SOS WILL GIVE BACK TO LOCAL CHARITIES WITH YOUR SUPPORT

There is nothing more important than for each of us to be of service and to make a difference in the betterment of the lives of others. SOS has made a commitment to donate to a charitable organization with each completed repair project as a way to show our gratitude for the support and trust placed in our Contractor Referral Network. SOS is dedicated to protecting your property in the event it sustains damage and wants you to have a resource to draw from for hiring reputable contractors. (Visit Our Website at SOS-CRNetwork.com).  SOS is also committed to protecting children who can’t do so for themselves.

 One of SOS’ Service Professionals, having served as a volunteer for “CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates” for 8-years, shares her story. CASA encompasses 933 programs made up of volunteers that become the voice for abused and neglected children within the court system.

“I became a CASA in 2004 after I filed for divorce. I was missing out on the joy that being a step-mother had brought me. I had made a difficult choice to sever ties with them in order to protect them. As a result, I felt unfulfilled in no longer being a part of my step-children’s lives or being part of their support system.

After my separation, I felt an overall emptiness and that my life lacked purpose. When a friend told me about the CASA Program, I realized I could shift the focus from my own personal woes and could be a positive support to a child in need. This was the beginning of me finding my way back to finding my own personal happiness and fulfilment.  After completion of CASA’s training program, I was assigned to a case with an 8-year old African American boy who became a joyful force in my life from the moment I met him. A year later, I also requested to be assigned to his sister’s case because I recognized the difficulty she was having given their situation.

I was amazed at how different these 2-children were and I became witness to how they dealt with their day-to-day struggles so differently. They had been taken away from their home and parents and were growing up in different homes away from one another. Often, they shared bedrooms with children who rotated in and out of their lives on a regular basis, some who had better and sometimes worse stories than theirs to share. They had to deal with trying to learn to trust the various foster parents and volunteers who were merely strangers that frequently migrated in and out of their lives while coping with the disappointment of missed visits from their parents or having limited time with their parents because of their poor choices in not putting the interests of their children before their own. Amidst their struggles, we shared a lot of laugher, some tears, hugs, and have a lot of great memories!

Not only did I enjoy spending time with both children, I became committed to helping them find the tools and communication they needed to deal with the challenges they faced. Over an 8-year time period, I met their various teachers, spoke with their doctors, helped them with their schoolwork, attended their school events, engaged in physical activities with them, introduced them to experiences they wouldn’t have had otherwise, spent holidays with them and talked with the Judge in Court about their case several times each year to advocate for their needs. 

 

 

I still believe I walked away from the experience with more gifts than anything I was able to share with them. Children are great teachers in forgiveness, being joyful and in displaying unconditional love. I am continuously grateful for the gifts they gave me and that I was able and to be there to help them conquer their fears, overcome the challenges they faced and to celebrate their successes. After 10-years, I am blessed that they are still a part of my life. This year, I had the opportunity to attend a high school graduation and watch as one of them became the first high school graduate in their family. It was one of many proud moments I’ve had in the past decade. Being a CASA volunteer is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to make a difference on a personal level and change the life of a child. Being a CASA has been one of the top highlights in my life!”

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw

As spokespeople for National CASA since 2008, psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin McGraw, have worked to make CASA a household word by repeatedly featuring the CASA cause on their television show and website. Their support has generated record numbers of volunteer inquiries and informed millions of people about the work of CASA programs.

The CASA Program was initially developed in 1977 by a Seattle juvenile court Judge who recognized a need for children who are moved around within the social service and foster care system to have a specially assigned volunteer to be a constant in their life to ensure the child is not lost within the system and that their needs are met. A CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocate is assigned when neglected or abused children are having a difficult time in transitioning within the Foster Care System or are displaying behavioral problems as a result of their change in environment.

CASA is located in the different counties of Southern California and is in need of volunteers.                      

Click on the link below to learn more about this program that benefits abused and neglected children:

http://www.casaforchildren.org

Who Are CASA Volunteers?

Last year, more than 77,000 CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers helped 234,000 abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes. CASA volunteers are everyday citizens who have undergone screening and training with their local CASA/GAL program.

Who Are the Children CASA Volunteers Help?

