Newsletter - March 09

Bloomsburg, Pa. January, 2009 First General Services is very pleased to announce the appointment of Curtis Coppola as Operations Manager for our Bloomsburg (Columbia County) office. Curtis, a resident of nearby Benton, initiated his responsibilities as Manager effective Monday December 29, 2008.

In making the announcement, Colin J. Holmes, Chief Operating Officer of FGS of NE Pa, stated, “We consider ourselves to be extremely fortunate to have available an extremely qualified and experienced professional to assume the duties of Operations Manager for our Bloomsburg office. Curtis Coppola brings his years of estimating and restoration experience to bear in his new capacity. We look forward to working with all of our friends and customers in meeting their restoration needs.”
In addition to his past work experience as Production Manager in the FGS Wilkes-Barre Office, Curtis has years of experience in the restoration industry. He holds IICRC Certifications in Water Remediation, Smoke & Odor Restoration, and Mold Mitigation. Previously Curtis worked for well-known restoration contractors in directing their efforts, prior to joining FGS in November 2007.
His skills will be brought to bear in directing emergency services, estimating and the reconstruction efforts involved in all of our fire, smoke, water and odor mitigation projects. The entire FGS team anticipates that all who have contact with Curtis will develop a sense of appreciation for his in depth knowledge, experience and skills in managing the Columbia County operations of FGS.

First General Services’ Charity Golf Event

People in picture from (L) - (R): Danielle Sciandra, Director of Development (First General Services) John C. Sobeck, Sr. President (First General Services) Charles Barber, President & CEO (The Luzerne Foundation) Colin J. Holmes, Chief Operating Officer (First General Services)

On Friday September 19, 2008, First General Services of NE Pa. conducted its 24th annual charitable golf event at Irem Country Club, Dallas. The event, sponsored annually by the Company and its owner, John C. Sobeck, benefits local charities, with proceeds distributed through its new affiliation with the Luzerne Foundation.

This year’s captain and crew event, was won by the team of Thomas M. Gill & Company (CPA). With the largest turnout in tournament history, FGS established a new level of charitable contributions. This year’s proceeds will be distributed by the Luzerne Foundation to deserving local agencies and charities including the American Red Cross, Creating Unlimited Possibilities, the Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, and the Make A Wish Foundation.
In summarizing the success of the event, John C. Sobeck stated, “This is just one small way that we can give back to the local community in which we have done business for so many years.”
Preliminary plans for the 2009 event have already been initiated, with expectations for an even more successful turnout.
Frozen Water Pipes… What Do You Do?

Frozen water pipes are all too common during extended cold snaps in winter. Below are some tips on how to thaw frozen pipes.

SAFETY FIRST!

Keep in mind that open flames or torches can ignite combustible materials around pipes such as wood beams, flooring, insulation, etc. Use a hair dryer or space heater to thaw frozen pipes gradually. NOTE: Pipes that are warmed too fast can break!

If you think a pipe is frozen, start the thawing process as soon as possible or call a plumber for help.

  • Open all faucets.
    One or more pipes may not be completely frozen and even a small water flow might thaw the obstruction.
  • If that fails …
    Use a hair dryer at the suspected freeze site. Make sure the taps are open while the pipes are heated.
  • If you have a basement
    Locate the spot where the water pipe enters the home. See if this pipe passes through a non-insulated area. Apply heat to the suspected area.
  • If you have a crawl space
    Look for an area where cold air can enter. Apply heat to all sections of pipes located in this area.
  • If you live in a mobile home
    There is a greater chance the main supply pipe will freeze at the point where it enters your home. You should apply heat where the pipe leaves the ground and enters the mobile home.
  • If you don’t have a hair dryer
    Use an electric space heater or heat lamp. Make sure the outlet is properly grounded to prevent electrical shock.
  • Once the obstruction is cleared and the water is flowing again, turn off all faucets and check for leaks! Pipes tend to split/burst in the area where the obstruction occurred. Any leaks you find should be repaired immediately. If you cannot repair them yourself, call a professional.

When the weather warms up, check unused portions of your water system for freezing damage and leaks to avoid possible flooding damage from undetected cracked or broken pipes.

If you live in an area that usually experiences severe winter weather, consider insulating both hot and cold water pipes (including the fittings) in all unheated areas. Certified electric heat tape wrapped around the pipes can also help prevent frozen piping. Be careful not to wrap heat tape back over itself; that could cause the tape to overheat and could become a fire hazard.

Information in the above article was collected from: www.prepare.org, www.keidel.com, www.lowes.com
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