In Which Things Finally Happen!

Let’s hear it for getting things done just in the nick of time! Spray foam insulation has pretty specific temperatures at which it must be stored and applied. Based on the research Chris did for me (see previous post), we did learn that it’s possible to apply the insulation below the minimum temperature, but it is more complicated and less reliable. So it is really best to apply the insulation when the ambient temperature is still above 60-65°F. Thursday was going to be 65°, but the inspector wasn’t coming until Friday to approve the roughed in electric, so we were left with one more option: Saturday, which was likely the last 60°+ day of the year…just barely. So that was what happened!

That’s right. Nothing went wrong, and it was all very boring…KIDDING, of course. If you watch that timelapse video carefully, you will notice a point near the end after which everything moves much faster. That’s because the trigger on the spray gun of the first kit was BROKEN! Literally, the plastic was just snapped, so it would only release one of the chemicals at a time, which, of course, is a PROBLEM, because the whole reason this stuff works is by combining the two different chemicals!! But because we only had a limited amount of insulation, and it’s VERY expensive, I had to make due. I put a wrench across the two parts of the broken trigger and pulled on it (holding the wrench like bicycle handles), until the kit ran out and I could use the second one, with a fully functional trigger. My hands got very sore and I was very relieved when I was finally able to switch to the other kit!

Honestly, it was a small obstacle to deal with to get this done.

Chris Cutler: Underdog Pianos Research Specialist and President of the Moral Support Team.

Here’s what else happened this week! I came home from work on Friday, thinking I would get some work done on the ceiling insulation, and discovered that Chris had already done it for me! It was a very nice surprise. Because of the above-mentioned cost of the spray foam insulation, we also decided to do the last wall with Rockwool as well. I just finished that up this morning, so I could fully experience the insulating adventure.

And in case you were wondering, yes, I was using a bread knife to cut the insulation.

Here are some more photos/videos of our activities this week! It was a very exciting and productive few days, but I know you’re all just in this for pics of Oscar.

Someone was VERY upset that he wasn’t allowed to help Mom spray toxic chemicals everywhere…

“Wat’s goin’ on here?”

“I am not amused, human.”

All the insulations together in one place! Maine Winter, here I come…

That’s all ‘til next time!