Champion is Fast and Committed When It Comes to Flooding

Flooding can happen almost anywhere it rains. In fact, floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S. We at Champion have been committed to serving the Atlanta area since 1970 as a trusted restoration company in the industry. We understand water damage is an emergency, this is why technicians are dispatched within minutes to the loss. The property's successful restoration depends largely on receiving immediate response, and the fastest drying possible. Champion has crews on-call 24/7, 365 a days. Our combination of an immediate response and leading edge technology returns the damage property back to normal faster than the traditional drying methods. It also substantially lowers the repair cost and time. After nearly 40 years of water removal, we are committed to the same outstanding service!

Pamela Brown - Marketing Representative

How Do I Know If I Have Hail Damage?

I can’t tell you how many times over the past few months I’ve heard that question. With recent strong thunderstorms and associated hail, our area has certainly received more than its fair share of damage, as evidenced by all of the vehicles parading around the streets advertising first one roofer then another. Many of such roofing contractors are referred to in the industry as “storm chasers”. Hail storms are closely followed by their swarm of vehicles, eagerly anticipating a quick surge of easy money. After the initial rush of activity, they disappear as quickly as they came… on to the next affected area. They leave behind them a plethora of customers who have no one to turn to when warranty issues arise. The responsibility, and the financial cost, are then up to the homeowners themselves. I’ve see this happen time and again to families in our coverage area. Alas, I digress. Back to our original question.

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Tips for Keeping Water Out of Your Basement

During the cleanup effort following all of the flooding that occurred in the Atlanta area caused by the heavy rains that occurred last month, I learned something new.  There are a lot of people that have leaky basements.  In some cases these basements have leaked for years.  I want to first explain the concept of a basement and then share a couple of simple ideas that can help to reduce moisture intrusion into your basement.

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Helping Atlanta Flood Victims--A Personal Perspective

The recent disastrous floods affecting many parts of Georgia has truly been an eye-opening experience. As a company that deals with insurance claims, it was astounding to see how many homeowners were blindsided by the lack of flood insurance coverage in their policies. I can only imagine how devastated and helpless these individuals felt when presented with the loss of material possessions and possible displacement from their homes without any money to pay for restoration or replacement. Many Champion employees, including the owner’s group, have had the opportunity to help some of the victims of this disaster by volunteering time on the weekends for the past month to help organize efforts getting victims governmental assistance as well as lending storm damage expertise, experience and equipment in quickly drying out the structures of homes in the Douglasville, Stone Mountain, Decatur and surrounding Metro-Atlanta areas. I have had the pleasure of helping with this relief effort and it gives me a sense of accomplishment to be able to help those in need. When catastrophic things happen, we have the tendency to feel helpless. We want to do something, but we don’t know what or how. Now, on the weekends, I know that I am going to go to someone’s home, hear their story and sympathize with them. But I also know that I can help them do something about it because I’m going to assess the damage, mark it for demolition, sanitize it and set equipment so that the first phase to restoration will be put in motion. And that, readers, is far more satisfying than any paycheck could ever be. Chloe L. Hudson-Senior Contents Technician

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Helpful Websites for Atlanta Flood Victims

      I thought I'd post some helpful websites that will help any that were affected by the recent Georgia flooding. "Take Charge of Your Recovery" www.wsbtv.com/news/21158767/detail.html "Federal Aid Programs" www.wsbtv.com/news/21106852/detail.html "Clark Howard: What Does Flood Insurance Cover?" www.wsbtv.com/money/21105951/detail.html The National Flood Insurance Program: www.fema.gov/business/nfip Standard Flood Insurance Policy: www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/dp126.pdf Loans Offered to Flood Victims: www.wsbtv.com/news/21148766/detail.html And some helpful government websites: www.disasterassistance.gov www.floodsmart.gov Larry Banach - Construction Manager

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Water Damaged Furniture?

With the recent catastrophe that has hit the Greater Atlanta Area, it has undoubtedly left some with furniture that they just could not bring themselves to throw away. Any item in question would need to be dried as soon as possible assessing items that are upholstered to see if they could be stripped down to the items skeleton to accommodate the drying process. Once dried the extent of damage will be evident. If there are areas of splitting or cracking it would be recommended to have the item professionally evaluated.  The following link is for a company that I would recommend to anyone: www.furniture-clinic.com. The item should be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water and dried immediately with a clean towel. Evaluate to verify the presence of any water staining or clouding. There are many manufacturers who have products for water staining, i.e. Gaurdsman, Murphy's Oil Soap, or Old English. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area to observe the effect on the finish and color. Any item in need of reupholstering could also be assessed by The Furniture Clinic. www.furniture-clinic.com

Peter Kanavas - Contents Supervisor

BE PREPARED FOR THE PEAK OF HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricanes in Georgia?  Yes! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Georgia is at particular risk of being affected by hurricanes because it is a coastal state.  The hurricanes that affect Georgia are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st until November 30th, but the majority of activity is from August until October.  Therefore, every state resident should plan what to do in the event of an evacuation.

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Pack-Out? Huh?

When a customer is told that their house is going to be packed out, sometimes what they envision is not an accurate depiction of what actually takes place. So, just to offer a bit of clarity, here is a general explanation of what to expect:

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What's Your Emergency Response Plan?

During these distressing economic times, many of us have found ourselves going back to the basics. Some have done this as a precaution while it has been downright necessary for others. We find ourselves asking, is this a necessary expense? And, what changes can I make today, to make my business stronger tomorrow? The result is that we cut back and are left with the core basics that really matter.

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DO IT YOURSELFERS...BEWARE!

With many families looking for ways in which to save money this summer, the number of people attempting DIY projects in their homes has increased.  While this maybe great for your wallet, it may not be so great for your health or for your home.  So before you start that project please read these tips:

• Get advice before you start – most home improvement stores offer helpful brochures on common projects

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