Avoid using smooth-shank nails to put up drywall; gypsum drywall nails are stronger and are rosin coated to improve anchoring. Better yet are drywall screws, which can be driven with an electric drill and won’t pop out later.
If you drive a nail and it misses a stud, pull it out; if you don’t, it will pop out later and come through paint or wallpaper. To hit the stud, try again 1″ to the right or left of the place you tried first.
When nailing drywall, hit the nail just hard enough so that the hammer drives in the nail and creates a dimple in the paper (the top surface of the drywall) without cutting through it. This makes a place for the joint compound to fill.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!