Jan. 2010
First General Services of NE Pa. is very pleased to announce the recent appointment of Keith Jones of Dallas, Pa., to its Wilkes-Barre estimating staff. Keith initiated his duties in early November 2009.
Prior to joining FGS Keith was employed for almost 10 years as an Outside Sales/Estimator by a kitchen manufacturer and as Manager of the Kitchen Department for a local building materials company.
In addition, Keith is experienced in all phases of new construction and remodeling, including residential electrical and plumbing, as a result of over 10 years operating his own construction contracting business.
A graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Keith will bring his construction, computer and business skills to his duties as Project Manager. FGS looks forward to bringing Keith's long-term skills to bear in meeting the needs of our clients.
First Annual Sobeck Charitable Fund Awards
| The First Annual John and Barbara Sobeck Charitable Fund Awards will be presented to local recipients at a special luncheon to be conducted on Friday January 29, 2010. The event, held at the River Grille, 670 N. River Street in Plains, will begin at 12:30 PM. |
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| In conjunction with the Luzerne Foundation, the John and Barbara Sobeck Charitable Fund has chosen 14 agencies as recipients for this year's awards, totaling in excess of $13,500.00. Proceeds for this distribution are generated from the annual charitable golf tournament run by First General Services, owned by John Sobeck. All entry fees, donations and hole sponsor payments received through this event are designated for the benefit of the local charities. |
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| Recipients of this year's awards are the following: American Red Cross (Bloomsburg Chapter), American Red Cross (Wyoming Valley Chapter), the Catherine McAuley House, Creating Unlimited Possibilities, Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley, Hazleton Rotary, Make a Wish Foundation, Maternal & Family Health, Ruth's Place, Salvation Army (Bloomsburg Area Service Unit), Salvation Army (Wyoming Valley Chapter), and the SPCA of Luzerne County, and the Luzerne Foundation. |
Puff-Back Season is Here!
Winter is here, and your heating system is running full blast; 'Tis the season for puff-backs!
What is a puff-back?
A puff-back is when your heating system malfunctions and sends soot and/or odor throughout your property. When a "backfire" of the heating system occurs, soot can be pushed throughout your property and damage may range from very light to a heavy noticeable film.
How do I know when I have a puff-back?
| You may start to notice a smoky/oily odor or detect that areas recently "dusted" are dirty again only a few hours later. Perhaps you remove a picture from the wall and notice the "clean area" surrounded by an outline of where the picture had been hanging. |
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| In other cases the damage is extreme and noticeable almost immediately. Soot becomes visible on clothing, furniture, ceilings, walls and floors etc, and the odor is very strong. |
What do I do if I experience a puff-back?
If you have the misfortune of suffering from a puff-back, please follow the below recommendations:
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Don't touch anything! You can make the damage worse by improper cleaning and may actually make the damage permanent.
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Call a restoration professional who specializes in losses such as this.
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Contact your insurance agent and/or insurance company.
How can I prevent this from happening to me?
Regular maintenance of your heating system will greatly decrease your chances of having a puff-back. In the majority of cases, the puff-back would not have occurred if the furnace had been properly maintained and repaired/replaced as recommended by your furnace repairman. While an annual inspection of the furnace will not absolutely prevent a "puff-back", it will greatly reduce the likelihood of one.