Judges appoint CASA volunteers to represent the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Each year, more than 600,000 children experience foster care in this country. Because there are not enough CASA volunteers to represent all of the children in care, judges typically assign CASA volunteers to their most difficult cases. Read the stories of young people whose lives were changed by the support of a CASA volunteer.

How Your 911 Phone Call May Cost You Thousands on a Fire Loss

Did you know there are people who listen in on the radio frequency used by the Fire Department on 911 phone calls? Be warned! You can expect a knock at your door shortly after making a call to 911 from various Public Adjusters, sometimes referred to as “ambulance chasers.” These Public Adjusters may tell you horror stories about your insurance company and how your insurance company will not treat you fairly or compensate you entirely for your damages. Beware as they may have one goal in mind - to take advantage of your misfortune in order to turn a profit.

Once a call is placed to 911 to report a fire, Public Adjusters competing with others in their line of work will race to be first-on-scene at the home, business or commercial building to take advantage of the situation. Public Adjusters may charge up to 40% of the total value of your claim for their services, costing helpless home, building and business owners thousands of unnecessarily-spent dollars. At 40%, they would charge $40,000 for every $100,000 you incur in costs for repairs and hotel stay, temporary housing or the cost to replace your personal or business property.

It may appear that these Public Adjusters travel in packs. Thirty of them may show up at a home or building immediately after the 911 call is made and for weeks afterward with different approaches and various sales pitches to get the property owner to hire them. They may blatantly lie to the property owner and tell them they were sent by the the insurance company (in an attempt to get information about the insurance company the building owner is insured with, what type of policy they have, the amount of their policy limits, their policy deductible and their insurance policy or claim number). In some cases, they have been known to offer the property owner or property manager an envelope full of cash for information or get them to sign with them for their services.

Public Adjusters often refer their own contractors who: 

• May likely not be insured, licensed or bonded
• May not pull permits or follow proper procedures
• May not finish the job after receiving a sizable down payment to begin repairs
• May cut corners in order to rake in even more cash for themselves (like replace plaster with drywall and not credit the owner the substantial price difference of the material & labor cost, not remove all affected materials in an attempt to save on construction costs, not replace insulation in the attic or walls, not hire a licensed abatement contractor to remove of and dispose of materials that test positive for lead or asbestos or install lower grade or not equivalent quality of materials than were initially in the home or building)

The Public Adjuster will likely tell you that you don’t have to pay them anything for their services and that the payment they receive will come from the increase they are able to get your insurance company to pay you. Regardless of whether they are able to increase the value of the claim or not, if you hire them, you are on the hook to pay them the percentage outlined in their contract. Ultimately, this could mean that you will receive less money than you would have been entitled to and that you don’t have enough money to repair all of the damage to your home or building or to replace your damaged business or personal property.

Most people don’t know that the adjuster sent by your insurance company will provide the same services as a Public Adjuster at no cost to the home or building owner. The difference between the two adjusters is that the Public Adjuster solicits and works for the general public who then pays them for their services. 

As an informed property owner, you should know that you have 72 hours to cancel a contract in the State of California, which is why the Public Adjuster may offer to report a claim to your insurance company on your behalf, while offering to put you up in a hotel or offer to send you and your family on a vacation for 3-days or more. In doing so, their intent may be that your insurance carrier can’t get a hold of you during the time period in which you can legally cancel your contract with them. They may fear that your insurance company’s adjuster will inform you about how Public Adjusters get paid or explain to you how the insurance company is regulated by The California Department of Insurance to follow the proper claims process.

Property owners need to know their legal rights - Legally, property owners can ask Public Adjusters to vacate their property , and can even call the police if they won't leave or continue to harass the owner. The California State Contractor’s License Board’s Website recommends not paying more than 10% of the total contract price or a $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment to any contractor.

The Bottom Line:

If you ever have to call 911 to report damage to your home or building due to a fire, make sure to give your insurance company a fair chance. If you feel you aren't bring treated fairly, contact The California Department of Insurance to initiate an investigation of your insurance company’s handling of your claim to ensure you are being treated fairly. Don't make a hasty decision while you are still traumatized from losing your home, pet, family member, business or property due to a fire.

