Champion Is Now A Member of Certified Restoration Team!

Champion is excited to announce that we are now a member of Certified Restoration Team!

What Is Certified Restoration Team?

Certified Restoration Team is a group of contractors that have all been certified to properly restore properties after a water or fire loss.  Did you know that the vast majority of restoration contractors have never been certified and perform substandard work in homes and businesses around the country?  Unfortunately those property owners don’t realize until too late that they have gotten poor quality service.  This can lead to on-going damage, mold growth, bacterial amplification and a generally unhealthy structure.

You can do a lot to prevent these problems by hiring a certified firm.  All of the firms that are a part of Certified Restoration Team must prove their credentials and maintain their certification through Continuing Education.   You can choose a Certified Restoration Team member with confidence because they have the knowhow to fix your property right.

No Certified Restoration Team member pays to be a part of the team and they don’t pay for referrals.  We work cooperatively for the advancement of our industry and the betterment of our customers.  Please support our efforts by recommending CRT to your insurance agent or adjuster.  

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CERTIFIED RESTORATION TEAM

Gas Saving Tips

The topic of conversation around the "water cooler" is how expensive is gas going to get. We don't have much control over the price, but here are a few tips to help stretch every penny on the gas you do buy.

1. Don't accelerate quickly
2. Don't brake heavily

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Be Prepared for Hailstorms

Hailstorms are frequent occurrences across the U.S. Most hailstorms occur during either the spring or fall months, are very localized events, and don't cause extensive property damage. However, occasionally hailstones can reach about 1.5 inches in diameter. When this occurs, they can cause significant property damage to cars, windows and siding. When hailstones reach three inches in diameter, they can cause major roof damage.

How to Stay Safe

• Listen to weather updates about hail activity.


• Seek shelter immediately if you are caught outdoors - preferably not under a tree.


• Close drapes, blinds or window shades for protection

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What You Learn By Sitting By Brett...

Working in a common office with several cubicles is a rich pasture ground for any companies greatest resource: people. I sit next to Brett. Y'all may know Brett, but I'm the only one who sits next to his least favored left. Larry is down the hall to his right, and it's a very appropriate yelling distance. Anyway, sitting next to Brett these last 10 years, uh months, has provided opportunity for:
1) Introspection
2) Reevaluation
3) An occasional funny smell
Among other life shaping things learned:
a) Each and every phone conversation must start with "Hey" (This is southern posturing)
b) It's OK to tell your computer "I hate you" but only several times a day.
c) Xactimate has only 2 syllables (who knew?)
d) It's best if Larry locks his office door before going on vacation
e) If Itel samples are kept long enough, eventually another job will have the same floor covering
f) If he asks you if you've seen the pictures from one of his basement sewage mitigations...you might want to decline
g) All on call schedules are written in stone until the next revision
h) Never go an entire day without at least 1 "Dumb and Dumber" reference

All of this notwithstanding...he may have the most demanding job in this company-responding to emergency 24/7, and doing so in such a way homeowners still want us to do the reconstruction work. I get to follow up Brett and his crew and see the positive results when they help people out of a distressful situation. Maybe his personality makes him perfect for his job.

Actually I wondered how many acronyms on could get from the word B R E T T. Then I remembered I have to blog next month...let me get back to you with that.

Keith Barnhart - Estimator

Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 2  cups  thinly sliced onions or leeks


• 1  Tbsp.  olive oil


• 2  cups  milk


• 3  Tbsp.  all-purpose flour

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Resolving Customer Issues Successfully Requires a Plan

Good customer service is planned and not an accident.  While we work very hard to provide the highest level of customer service, there are still issues that arise that must be dealt with in any business.  In order to handle them well, you need a plan.

We call our plan WALRAS.  While it is not spelled like the animal ‘walrus’ it certainly sounds like ‘walrus’ and it’s a great memory aid.  WALRAS is the acronym for the plan.  If you follow WALRAS you greatly improve your chances of calming the emotions of the situation, logically discussing solutions and regaining a happy customer.

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Cooking and Kitchen Safety - Fire Prevention

We have had numerous kitchen fires to respond to. One in particular was extinguished rapidly by a fast thinking and fast acting young lady. She knew in advance what to do so when she had to she jumped into action saving the home from any major structural damage and herself from any harm.

I know that just reading the above may not help you so please read the below and visit the linked site so you too will be properly prepared:

Cooking Safety

Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is often the favorite place to be together. But many injuries can happen there. To stay safe when you are cooking and eating, here are some tips. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_cooking_w001.asp

Thanks, and stay safe!

Peter Kanavas - Contents Department Manager

Georgia Winter Weather Awareness Week: December 6-10, 2010

Winter storms are considered “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather? Here are a few tips.

• Monitor radio/TV or NOAA Weather Radio.


• Stay inside. Long exposure to cold increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.


• If you must go out, dress in layers.


• Avoid overexertion. The strain from the cold may cause a heart attack and sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.


• Keep your gas tank at least half full.


• Drive with caution and carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk.


• Have an alternative emergency heating source, such as a fireplace or wood stove. Use appropriate safeguards and have proper ventilation.


• Make sure your home is properly insulated.


• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers, cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture, let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing, and know how to shut off water valves.

Georgia Lightning Awareness Week June 20-26, 2010

Lightning kills more people in the United States every year than tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. In Georgia, lightning kills or injures several people every year. Lightning occurs mostly during the warmer months of June through September.

Lightning can also cause significant damage to personal and commercial property. In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. Below are some lightning safety tips for inside the home or business. We hope they help everyone stay safe during this year's storm season.

- Avoid contact with corded phones.

- Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.

- Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.

- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

As always, the Champion team is committed to doing everything in our power to continue to provide outstanding service during this year's storm season. If you have any questions please feel free to call our office at 770-253-6070.

LEARN ABOUT FREE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

Spring Cleaning

Spring is in the air! Trees are starting to bloom.....the sun is shining...and oh my! I need to do a spring cleaning! Right now is a good time to think about cleaning your area rugs, they need to be freshened up just like the rest of the house. Did you know that Champion has a special Area Rug Bath that is designed to professionally clean Area rugs?

We have recently added a new series of videos explaining the special process of cleaning area rugs. Please visit our site at www.championcleaningsystems.com
You can watch how the experts will take special care of your area rugs.

Linda Minardi - Cleaning Department Manager