First In Restoration recently serviced a large account that had sustained water damage. During the cleanup process we discovered the presence of asbestos.

That’s a game changer.

What steps do you take when asbestos is discovered during a restoration project?

You probably think the property must have been from the early 1900s, but that wasn’t the case at all. Many people assume asbestos is only a concern in very old buildings, but asbestos-containing materials can still turn up in properties and construction products today.

Federal regulations have prohibited or phased out many uses of asbestos in the United States, but that does not mean every material currently found in a building is guaranteed to be asbestos-free. Imported products can also create concerns, particularly from countries where asbestos is still used in manufacturing.

Asbestos exposure can have serious long-term health consequences. When asbestos fibers are airborne and inhaled, they can damage lungs and increase the risk of disease including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These illnesses may not appear until decades after exposure, which is why asbestos should always be taken seriously.

But you probably wonder: “What do I do if I find asbestos?”

If you discover asbestos in your home or business, here are some guidelines to follow. Most importantly, do not try to remove it yourself. Asbestos should be handled by trained and certified professional. Attempting to disturb or remove it on your own could put you, your family, pets, employees or others in the building at risk.

You may ask, “Is asbestos dangerous if left undisturbed?” Stop all work immediately. Pause your renovation, demolition, cleanup and repair. If you disturb the asbestos, you may unwillingly release dangerous, carcinogenic fibers into the air.

Restrict access to the area. Keep your family members, pets, tenants, employees and contractors away from the area until the material is assessed. Don’t touch or move the material.

That means no sweeping, scraping, vacuuming or bagging it. Leave it alone. Let the experts use the proper equipment to remove it.

Get a licensed asbestos inspector involved. They can determine if the material contains asbestos, evaluate its condition and determine a plan of action.

Get the assessment in writing. Make sure the inspector details whether there is asbestos present and what condition it is in, then get the suggested plan of removal and hire a professional to remediate.

If the asbestos was discovered after a covered event, like a fire, storm or water damage, the remediation process may be reimbursable. You’ll need to contact your insurance provider.

Maintain all your records. You’ll want to keep them handy for any future disclosure. Save inspection reports, contractor licenses, abatement documentation, and disposal manifests. These protect you during future sales or tenant turnover.

Hopefully you’ll never have to deal with this problem, but if it occurs, you’ll want to be safe. Asbestos is serious stuff and can’t be ignored. Just deal with it the proper way.

Do you suspect asbestos may be present in your home or business? First In Restoration can help coordinate testing with trusted professionals and connect you with experienced asbestos remediation partners when needed. Once the property is cleared, our team can handle the reconstruction and help get your home or business back to normal.

Call First In Restoration at 678-483-7284 to get started.

A hard rain can tell you a lot about your house. So, is your Georgia home ready for heavy rain?

Gutters overflow. Water collects around the foundation. A roof leak suddenly shows up. A crawlspace gets wet. Water finds its way through a window or door… before now it’s never been an issue.

Most of the time, the rain is not the entire problem, but it exposes something that was already there.

When it rains, the water needs somewhere to go.

If your gutters are clogged, they can send water over the edge of the roof instead of through the downspouts. Downspouts that empty right beside the house can dump gallons of water against the foundation. Low areas in the yard can hold water instead of carrying it away.

Inspect your property thoroughly during or right after a good rain. Is water flowing away from the house or is it collecting beside it and pooling up?

Other things to check include your roof. Roofs do not always have to be visibly damaged to leak. Loose flashing, worn seals, damaged shingles and small openings around roof penetrations can let water in during periods of heavy rain in Georgia.

The first sign may not be water dripping from the ceiling. It may be a stain in the attic, damp insulation, bubbling paint or a musty smell that shows up a few days later.

Heavy rain can also create problems around crawlspaces, basement walls, windows, doors and exterior drains.

If you see standing water where you normally do not, damp building materials, staining or moisture coming through a wall, don’t assume it will just dry on its own. Moisture left behind can also create conditions for mold growth.

You can’t control the weather, but you can pay attention to how your property handles it. These small warning signs are much easier to deal with before they turn into a full water loss.

If heavy rain leaves water inside your home or business, First In Restoration can help locate the affected areas, remove the water and properly dry the structure.

When disaster strikes, call First In Restoration at 678-483-7284.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: First In Restoration Opens Loganville Office

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — First In Restoration has opened an office at 3785 Harrison Road, Suite 100, Loganville, GA 30052, marking another step in the restoration company’s continued growth.

The location will serve as the company’s headquarters and support its growing team and operations as First In Restoration continues to expand its residential, commercial and large-loss restoration services throughout Georgia.

“First In Restoration has grown tremendously since we started, and this is a milestone we’re proud of,” owner David King said. “We’ve built this company by taking care of people, doing good work and earning trust. This gives us a place to continue building on that.”

First In Restoration provides 24/7 emergency response for water, fire, mold, storm and sewage damage, along with reconstruction, commercial restoration and large-loss services.

The approximately 1,700-square-foot Loganville headquarters includes office and meeting space, reception and two bay doors to support the company’s equipment, team and day-to-day restoration operations.

ABOUT FIRST IN RESTORATION

First In Restoration was founded by owner David King, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Loganville resident. The company serves residential, commercial and multi-family properties throughout Georgia.

First In Restoration is an IICRC-Certified Firm with certifications in Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation, Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration, Odor Control, Health and Safety and Trauma and Crime Scene.

The company is a member of the Restoration Industry Association, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Club and Georgia Public Risk Management Association and is NetVendor compliant.

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For more information, contact First In Restoration at:

First In Restoration
3785 Harrison Road, Suite 100
Loganville, GA 30052
(678) 483-7284
FirstInRestoration.com

Download a printable copy here: Press Release

September is National Preparedness Month, and is a good reminder that the best time to prepare for property damage is before it even happens.

Storms, burst pipes, fires and other emergencies do not give much warning. Having a plan in place can help you act quickly and potentially limit the damage to your home or business.

Start with the basics. Know where your main water shutoff is (check out our YouTube video on this) and make sure your family or roommates also know (just in case you’re not home). A broken pipe or supply line can release a lot of water VERY quickly, and shutting off the source can make a big difference because water is extremely destructive.

It is also a good time to walk around your property and look for problems before they turn into emergencies. Check for leaks under sinks, around and behind appliances and near your water heater. Clean out gutters, make sure water drains away from the building and pay attention to water stains, bubbling paint or musty odors.

You should also take photos or video of your home, business and major belongings before a loss occurs. If you ever need to file an insurance claim, having a record of what was there before the damage can be helpful.

“Preparedness does not have to be complicated,” said David King, owner of First In Restoration. “Knowing where your shutoff is, keeping an eye out for problems and having a plan can save you a lot of trouble when something goes wrong.”

Of course, not every emergency can be prevented. When water, fire, mold, storm or other property damage does happen, acting quickly is important.

First In Restoration provides emergency restoration services for homeowners, businesses and property managers throughout Northeast Georgia and the Atlanta area.

When disaster strikes, call First In Restoration at 678-483-7284.