If you feel confident that hiring a Public Adjuster is an option for you, make sure to check the California Department of Insurance’s website (www.DOI.CA.gov) to verify they are licensed and bonded and have no valid complaints filed against them. With so much information available to the public via the internet, you may also want to run a search on the Public Adjuster’s name or their company’s name to make sure others have had a good experience after retaining their services. As a final precautionary measure, you may also want to conduct research to confirm that the Public Adjuster has no criminal history of committing insurance fraud.

Specialized Outsource Solutions is here to insure a no hassle, worry-free, and trustworthy solution for you by referring contractors who are licensed, bonded, insured and believe in quality workmanship. SOS can refer a reputable contractor that specializes in cleaning the black soot residue from your home or building as well as your business or personal property and that also specializes in getting rid of smoke odor that can linger after a fire. Rely on SOS and call us at 1-888-589-1868 or request referral of a reputable contractor from our website.

The Red Substance Airplanes Drop on Wildfires

So what is the red stuff falling out of planes or being dropped from helicopters and how does it work? The substance is called Foscheck, though is more commonly known as slurry. It is a phosphorous mixture comprised of 85% water, 10% fertilizer (ammonia phosphate and sulfate ions), and 5% minor ingredients (iron oxide for color, clay or bentonite). Its main use is to create containment lines by coating vegetation areas in front of wildfires. Basically, it keeps the fire from spreading.

Fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat to burn, and water is the best at removing all three components. However, it’s not always the best application. The slurry retardant is better than water during wildfires because of its sticky property. Water would run down hillsides, evaporate quicker, and soak into the ground, while the slurry sticks to the vegetation and ground.

Here’s how it works...

When the fire interacts with the retardant, a chemical reaction occurs which creates only carbon and water, ultimately preventing flammable combustion. So pilots do not actually drop it on the fire (as it may appear when you see it on television news coverage), but they drop it around the fire to prevent it from spreading. Slurry also aids in cooling the fire so firefighters can get a closer to extinguish it.

Why is slurry red in color?

A red dye is added so the firefighting crews on the ground can see the areas it has been dropped. When an area is red, it is protected and firefighters can begin creating “firelines” around the red slurry. This is when they clear flammable materials (vegetation, brush, etc.) from a strip of land, giving the area little to no potential to burn. The vibrant red color also allows tankers to visually note the areas that have already been protected so they can drop more slurry where it is needed.

Once slurry coats the vegetation, the water evaporates and the mixture stays, leaving behind only the fertilizer which is absorbed into the ground. If a large rain storm occurs, the slurry washes away leaving behind fertilizer that actually helps restore the land and vegetation affected by the fire. Slurry is completely safe for human contact but can be harmful to animals (including fish), which is why there are no-drop zones. These no-drop zones are located in areas that have sensitive plants, vegetation, animals and bodies of water. Creating these zones are the only precautions authorities have taken to protect the land and wildlife.

If any of your property has had the slurry dropped on it, it is advised to wash it off because the red dye can stain. Cleaning up the slurry also ensures pets are safe and helps make certain that buildings, other construction materials, and plants are not permanently stained. This process is not recommended to be done using soap as it can actually cause further damage. Specialized Outsource Solutions can refer reputable contractors that have successfully cleaned Foscheck (aka slurry) from roofs, homes, buildings, gazebos, patio covers, decks, pools, walls, fences, trees, shrubs, plants, driveways, walkways, and lawns.

Due to winds often associated with wildfires, it is not uncommon for ash from a wildfire to enter the interior of a home or attic when a wildfire occurs within close proximity. Once the fire is extinguished, it may take time for the smoke odor from the burned hillside surrounding your home to dissipate. This usually occurs after a rainstorm. However, if the smoke odor inside your home is still lingering, there are contractors that specialize in cleaning ash or the black soot residue that can settle on horizontal surfaces on floors, in window and door tracks, and on the personal property and furniture in your home. These certified contractors use special equipment and a specific cleaning process that can rid your home of any residual smoke odor as well.

If smoke residue or a smoke odor remains in your home or your property has been covered with slurry, the property insurance policy you carry on your home should cover the needed cleaning. In this case, you may want to contact your insurance agent, broker or insurance company to submit a claim if the damage exceeds your policy’s deductible.

So if you own a home where a wildfire has occurred within a few miles of your home’s location and you have sustained damage from slurry, soot or smoke odor, rely on SOS to refer reputable contractors that specialize in bringing your home back to normal. 

