Author
Zach Reets
Owner & President
Zach Reets writes for the Champion Cleaning Systems blog. Full profile coming soon.
Articles by Zach Reets
57 articles
How Fall Gutter Maintenance Makes a Difference
Clogged gutters send rainwater straight to your foundation. Here is how fall gutter cleaning prevents flooded basements, cracked foundations, rot, and mold.
What To Expect When Filing an Insurance Claim
Filing a home insurance claim after water or fire damage? Here is what to expect, from the first photos to the adjuster visit, and why to call us first.
Understanding Water Damage: Categories and Classes
Not all water damage is the same. Here is how the IICRC categories and classes we use on every water loss decide the drying plan, the equipment, and the risk.
Why DIY Water Damage Restoration Costs You More in the Long Run
Water damage is the one project where doing it yourself usually costs more. Here is what a mop and a box fan miss, and why the bill three weeks later is bigger than the one you avoided.
How to Pay for Water or Fire Damage Restoration: Insurance, Self-Pay, or Financing
Insurance claim, self-pay, or financing? Here is how we help you decide which one actually makes sense for your damage, including the costs beyond cleanup that most homeowners do not see coming.
Summer Surge: The Outdoor Spigot That Floods Your Walls
Your outdoor hose spigot sat unused all winter. If it cracked in a freeze, you will not find out until the first hot day you turn it on, and by then the water is already inside your walls.
Clogged HVAC Condensation Line = Water Damage Waiting To Happen
One of the most common causes of indoor water damage is completely silent: a clogged HVAC condensation line. When this small pipe backs up, your AC can spill gallons a day into your ceilings, walls, and floors. Here's how it happens, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do.
The Hidden Threat in Your Home: How Water Heaters Cause Major Damage
Your water heater works quietly every day—until it fails. When it does, it can release dozens of gallons into your home in minutes. Here's how these everyday appliances cause major damage, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do if one leaks.
Mold in Your Home: What Not to Do
Found mold? Your first instinct could make it worse. Learn the five biggest mistakes homeowners make when dealing with mold and what to do instead.
The Hidden Dangers of Smoke Damage and How to Remove It
Smoke damage goes far beyond what you can see. Learn about the health risks of soot and smoke residue and why professional removal is essential.
Will Insurance Cover My Water Damage? A Georgia Homeowners Guide
Not all water damage is covered by homeowners insurance. Learn what Georgia policies typically cover, common claim mistakes, and how to maximize your payout.
Summer Candle Fire Risks Every Homeowner Should Know
Candles cause thousands of house fires every year, and summer is peak season for outdoor and decorative candle use. Learn how to enjoy candles safely.
Is Your Electrical Setup Summer-Ready?
Summer electrical demand spikes with AC, pool pumps, and outdoor events. Learn how to prevent electrical fires in your Atlanta-area home this summer.
Room-by-Room Fire Safety Guide for Your Home
Every room in your home has unique fire risks. From kitchen grease to bedroom candles, learn room-by-room fire prevention tips for Atlanta homeowners.
Water Heater Warning Signs and What to Do When It Bursts
Your water heater could be the biggest hidden flood risk in your home. Learn the 5 warning signs of failure and what to do if it bursts.
When to Call a Professional Restoration Company: Signs and Timing
Not every water issue needs a pro, but many do. Learn the signs that your water or fire damage requires professional restoration, and why timing matters.
What to Do After a Fire: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A house fire is devastating. Follow this step-by-step guide from Atlanta's trusted restoration experts to stay safe, file your claim, and restore your home.
The Hidden Fire Hazard in Your Laundry Room
Dryer lint fires cause 2,900 house fires annually. Learn why your laundry room is one of the most dangerous rooms in your home and how to prevent fires.
Home Maintenance and Insurance: How Neglect Can Cost You Coverage
Your insurance company can deny water damage claims if they determine the damage resulted from neglected maintenance. Learn how to protect your coverage.
Fire Damage Restoration: Why Professional Cleanup Matters
Fire damage restoration requires professional expertise, equipment, and insurance coordination. Learn the step-by-step process and what to look for in a company.
DIY vs Professional Restoration: Why Experts Always Win
Thinking about cleaning up water or fire damage yourself? Here's why DIY restoration costs more in the long run and when to call the professionals.
Spring Storm Preparedness: Protect Your Atlanta Home from Flooding
Spring storms in Georgia bring heavy rain and flash flooding. Learn the exterior and interior steps to protect your home and what to do if flooding occurs.
Sewage Backup: How Dangerous Is It and What to Do
A sewage backup is a health emergency, not just a mess. Learn the dangers of raw sewage in your home and the steps to take immediately after a backup.
How to Spot Water Damage During Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to inspect your home for hidden water damage. Here's a room-by-room guide for Atlanta homeowners.
Spring Water Damage Prevention: Gutters, Grading, and More
Spring rains test every weakness in your home's defenses. Learn the essential prevention steps Atlanta homeowners should take before the rainy season hits.
How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage When Leaving Town
Leaving for vacation? These pre-trip steps prevent the flooding disasters that happen when nobody is home to catch a leak.
Septic System Maintenance: How Often and Why It Matters
Neglected septic systems cause sewage backups and costly property damage. Learn how often to pump your tank and the warning signs of septic failure.
Why IICRC-Certified Professional Restoration Beats DIY
IICRC certification is the gold standard in restoration. Learn what it means, why it matters for your insurance claim, and how it protects your home.
