Use and Care Manual

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Drywall fastener pops are a nuisance to any drywall installer. The unsightly pops lead to callbacks

and wasted time away from other construction projects. As a market leader in the drywall industry,

Titebond’s technical team investigated the cause of fastener pops to create awareness and teach

installers avoidance techniques.

Titebond’s technical service team completed a series of

tests and determined that there is not one single cause

behind fastener pops, but rather a combination of seven

key factors:

• Above 10% moisture content of the stud wall or ceiling joist

• Adhesive shrinkage (water or solvent-based)

• Drywall shrinkage

• Type and length of fastener

• Technique used in setting the fastener

• Changes in climate

• Faulty workmanship

The moisture content of the wood was found to be

the biggest contributor to fastener pops. While adhesive

shrinkage is a contributing factor, adhesive was introduced

into the drywall process to help reduce the number of

overall fasteners needed for the job. In turn, this reduces

the number of pops, finish time and potential for sag.

Based on our results, we recommend customers take these steps

to help eliminate the risk of fastener pops:

Use a moisture meter to determine the moisture content of

the wood framing before drywall installation. If the wood is

above 10% moisture content, let it dry before installation.

If finishing can wait, use Titebond Drywall Plus Construction

Adhesive. This adhesive is designed to eliminate 99% of

fastener pops.

If finishing cannot wait, use Titebond Fast Set Polyurethane

Construction Adhesive to reduce the shrinkage and eliminate

water absorption from water or solvent-based adhesives.

Polyurethane adhesives do not shrink or contain water.

Use the shortest fastener recommended by the drywall

manufacturer. The longer the fastener, the greater

the relative movement of the screw head to the wood

stud surface.

Install a properly seated fastener with a dimple that does

not break the paper. Overdriving the fastener to the point

of breaking the paper will cause the fastener head with

drywall compound to break free more easily from the

surrounding drywall paper.