Be Flood Ready This Spring!

Here are some basic steps to take to prepare for spring rains:

• Contact the local county geologist or county planning department to find out if your business is located in a flash-flood-prone area or landslide-prone area.


• Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.


• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your employees. Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.

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Know Your Water Damage Categories

Water damage is typically classified into one of the following three categories:

Category 1 Water - Refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "Clean Water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows or appliance malfunctions that involves water supply lines.

Category 2 Water - Refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when exposed or even consumed. Known as "Grey Water".

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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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Hands-On Wood Floor Drying for Water Damage Restoration CE Course# 34703

Today is our first hands on hardwood floor drying and restoration course in our new 1500 square foot flood house.  This is a house that we built on our premises just for training our employees, insurance professionals and other restoration contractors.  I am excited to make this week's presentation to a full class of 28 agents and adjusters from local agencies. 

Today hardwood flooring makes up 13% of all new flooring sales.  The ability to dry hardwood flooring effectively is one of the most important tasks that a restoration contractor needs to understand.    Yet, when these floors are affected by water damage they are almost always removed by restoration contractors.  We will demonstrate how Champion properly dries hardwood flooring saving our clients precious time and money.

This is a great opportunity for agents and adjusters to better understand how they can assist their clients when they suffer the effects of flooding and water damage by utilizing Champion's unique services .

Check the "Agent Area" on our web site to see when this and other Continuing Education courses will be offered again in the near future.

http://www.championcsi.com/agent-portal.php

 Jeremy Reets - C.E.O.