Common Causes of House Fires in Fall and Winter
Heating equipment, holiday decorations, and cooking are the top causes of fall and winter house fires. Learn how to protect your Atlanta-area home this season.
Winter Emergency Preparedness Kit for Atlanta Homeowners
Build a winter emergency kit for your Atlanta-area home. From power outages to burst pipes, here's everything you need to be prepared for Georgia's winter storms.
How to Check Your Gutters Before Winter
Clogged or damaged gutters cause ice dams, foundation leaks, and water damage. Here's how Atlanta homeowners should inspect and prepare gutters before winter.
How to Safely Use Space Heaters in Winter
Space heaters cause over 1,700 house fires per year. Learn the essential safety rules every Atlanta homeowner should follow to stay warm without the risk.
Protecting Your Atlanta Home from Burst Pipes in Freezing Temperatures
Burst pipes cause thousands in damage every winter. Learn how Atlanta-area homeowners can prevent frozen pipes and what to do when one bursts.
Why HVAC Maintenance Is Critical for Winter Fire Safety
Your HVAC system is a hidden fire risk in winter. Learn why annual maintenance prevents furnace fires and how neglected systems put your home at risk.
Winterizing Your Outdoor Plumbing: Complete Guide
Outdoor pipes, hose bibs, and irrigation systems are the first to freeze. Here's how to winterize your outdoor plumbing before Georgia's cold snaps hit.
Preparing for Freezing Temperatures in Georgia
Georgia's occasional freezes catch homeowners off guard. Learn how to prepare your home for freezing temperatures and prevent costly cold-weather damage.
What to Do If a Pipe Bursts in Your Home
A burst pipe can flood your home in minutes. Here's the step-by-step emergency response every Atlanta homeowner should know.
Fire Safety Tips for Cozy Fall Nights
Fall evenings bring fireplaces, candles, and space heaters. Learn the fire safety essentials every Atlanta homeowner needs for a safe autumn season.
Preparing Your Home for Fall: Tips to Prevent Water Damage
Fall is the time to prepare your home for winter rains and freezing temperatures. These prevention steps protect against the water damage that hits hardest in cold months.
Understanding Water Damage Insurance Claims in Georgia
Water damage claims are the most common and most disputed homeowner's insurance claims. Learn how the process works and how to protect your payout.
How Seasonal Changes Affect Roof and Pipe Leaks
Georgia's temperature swings stress roofs and plumbing year-round. Learn how each season creates different leak risks and what to watch for.
Hidden Water Damage: Signs You Are Ignoring and Why They Matter
Water damage often hides behind walls, under floors, and in crawl spaces. Learn the warning signs Atlanta homeowners miss and why ignoring them is costly.
The Importance of Professional Smoke Odor Removal
Smoke odor lingers for months after a fire if not professionally treated. Learn why DIY methods fail and how professional odor removal works.
Commercial Water and Fire Damage: Protecting Your Business
Water and fire damage cost businesses thousands in lost revenue every day. Learn how to protect your commercial property and minimize downtime after disaster.
How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage This Storm Season
Hurricane season brings flooding, wind damage, and roof leaks to Georgia homes. Learn how to prepare your home and what to do when storm damage strikes.
The Role of Professional Drying Equipment in Water Mitigation
Household fans cannot dry a flooded home. Learn how commercial extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers prevent mold and save your home after water damage.
Why Choose Champion for Water and Fire Restoration
With 50+ years in metro Atlanta, IICRC certification, and 24/7 response, Champion Cleaning Systems is the restoration company Georgia homeowners trust.
How Water Damage Affects Different Types of Flooring and Walls
Hardwood, carpet, tile, laminate, and drywall all react differently to water damage. Learn what can be saved, what must be replaced, and why timing matters.
The Importance of Timely Fire Damage Assessment and Restoration
Fire damage worsens by the hour even after flames are out. Learn why immediate professional assessment and restoration protects your home and your insurance claim.
Water Damage Restoration in Atlanta: What Homeowners Need to Know
Water damage restoration is a race against time. Learn how professional restoration works, what to expect, and why Atlanta homeowners trust Champion.
How to Choose the Right Fire Restoration Company
Choosing the wrong fire restoration company can cost you thousands. Learn what certifications, response times, and qualities to look for after a fire.
Summer Water Damage from Broken Outdoor Hose Bibs
Outdoor hose bibs fail more often in summer than any other season. Learn how to spot problems before a cracked fitting floods your home through the wall.
Protect Your Home from HVAC Leak Water Damage This Summer
Your air conditioner produces gallons of condensation daily. When the drain line clogs, that water floods your home. Learn how to prevent HVAC water damage.
The Anatomy of Water Damage: How It Spreads Through Your Home
Water damage is not just a wet floor. Learn how water migrates through walls, floors, and ceilings, and why visible damage is only a fraction of the problem.
Champion Cleaning Systems: Our Core Values
Since 1970, Champion Cleaning Systems has built its reputation on integrity, expertise, and community service. Learn what drives our restoration team every day.
Roof Leak Mold Remediation: What Atlanta Homeowners Need to Know
A roof leak creates the perfect conditions for mold in your attic and walls. Learn how mold develops from roof leaks and why professional remediation is essential.
Complete Guide to Sewage Cleanup in Atlanta
Sewage backups are a health emergency requiring professional cleanup. Learn what causes sewage backups in Atlanta homes and how Champion handles remediation.