almost always have to repaint the walls. Nail pops are common and particularly irritating because you’re likely to have more than one. But drywall screws sometimes pop up too, as a result of damp framing that dries out and shrinks during the first year or two in new construction.