Pro tip: always check the attic before you drill

I was on a job in a 1950s house in Portland last week, running a new line to a bedroom. I went to drill through the top plate from the attic, but my bit hit something solid and stopped dead. I pulled it out and saw metal shavings. I had drilled straight into an old, unmarked electrical conduit. The homeowner freaked out when I told them, but I shut off the main breaker, called an electrician buddy, and we got it patched up in an hour. It cost me $200 for his help, but it could have been way worse. What's the weirdest thing you've hit up there that wasn't on the plans?

2 comments

2 Comments

williams.amy1mo ago

Plans are for people who like boring surprises.

coleman.jade1mo ago

Good plans leave room for fun surprises, @williams.amy. They just keep the stressful ones away.