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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Georgia Winter Weather Awareness Week November 16th - 20th, 2009

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?

- Monitor radio/TV or NOAA Weather Radio.

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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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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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Winter Fire Safety Quiz

1. Where do most fires start in the home?

A. The bedroom
B. The living room
C. The kitchen
D. The bathroom

The answer is C: 30% of house fires start in the kitchen.

2. In the United States, a home fire claims a life every _________.

A. 2 hours
B. 3 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours

The answer is B: In the United States, a home fire claims a life every 3 hours.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: Use a fire extinguisher if you have a grease fire on your stove.

The answer is FALSE: Never pour water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.

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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

Mission Accomplished

This past April, a large tree fell through the roof of a Coweta County family's residence causing major destruction to several rooms and two levels of their home.  Fortunately, the homeowner had a concerned and dedicated insurance agent from the community who was familiar with storm disasters.  She was immediately on the phone with us requesting emergency services for her insured.  Tarping of the property, the removal of contents and temporary placement of the insured were immediately handled.  Last month Champion's crew moved the homeowner back into their home which was restored to it's pre-disaster beauty!

For almost 40 years homeowners have experienced first-hand that contracting Champion as soon as possible after a disaster is the first step to a successful restoration.  We have always operated with the mission to provide the most outstanding service possible, never wavering or compromising our reputation.

Pamela Brown - Marketing Representative

Wee'r knot nown fur hour speling

Ok, here's the deal.  Champion is well known as one of the premier construction/restoration companies in the south Atlanta area.  But we're not the greatest spellers.  You see, I'm the Construction Manager here, but I have also been given the designation of "Job Processing Program Administrator".  Little did I know what that would involve. 

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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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