Call us at 1-888-589-1868 or request a referral for reputable contractors from our website.

There's mold in my home: When should I call a professional?

Mold found in homes can sometimes be remedied with a simple do-it-yourself (DIY) fix. However, when homeowners encounter large masses of mold growth, a contractor with legitimate certifications and experience is of utmost importance in order to avoid further (and more costly) damage and potential health problems.

Q: When should professional contractors step in? 
A: When mold begins growing in large quantities, the surface it’s growing on cannot be repaired with a DIY method, and its source (like a severe pipe leak) cannot be repaired without the help of a professional.

Certified contractors generally begin a mold remediation job by running lab tests to identify the type of mold on the scene. A remediation contractor will then define the best process to address the situation and commence work to remove or clean the affected area(s).

Homeowners dealing with significant amounts of mold will often need to remove drywall or discard moldy carpeting simply because it's impossible to clean. The removal process is sensitive; if a contractor is not well-versed or certified, they may further spread mold spores in the removal process. This can lead to additional remediation work and can trigger health issues, such as mold allergies. Always rely on professional workers to get the job done right the first time.

When it comes time to bring a professional mold contractor into the job, call Specialized Outsource Solutions for referrals to certified professional companies in your area. Speak with their customer service team at 888-589-1868 any day of the week, any time of day.

7 Ways to Save Money on Home Bills: Water Efficiency

If you’re looking to save money on monthly home bills, you can start by integrating these guidelines into your home life. Flush out some bad habits, pick up some new tips, and see if your water and sewage costs go down. 

1. Save more than 10% on water bills by fixing water leaks. Address dripping faucets by replacing rubber gaskets and/or gaskets, leaky showerheads can be fixed with pipe tape and a wrench, and running toilets may be repaired by replacing the rubber flapper.

2. Installing aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets may save up to $100 per year. Aerators help reduce the flow of water to moderate output, and a good model will do so without reducing water pressure.

3. Try to always run your dishwasher, and washing machine, and dryer at full capacity. You are wasting water and energy running them only half full. This tip also reduces carbon emissions (great for thinking green!).

4. Test for leaks in your toilet bowl with this colorful tip: Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and if you notice any color in the bowl within 20 minutes, there is a leak somewhere.

5. This unusually practical trick can save up to 10 gallons of water use per day: Some people turn to using a brick in their toilet’s water tank as a way to save water. An alternative to the brick is to use a plastic bottle with some sand or pebbles to weigh it down, and drop it in the tank (without it hindering the tank’s moving parts).

6. Repurpose your water. Some people do this by simply bringing a bucket in the shower to capture excess water, and others create complex systems to capture water. Installing rain barrels outdoors to capture rainwater also reduces the need to use the garden hose and thereby reduces your water bill. Learn more about repurposing water before putting it into practice.

7. Contact your city or municipality that handles water and sewage maintenance. Some city departments offer home inspections to identify the sources of possible leaks that could be driving up your water bill.

When it comes time to contact a professional for emergency pipe bursts or unruly water leaks, contact Specialized Outsource Solutions. We provide referrals to certified, licensed, and bonded contractors who are local and specialize in stopping leaks and addressing water damage to your home. Call 1-888-589-1868 or fill out our online service request form.

Interesting Facts for the Fourth of July

We found this great infographic on FlagandBanner.com and wanted to share it with our loyal audience. SOS wishes everyone a very safe and festive Independence Day! We will be on-call this holiday, so contact us for home-service emergency referrals. Happy 4th of July from the SOS team.

10 Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

It is important for you and everyone in your home to know a few plumbing basics. They can save you time and money down the road, as water damage repairs can be quite costly. Here are the top ten plumbing checks every homeowner should know:

1. Plumbing emergencies may require quick thinking and fast action. Everyone in your home should know where the main shut-off valve for the water is, just in case.

2. Learn how to read your water meter. When no one else is home and you know there is no water running, check your meter to ensure none of the dials are moving. If they are, then you may likely have a water leak somewhere.
(Insider Info: Toilets and faucets are the most likely culprits of these kinds of leaks, which are known to add a few hundred dollars a year to your water bill.)

