Torched Laughter Studio Diary: Day 9 - It Went In Like Butter
Today was to be the recording of violins.
WAS.
The intent was to play with some microphones and placement until I got the right sound.
Sadly/Fortunately (circle one) I got sucked into the world of Home Renovation.
This entailed buying some flooring, a table, and other bric a brac. A temporary diversion in the end right?
WRONG.
When we got home the missus decided to install new closet shelves. Swell. While she does that I will go to my little hole and find the right violin sound. In between the obnoxiously loud music of The Northern Kings (see end of post) and the sounds of a power drill, I made my best effort to find the right sound. While moving the mic around, I hear a yell.
A yell that easily surpassed the singer of Sonata Arctica wailing away some 80’s tune.
I rushed upstairs to see what was wrong:
Missus: “I drilled into a pipe!”
Me: “Lovely.”
Missus: “It went in like butter!”
Me: “That’s what drills do sweetie.”
Balderdash! Another inconvenience. While water slowly leaked out of the wall I wondered if I should strangle her, or pat her gently on the head for at least trying. Ah, sweet duality. How you confound me. The first task was to smash open the dry wall surrounding the pipe. Fudgecicle, I don’t have a dry wall cutter.
Went to the neighbor next door who was amused and sympathetic to my plight. Picked up a reciprocating saw and duct tape.
I have never used a reciprocating saw. So that fucker was bouncing around initially pretty bad in the wall. Plus, reason kicked in. I didn’t need the saw. I got a hammer and a chisel. Popped out what I needed from the wall. The pipe the missus hit was the PVC drain pipe. And what a sweet and neat hole it was! Right dead smack in the centre. My girl is precise.
But because I cannot think logically, like, calling a plumber, panic, follow trade rules, or building code, I came up with a solution. I found an earplug in the basement. I then rushed upstairs, squeezed the earplug, inserted it into the hole.
The leak stopped. I let it sit there for a few minutes. Nothing. No leak. I then took duct tape and smothered the earplug as insurance that it will hold. 24 hours later, no leak. Eventually I’ll get it fixed for real.
Below is a photo of the final fixer-upper.
So, husbands and wives, if you ever manage to use a 1/4″ drill bit and penetrate a PVC pipe, use an earplug.
Love,
Christopher - Your friendly neighborhood handyman.
Oh yes, the closet shelving does look good. The hole adds a certain “je ne sais quois” yes?
Northern Kings - We Don’t Need Another Hero
Leave a Reply