Happy Water Damage Customer in Lithonia, GA

CHECK OUT THIS LETTER WE JUST GOT FROM A HAPPY CUSTOMER IN LITHONIA, GA

Last week I unfortunately suffered a 3 hour long sink overflow that resulted in water damage to my master bedroom bath, kitchen, dining room and guest bath.

Within 15 minutes of speaking with my home insurance company (Ameriprise), Ruben contacted me to let me know your company would be at my home within 90 minutes. Sure enough, Ruben and two young men arrived at my home like clockwork. They walked me through what your "drying"out process would be so that I would understand why they would need to take specific steps. This was very reassuring as I was actually in a stupor because I have never had to submit a claim of any kind for my home in the 20 years I have lived here. Ruben and the young men went about the job with care and concern.

The next day Ruben, Paul and Aaron arrived to continue the task of drying out the areas of my home where water intrusion was evident and not evident. I have two grand kids who have asthma so their efforts to ensure there was very limited potential for mold development certainly made me feel that I was in great hands. Over the next three days, Ruben, Paul and Aaron returned to continue the work of getting my home dried out. They took multiple readings to make certain they did not have to do anymore demolition than was necessary. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. Many companies would have come into my home and just torn up everything and left a mess. Ruben, Paul and Aaron were considerate of me and my family members throughout the process.

I have been singing praises for your company since the very first day Ruben and the crew showed up. I am letting my neighbors know (through our HOA newsletter) of the stellar service you all provide in case they ever need anyone for the type remediation service you render.

But I just wanted you to know that Ruben, Paul and Aaron are certainly an asset to your team and you can feel proud of the way they represent Champion!

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS!

GAWP 2013 Spring Conference & Expo

Champion is looking forward to attending the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Spring Conference and Expo on April 16th and 17th. Champion will have a booth at the trade show and we are looking forward to meeting all of the water industry professionals.

ABOUT THE GAWP: The Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) is a not-for-profit Association whose chief purpose is to educate and assist those who have an interest in the proper management and protection of Georgia's water resources. GAWP provides professional development and promotes sound public policy in the water resources and related environmental fields.

GAWP's membership is comprised of water and wastewater treatment plant operators and managers, municipal and industrial officials and environmental managers, civil and environmental engineers, scientists, manufacturers and their representatives, contractors, elected officials and other's concerned with Georgia's water resources. GAWP membership also consists of the professionals who implement State and Federal water supply, water protection and waterresource laws and regulations, and is a reliable source for information for the media and the public.

Champion's Weight Loss Challenge

Tomorrow is D- Day for Champion's Weight Loss Challenge and we are all very excited!

This is what Joel Reets, the owner of Champion, said about the reason he came up with this challenge: "The health of our employees is a top concern for our company. With rising health care costs and because we care for you I am proposing a contest to make us more healthy."

Here is how Champion's Weight Loss Challenge will work:

Starting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 and ending eight weeks later on June 4, 2013 everyone who loses 10 lbs. of weight will receive a prize of $50.00.

The person who loses the most weight will receive a total of $100.00!

“Weigh ins” will be conducted by Greg Ahlstrom for SAB and Paul Barish for NAB using the same scale in each place for everyone. The first weigh in will be on April 9 and progressive weigh ins will be conducted every two weeks until the final one on June 4. This obviously is a contest on a volunteer basis only, but we are hoping for good participation.

Check back tomorrow for our group starting weight and every 2 weeks we will post our progress.

How to Do Your Own Roof Inspection

State Farm recommends you conduct an annual inspection of your shingles, roof tiles, or other roofing materials for roof repairs, either yourself or with the help of an experienced roofer or roofing contractor. Watch this video to see what to look for.

Disaster Preparedness While Spring Cleaning

According to the pollen in the air, it is officially spring! For many that means spring cleaning. Ready GA recommends that you also tackle a few preparedness tasks while you have your house torn apart.

Here are a few easy but very important disaster preparedness ideas:

• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm
• Replace the batteries in your weather Radio
• Use your vacuum hose to remove lint from behind your dryer – this is a common fire hazard
• Purchase a waterproof plastic bin to keep family photos, important documents and other beloved mementos and store on the top shelf of a closet

READ MORE TIPS FROM READY GA

How to Clean Up After a Flood

Flooding can be very costly and dangerous to your health. How can you clean up after a flood and keep your family safe? The IICRC offers these tips to clean up after floods:

• Use caution when entering buildings. Make sure electrical power is off and the structure is sound before entering and inspecting a flooded building. Small animals or reptiles may also seek shelter inside a structure, so be cautious when repositioning contents or removing materials.
• Protect yourself. Wear an organic vapor respirator, available from paint or building supply stores, along with rubber gloves, eye protection and protective clothing. Ventilate affected areas by opening windows, and eventually, by placing a fan in a window. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.
• Know what items to throw away. Porous items that absorb contaminated flood water shouldn't be restored. Drywall, carpet and pad, mattresses, pillows, box springs and particle board normally should be discarded if wet.
• Prevent mold growth. Although it takes a few days to appear, mold thrives in a moist environment with organic material (e.g., paper or particle board), and temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. Keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures as possible.
• Dry out before you rebuild. To prevent dry rot and on-going structural damage, don't reconstruct or cover wood materials until its moisture content falls below 16 percent. Moisture meters are available online, but it may be best to hire a water restoration professional to confirm proper drying before reconstruction.
• Consider hiring a professional. A professional water damage restoration company has trained technicians, specialized cleaners and antimicrobial agents, and extraction, drying, dehumidifying and moisture measuring equipment.

READ MORE FLOOD CLEAN UP TIPS FROM THE IICRC

Water Heater Leak Prevention

The average life span of a water heater is 11 years. Studies show that 3/4 of all water heaters fail before they are 12 years old. How can you maintain your water heater to prevent water leaks and keep you from having to take cold showers?

• Flush your water heater tank every 6 months. Build-up of sediment and hard water deposits can reduce the efficiency of your system. Call a professional if you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself.
• Have the anode rod in your tank changed every 2 years and annually after the warranty expires. This rod helps reduce the corrosion that takes place in your tank.
• Keep your hot water heater clean and protected. Cover it with a special insulated blanket to increase its efficiency.
• Check the top vents to make sure they are free of obstructions.
• If the water heater has shut-off and drain valves, make sure they open and close easily.

Metro Atlanta Events for April 2013

April 2nd - 7th: Mary Poppins at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta

April 6th: Shaq's All Star Comedy Jam at Symphony Hall Atlanta

April 18th: Taylor Swift: The Red Tour at Philips Arena in Atlanta

April 22nd: Rihanna Diamonds World Tour at Philips Arena in Atlanta

April 26th: Alan Jackson at Chastain Park Ampitheatre in Atlanta

April 27th: Barry Manilow: Manilow on Broadway at the Arena at Gwinnett Center

April 30th: Jimmy Buffett at Aaron's Ampitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta

What Should I Know About Sewage Backup?

We often get calls from homeowners after they have had a sewer damage asking if we can come an "clean the carpet". Worse yet, we go out to a home that has had a sewer damage to find the kids running around barefooted and the parents thinking nothing of it.

Many people don't realize that sewage is one of the most dangerous substances to enter homes or buildings. It contains fungi, bacteria and viruses, many of which are disease-causing. This is especially true for the very young or very old, or for those with compromised immune systems or respiratory problems.

The IICRC complied guidelines for professional sewage clean-up called the Standard for Water Damage Restoration (S500).

Here are the key principles from the IICRC homeowners should know about sewage back-ups:

• Sewage contains a variety of pathogenic – disease causing – fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Anyone who works on sewage losses must have updated vaccinations, including one for Hepatitis B.
• Sewage exposure is particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, including anyone under two or over 60, those who are pregnant, ill, recovering from surgery, on prescription drugs or chemotherapy, or are AIDS victims.
• It is not safe to stay in a building that’s flooded with sewage unless the contaminated area can be completely sealed off and placed under controlled air flow so that there will be no cross contamination of unaffected areas.
• Highly absorbent sewage - saturated materials, such as carpet, pad, upholstery, bedding, wicker, paper or even fabrics that can’t be washed in hot water (130°F/54°C) for at least 10 minutes, must be contained and disposed of properly. This goes for sewage-saturated drywall, insulation and several other structural materials too. There’s simply too great a health risk involved if any of these materials are dried in place and cleaned only.
• Only the most highly trained professionals should attempt sewage remediation work. Then, a “third party” indoor environmental professional can provide post-remediation verification or “clearance testing” to ensure that the home or building is safe to re-occupy.

Why Choose an IICRC Certified Professional?

Professional restoration technicians understand the need for quick response. Immediate remediation is key to controlling any escalating costs. The longer the remediation is delayed, the higher the cost of restoration. Certified restorers have the knowledge to test materials and apply the restoration techniques required to return the items to their pre-loss condition. Look for the cleantrust logo to verify IICRC certification.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES USING AN IICRC CERTIFIED FIRM BRING TO YOU?

IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the cleantrust logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:

1. Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
2. Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
3. Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
4. Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
5. Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC actively has relationships with fiber producers, carpet and fabric mills, furnishing manufacturers and retailers, and others affiliated with the industry. The use of cleantrust service professionals is specified in leading manufacturers’ maintenance brochures and warranties.