Safety Is No Accident: 7 Questions with @1806StoneHouse
June is National Safety Month. This annual observance, which brings national attention to accident prevention, is sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC) a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). During National Safety Month, NSC helps Americans to prevent injuries & accidental deaths by calling attention to common safety & health risks.
Killarney Metals holds safety in the highest regard & observes National Safety Month 2019 in this exclusive interview conducted with Lucas Manning of @1806StoneHouse on youtube. Lucas & family purchased a 200+ year old farmhouse in Upstate New York for total rehab in December 2017. Weekly remodeling progress videos are posted with current views over 560,000.
KM Q1:
The @1806StoneHouse youtube description states your farmhouse rehab goals are to: -Restore its beauty -Make it more efficient -Stay married -Make sure this home lasts another 200 years! -Make it a beautiful, SAFE home for the family Well said. Killarney Metals wants to know, what does “SAFE” mean to your family?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A1:
There are a couple different aspects to a safe house. First is the structural integrity. Something that keeps out the weather & provides a clean living environment. For example a good roof, sealed windows, & adequate insulation for our very cold climate. Another aspect of safety is more mechanical. Updated electrical wiring & plumbing is very important to us. Thinking about things that could go wrong & planning accordingly has directed many of our decisions.
KM Q2:
Any particularly "SAFE" project that you are especially proud of?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A2:
The whole house has been greatly improved really! All new electrical, plumbing, new efficient boiler for heat & water, fire retardant insulation, & adding multiple supports in the basement. The list goes on & on for improvements that I’m very happy about. I’m installing the laundry room on the second story of the house - so adding the Killarney Metals galvanized washer floor tray is particularly important. It’s hopefully something that will never need to be used, but will save the house from water damage if disaster strikes. Wired smoke & carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house also give the same peace of mind & security in the event of catastrophe.
KM Q3:
What have been some of the larger SAFETY scares/concerns so far in the 1806 Stone House rehab?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A3:
Considering the house is over 200 years old we have been fortunate to not have any huge scares. We found a roof leak during demolition that caused some issues. We are thankful it was found before we began the rebuilding process. Also, rain/groundwater used to flow into the basement like a river. We dug a French drain by hand around the house to divert the water away from the basement. It has proven to be very effective.
KM Q4:
What is still left to complete? Anything that keeps you up at night in terms of safety?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A4:
The house has a long way to go. We have a couple years to go on the stone side still & then we plan on re-doing the “apartment side” next. We don’t yet know what we will find there. In addition to the house, we need to replace the roof on the barn on the property. It wasn’t built with enough support for the snow that accumulates on it. So much to do!
KM Q5:
What safety precautions do you take when working at 1806 Stone House?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A5:
High quality respirators & eye protection are important for any work site but especially when renovating an old home. I contact my local code enforcement & inspectors as I begin new projects to ensure I am in compliance. In two years of this renovation, I’ve had zero injuries. I also try to keep the work-site clean & organized. I frequently dedicate an entire day of work for cleaning. Clearing the mess helps clear my mind & allows me to focus on the job more effectively.
KM Q6:
Where/how did you learn your ON camera & editing skills? Rehab/remodeling skills?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A6:
My older videos are not great honestly, but I really enjoy the editing process. I have learned a lot by creating at least one video a week for over two years! I also learn by watching other people’s videos. It’s challenging to tell a story through the lens of a camera. I often have to make a video showing the process of long & tedious job, “enjoyable” to watch. For most edits I start with 12 hours of raw footage & edit it down to show what was accomplished each weekend in a 15 min video. The power of EDITING is really the magic… I just always try to stay positive & the camera keeps me honest & detailed. It’s like having 1000 people watching over your shoulder. That’s the perfect type of motivation. Plus,I do a lot of research before beginning each project by consulting professionals, reading books,etc. Learning by doing & making a few mistakes along the way...
KM Q7:
What happens when HGTV shows up & wants to make YOUR journey THEIR next show?
Lucas @1806StoneHouse A7:
Well, I’d probably tell them to take a hike! Haha! I don’t really enjoy the HGTV remodel shows very much. It’s usually not a very good representation of what a renovation is REALLY LIKE! I dislike the fake drama & it also makes it look easy. It’s not. It’s very expensive & very time consuming. Lucky for me, I don’t think HGTV is going to be contacting us any time soon. :)
Lucky for us, we all can continue to follow Lucas & the 1806 Stone House Project on youtube & Instagram > @1806StoneHouse. Killarney Metals has the capability to serve your safety needs with the highest quality, made in the USA, spill containment & material handling parts in the market - all complete with our No Leak Guarantee. This June during National Safety Month, make a conscious decision to better the safety in your workplace, your community, & your home. Identifying risks protects everyone. Visit the National Safety Council website for tips & resources & observe #NationalSafetyMonth by getting involved!