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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DKI Ranks #1 in Qualified Remodeler Magazine

Last month Qualified Remodeler released it's annual report of the Top 500 restoration companies in North America. DKI ranked #1.

You may wonder what DKI is and why we at Champion care. DKI, Disaster Kleenup International, is the largest network of restoration contractors. There are over 200 DKI member companies across the United States and Champion Construction Systems, Inc is one of them. Our combined resources include the biggest inventory of restoration equipment and over 5,000 restoration technicians.  So when you choose Champion, you are also choosing DKI.

Icela Reets, Emergency Response Program Director

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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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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Champion Employee News

Champion is pleased to announce the following employee news. As our company continues to grow so do our employees.

Congratulations to Nick Sharp. Nick has been with Champion in our cleaning department as a carpet cleaning technician for almost two years. He interviewed for the position of "Entry level Job Coordinator" in the Construction department and after meeting the qualifications has accepted the new responsibilities. Lisa Moore will be his direct supervisor and Larry Banach his manager. Nick is a conscientious person who excels in customer service.

We also welcome our newest employee, David Bunten. David will start this Thursday in our Cleaning department as a Carpet Cleaning Technician. David has previous experience in carpet cleaning and Mitigation in North Georgia with a well established company. He will be a positive addition to our cleaning department and Champion Cleaning. David will report to Linda Minardi and Jeremy Reets is his manager.

Gary Anderson - General Manager

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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Flooring - A Fair Price

One of the most commonly asked questions when someone has an insurance claim that involves flooring replacement is, "Will my adjuster allow me a fair value for my flooring replacement?"  In most instances, the homeowner does not have an invoice for the original installation of flooring with exact specifications. Even if he did, would it give an accurate picture of current prices for "like, kind and quality" materials?  For that reason, insurance adjusters often use an objective third-party expert to ensure that both the adjuster and the homeowner receive a fair settlement price for flooring replacement and that fair replacement products can be located.

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