My home is about 25 years old. Recently I've noticed that the drywall screws seem to be coming out. There's small bumps in the drywall where the screws are. In one room, the opposite is happening. Instead of bumps, I have small depressions around the screws.

Is this situation serious and what can I do to fix it short of redoing all the drywalls.

I can't think of a problem other than its unsightliness. I guess loose drywall could transmit more noise and be more quick to crack at the joints. Most popping problems are from the nails the screws replaced reducing the problem. For the popped nails, start by screwing the board down like a new job. Then come back and drive the nails on down in with a punch. Smooth everything up with drywall mud and repaint. The deep holes where you sank the nails may take 2 coats. Likely that is the problem where you have the depressions, they skipped the second coat.

Question for you, are the rooms back to back?

The reason I ask this is if the wall where the nail pops (25 yr old house probably is nailed and not screwed) are showing is in common with the wall where the indents are, then there may be a problem in the wall.

Did this just start happening or did you just notice it?

Have you made any major improvements to the house recently? (new roof, new hvac, remodeled bathroom, etc)

I would like to offer an alternative to what Labman has suggested.

Where the screws/nails are popping up, put in 2 screws, about an inch above and below the pop. Then, remove the offending nail. Once it has worked its way loose, it will more than likely continue to do so. If you don't want to remove the nail, then, take a couple of new, longer ringshank drywall nails and drive them in next to the popping nail so that the heads of the new nails covers the old. This will help hold in the nail.

Labman is right on in covering up the indents. It is better to put on smaller, thinner coats to help them dry faster and to prevent cracking. Just leave the last coat a little higher so that you can sand it smooth.

Try using a drywall sponge to sand things smooth. It helps minimize dust.

Good Luck, Dan

Dan and labman, thanks for the reply. Dan, no the walls are not back to back. Sounds like I just need to do some maintenance on the walls. I've seen the popping for a little while, just haven't tried to do anything about it.

Get Some Drywall Mud And Some 1 1/4 Drywall Screws And Go At It. When You Screw The Drywall Back Up Some Of The Screws Or Nails May Push The Drywall Out Some Or Pucker, Take A Hammer And Smack Them Back In Or Take Them Out.
After This, Use 3 Coats Of Drywall Mud, You Don't Have To Put A lot On Each Time , Take A 3 Or 4" Tapeing Knife And Cover The Hole, Fan The Edges So There's Not Much To Sand Later, Let It Dry And Repeat 2 More Times. Don't Sand Between Coats. Wait Till The Final 3rd Coat, After Its Dry Use A 150 Or 220 Grit Sandpaper.
You'll Have To Prime This Also, Puttin The Paint Over Top Will Only Show The Drywall Mudd, Coat With 2 Coats Of Primer Make Sure Its Dry, Its Not 2 Coats If It Is Still Wet. After That Paint Away, And Your Good To Go.

We are having the same problem, but the nails look rusty

Not uncommon. Apparently the moisture in the dry wall mud will cause surface rust on the nail.