3. Check for toilet leaks by inserting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. About 20 minutes later, check the toilet bowl for any presence of color. If you do see some color in the toilet bowl, there may be seepage around the flapper valve inside the toilet tank. It is an easy fix as long as you know there is a problem.

4. Try to drain a few gallons of water from your hot water heater tank twice a year. This ensures the valve works and also allows sediment accumulating at the bottom of the tank to clear out, maximizing heating efficiency.

(Insider Info: If you have the funds, invest in a tankless water heater and watch your utility bills lower because no energy is spent keeping gallons and gallons of water hot in a storage tank. A tankless water heater heats water on demand, when you need it.)

5.  When your toilet looks like it might overflow, remove the tank lid and press down on the flush valve, which plugs the hole at the bottom of the tank. This prevents the toilet from overflowing while you determine the source of the clog causing the problem. You may also turn off the water supply line located in the wall behind your toilet.

6. Keep all water and drain valves operational by opening and closing them at least twice a year. If you do not do this, a valve may freeze up over time. If you are caught in a plumbing dilemma and cannot turn the valve off, you could be facing serious problems.

7. Learn where these three stop valves are in your home. This allows you to turn off water at the problem source rather than inconvenience an entire household by turning off the main water shut-off valve to the house.

• Faucets (beneath kitchen cabinets)
• Refrigerator lines (in the wall behind the refrigerator)
• Toilets (in the wall behind the toilet)

8. Keep a plunger around for clogged sinks and toilets as they are effective tools for clearing clogged plumbing lines.

9. Invest in a few replacement parts such as a toilet kit and rubber gaskets for those simple plumbing fixes around the home.

10. Avoid chemical drain cleaners for removing clogs. Instead, use a plunger or invest in a plumbing tool called an auger (a.k.a. "snake”) for those tough obstructions in plumbing pipes.

NOTE: If you encounter a plumbing problem you cannot resolve, or an emergency arises, always hire a qualified contractor to address the issue. 

In need of a reputable company to address water damage due to a plumbing-related leak or water damage inside your home? Rely on Specialized Outsource Solutions for 24-hour emergency services. Call 1-888-589-1858 and we’ll direct you to the right plumber for the job. 

11 Ways to Prepare Now for Fire Season

Southern California residents need to be on alert now. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is urging residents to prepare for fire season. After such a dry winter, it is even more important to be mindful of how you can prepare your home with preventative measures to withstand the state’s hot, dry climate.

Specialized Outsource Solutions proposes these 11 tips to get your current home equipped to reduce the risk of fire damage:

1) Keep it Trimmed: Make sure you keep long-hanging branches cut six feet above the ground

2) End Before 10: Start your yard work early when the landscape is naturally dewy and the temperature is cooler, and finish up by 10 a.m.

3) Dismiss the Debris: Leaves, needles, and other yard debris needs to be cleared off the ground, gutters, and rooftop

4) Keep it in the Kitchen: Make sure a fire extinguisher is readily available in your cooking area, as cooks tend to spark flames from time to time

5) Chimney Sweep: Clean your fireplace chimneys and flues once every year, minimum

6) Detect and Protect: Place smoke detectors in living and sleeping areas, test them regularly, and replace their batteries at least once a year

7) Tools n’ Such: Make sure all heat-emitting tools are off when not in use, allow them to cool before storing, and replace frayed electrical chords

8) 100 Friendly Feet: Keep clear a 100-foot parameter around your home to increase the chance of it surviving a wildfire

9) Beware of Air-Freshener Plug Ins: Regularly monitor air freshener levels and unplug when you aren't at home and when you’re asleep

10) Fish Tank Savvy: Ensure the power strip isn't susceptible to contact with water

11) Electrical Power Strips: Never attach extension cord to into a power strip with multiple outlets, and do not plug appliances into power strips

SOS is a referral network for reputable contractors who specialize in fire restoration and fire-damage repairs. The customer service center is open 24-hours, 7 days a week, and you can always access the SOS online referral request HERE.

Call 888-589-1868 in case your home or building does sustain damage due to smoke, soot, or heat associated with a fire.

(SOURCE: Cal Fire News Release. “Cal Fire Increases Staffing in Southern California as Fire Danger Rises.” www.fire.ca.gov. April 2013.)

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