A question for the builders, if you'd be so kind...

[RRH]

The builders completed our extension a couple of months ago and we're now dealing with snags, but I'm not sure if I'm being unreasonable.

The upper part of the walls has plasterboard over batons (it has an atrium roof).

The plasterboard appears to have been nailed on prior to skimming.

However, ever single nail head has popped, leaving circular patches of circa 25mm where the plaster is hanging off.

The builder is denying responsibility as he didn't decorate it- but as far as I'm concerned it would have happened whether or not it had been decorated.

Any thoughts?

I've held a little money back for snagging, but he's pushing for it and I'm not at all sure if I should be fixing this, or he should.

Any help / experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Lefty]

I'd agree with you, I would expect the plasterboard to have been taped, plastered and sanded and all nail/screw heads skimmed over and sanded.

[Lefty]

Might be worth getting him and the decorator in the room together to argue with each other...

Tradesmen are good at arguing with customers, not so much with each other face-to-face.

[maddernj]

I have the same problem, builder finished to a plastered finish though so he is filling and sanding all instances where this has occurred. There is no reason why you should be doing any of this though...

[JCB123]

As above, he hasn't used skrim tape over the joints and nail/screw heads.

This tape is partly designed to stop nail pops.

Get him back to sort it. No arguements!

[anonymous-user]

I think nail pops are a fact of life as things shrink & move. New builds get them that is for sure!

[Lefty]

Dave_ST220 said:

I think nail pops are a fact of life as things shrink & move. New builds get them that is for sure!

Absolutely but that's what snagging is for!

One or two nail pops is one thing but every single one showing so quickly is quite clearly not acceptable. I wouldn't release the last payment until i'm satisified that the snagging list is done.

[RRH685]

We decorated it ourselves as we ran out of money; the build started 4 months late (at least, four months after we paid 10% deposit) and in the mean time the wife was diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't work...

Everyone appears to agree, though, that it IS his responsibility?

Thanks everyone for your input

[Roy E6]

He should of screwed them, I don't know anybody who nails plasterboard these days.

[Lefty]

Roy E6 said:

He should of screwed them, I don't know anybody who nails plasterboard these days.

That's a good point, they certainly should be screwed. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen plasterboard nailed!

[anonymous-user]

Lefty said:

Dave_ST220 said:

I think nail pops are a fact of life as things shrink & move. New builds get them that is for sure!

Absolutely but that's what snagging is for!

One or two nail pops is one thing but every single one showing so quickly is quite clearly not acceptable. I wouldn't release the last payment until i'm satisified that the snagging list is done.

I would agree that every single oen showing is not good enough. However some of the big builders are saying nail pops are not covered in snagging at all these days! Times are tuff. OP, are they deffo nails as these days things tend to be screwed & if everyone has popped I'd be worried the electric screwdriver the builder used was a bit ste TBH!!

[BIGDAI]

Roy E6 said:

He should of screwed them, I don't know anybody who nails plasterboard these days.

All of mine have been screwed and a fair few have popped. I (who know nothing about building) was having a panic but the builder said that the decorators would sort them. I was sceptical but when I spoke to the decorators they said it falls under their remit - they are due back soon to paint the outside & have said they will also do any other that pop in the meantime (at no extra cost)

[silverthorn2151]

I'm sorry, but what has fixings popping got to do with decorations other than causing the decorations to fail and need touching in.

Nail heads (or screws) pop through a plaster skim finish because there is movement in the framing. Either the timber is shrinking, wasn't the right design, has been put in wrong or the fixings are incorrect.

It IS the builders fault.

Its NOT the decorators fault (be it you or a pro)

I WOULD expect it to be covered under snagging and the plasterboard needs fixing better, with the right screws of the right length.

Taping a plasterboard joint is designed to rpevent the joint line cracking when the skim plaster dries (or the jointing compound).

[Laurel Green]

^^^^ This. As said, poorly built/installed, or sub-standard materials used.

[Nineoneone]

The reason for the popped heads is the screw or nail has pierced the paper face of the plaster board.

This is a common problem when the board has been fixed with a standard battery drill.


Screws should be set with a depth gauge type screw gun, Any screw that has been sunk below the paper has no strengh

[RRH685]

Ok, thanks everyone. Builder denying responsibility so I need to weigh up exactly what its going to cost to get remedied and give him the option I suppose.