"Why can't I stand on Gyprock?" Topic

For your amusement…

In the midst of rewiring my kitchen, I was up in our unfinished attic, which is just joists and fibreglass insulation. I was scrunched up against the edge of the roof fitting a light box (our kitchen didn't have a loight ver the counter, s i was putting one there). It was a tight fit – I would actually squeeze my rib cage against the roof when I inhaled. I had strung some #14 wire from an existing light fixture, so had to go up to the attic to do it – the insulation and vapour barrier's precluded using fishing tape.

To do my work, I had numerous pieces of 8 by 4 across the ceiling joists. I got the box installed successfully, though it took me a long time. I was frozen (it's very cold here) and stiff as hell so instead of going through the laborious process of "leapfrogiing" pieces of 8 by 4 to get back to the access hatch, I started bring my tools to the opening by dancing across the joists. Worked well until I lost my footing and plummeted through the ing ceiling.

Ow, it hurt big time. It also added a new job to my list, ie, reinstalling a new piece of drywall for the ceiling. What a total pain in the ass.

Ouch! Hope you're okay, Tim. Drywall, you can fix.

Back when I was in college, one of the more inebriated fellow dorm members decided that going up into the attic was a good idea. Both feet went through the ceiling…right on either side of a joist.

When campus security (off-duty PD) got there very soon after, the officer could barely call for help she was laughing so hard.

It's those short cuts that will git ya!!!!!

Been there, done that. I've found a way to plummet through the ceiling in every house we've ever owned excepting the present (knock wood).

Feel better. I know that had to smart.

Tim, that sounds like one of my tricks. I'm pretty good at being the klutz on things like that. I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself too badly. I also hope you don't need to call Mike Holmes and the boys in to do the repairs.

McKinstry says it all for me!

I'm OK except for a shattered pride and a very painful bruise on my butt. Thankfully only one leg went through and the other had a firm footing on a rafter. I didn't think of the possibility that nvdoyle mentioned! <shudder>

I'm pretty sure I won't need Mr Holmes – I tend to only work with stuff I know I can do. Hopefully years from now Mike won't be in my former house saying "What was this guy thinking?" – I'm lucky enough that when I have questions on stuff I'm planning to do, I have electrical and carpentry shops I work with to consult with. Plumbing I won't touch myself, though.

Thanks for your responses, they have helped cheer me up. I've been sulking all through the night on this one…

Glad you're not seriously injured.

I'm fortunate to say I've done a lot of work in my various attics over the years and have never done that. But I'm a pretty heavy guy so I tend to be VERY careful and step only on joists and supports, even if there's a plywood floor.

Tim,

That has always been a secret fear of mine the few times when I was crawling around my attic. It sounds like you know what you're doing. I could just imagine needing some "help" on the renovation and having Mike show up for the job. Glad you're ok and that things seem to be going well. Good luck with the rest of the work.

Sorry to hear about this latest news. Been there done that too myself (but no sore bum thank goodness)….