When you need advice pertaining to water or fire damage to your home, count on this comprehensive guide to walk you through everything you need to know.

The Homeowner's Guide to Water & Fire Damage

RICHMOND — When it comes to removing an in-home mold infestation, proper procedure is critical, not only to ensure a thorough job but also to avoid further contamination. That’s why, if you have a substantial mold problem in your home, your best bet is to call a remediation professional. The first thing a mold remediation company will do is contain the affected area by putting up plastic, which will keep mold spores from escaping while the work is taking place. In addition to being sealed, the work area is put under negative pressure to capture any airborne spores or particles that alight during the course of the job. Of course, while it’s important to contain the work space, Read more

<h1>Erez Gilad: Around the World</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Program Reporter</h6>
RICHMOND — Erez Gilad was raised on his family’s farm in Israel, and it was there that he learned the trade of his forefathers. As he matured, however, he began to develop bigger ambitions—ones that would eventually take him to the other side of the planet. “I moved to California in 2006, right after I completed my service with the Israel Defense Forces,” he remembers. “I had a friend who lived in the Bay Area and owned his own business, which was my dream. He told me about a colleague who was looking for someone to help establish a local restoration franchise. It seemed like a great opportunity, so I decided to take it. I started out doing carpet cleaning, just to become more familiar with the industry, and I gradually earned my general contractor’s license, as well as certifications in air duct cleaning and water and fire damage remediation.”
Today, as owner of Reactic Restoration, Erez says one of his favorite parts of his job is addressing the psychological aspects of the work. “When people experience a structural loss, they’re typically stressed, confused and angry. When we come into their homes with a friendly face and take control of the situation, it relieves a lot of their stress. I enjoy helping our customers and reassuring them that everything will be taken care of.”
Erez divides his time between the Bay Area and his home country, where he lives with his wife, Rinat, and daughters, Noya and Liya. When asked his favorite part about Northern California, he says he appreciates the harmonious integration of its diverse populous. “You have people from all over the world living together and accepting each other as human beings, which I love to see.”
Outside of work, Erez enjoys a variety of active pastimes, from soccer and yoga to running and swimming. “I also love spending time with my family,” he says. “We enjoy travelling all over the world and seeing new places, but we also like going to the beach and just playing in our backyard.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Erez says he would take his interest in travel to a new level. “I don’t know if I’ll ever retire—I’m the kind of person who always needs something to keep me going. However, if I did, I’d like to take a trip around the world. I recently read about a yacht that goes around the world in 180 days, which would be amazing.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Coffee or tea? 
A: Coffee in the morning and tea in the evening.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant? 
A: Betelnut in San Francisco.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? 
A: Answer our customers’ calls, of course!
Q: What’s your favorite snack? 
A: An Israeli peanut butter snack called “Bamba.”
Q: Do you collect anything? 
A: Hats.

Owner

Erez Gilad: Around the World By James Florence, Diamond Certified Program Reporter RICHMOND — Erez Gilad was raised on his family’s farm in Israel, and it was there that he learned the trade of his forefathers. As he matured, however, he began to develop bigger ambitions—ones that would eventually take him to the other side of the planet. “I moved to California in 2006, right after I completed my service with the Israel Defense Forces,” he remembers. “I had a friend who lived in the Bay Area and owned his own business, which was my dream. He told me about a colleague who was looking for someone to help establish a local restoration franchise. Read more

Erez Gilad is a 12-year veteran of the restoration industry and owner of Reactic Restoration, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (510) 221-6767 or by email.

Erez Gilad: Around the World

MOUNTAIN VIEW — When it comes to fire safety, even small steps can potentially save your life. Here are a couple of basic fire safety tips for your home: 1. Test fire safety equipment. The simplest way to reduce fire risks in your home is to regularly test and inspect all fire safety equipment. This includes smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers, both of which should be tested monthly and replaced by their respective expiration dates. If you have older, battery-powered smoke alarms, be sure to replace the batteries one to two times per year. Newer smoke alarms have built-in 10-year batteries, so you don’t need to replace the batteries—just test the units every month and replace them at the 10-year mark. Read more

<h1>Corey Haney: Playing it Safe</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
MOUNTAIN VIEW — When Corey Haney was unsure about his next career move, he took a shot at a job opportunity in the life safety industry. “I had been working in concrete construction, but I got laid off when the economy crashed in 2008,” he recounts. “I wanted to get into an industry that was more insulated from economic turbulence, so I started researching. I found an opening with Statcomm Inc. and it seemed like a good fit—not only did life safety strike me as a pretty interesting field, it was definitely more stable than construction. I started as an apprentice, working in the warehouse, and eventually worked my way up to field supervisor for the electronics department.”
Today, Corey says his favorite part of his job is the inherent rewards that come with improving safety. “I like the fact that I make my living by making properties safer. It feels good to know I’m making a difference in people’s lives by protecting them from fires and other life safety risks.”
A resident of Gilroy (where he lives with his wife, Emily), Corey expresses his appreciation for the vibrant character of Bay Area life. “I grew up in Campbell and I’ve always valued the uniqueness of the Bay Area. There are lots of opportunities here and the business climate is constantly changing—we’re on the cutting edge, so there’s always something new and hot driving the economy.”
Outside of work, Corey spends his free time on a variety of activities. “Emily and I enjoy taking weekend getaways to Monterey and Santa Cruz, as well as going for walks with our miniature Australian shepherd, Mochi,” he details. “We also do a lot of home improvement projects. Right now, we’re finishing up a major overhaul of our backyard.”
In regard to his professional career, Corey subscribes to the principle of “quality first.” “I aim to do every job to the best of my ability and focus on quality before anything else,” he affirms. “Some people may cut corners to save time or money, but if you have to go back and fix something, you end up spending more time and money in the long run. Plus, when it comes to life safety, there’s absolutely no room to cut corners. Every property we work on needs to be 100 percent by the time we’re finished.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Corey says he’d take a tropical vacation. “My wife has never been to Hawaii, so I’d probably take her there for a couple of weeks. We both work really hard at our jobs, so it would be nice to kick off retirement with a relaxing vacation.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Music or talk radio?
A: Talk radio—I’m a bit of a news junkie.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas.
Q: What were you most known for in high school? 
A: Probably my truck. I was a real gearhead in high school and I had a ’64 Chevy hot rod truck. I still have it, actually.
Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Sour Patch Kids.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Old tools.

Field Supervisor

A glimpse into the life and career of Corey Haney, field supervisor at STATCOMM Inc.

Corey Haney is a field supervisor at STATCOMM Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (650) 988-9508 or by email.

Corey Haney: Playing it Safe

If you own a groundwater system, it's a good idea to actively monitor its performance.

<h1>Shane Ragan: Tapping the Wellspring</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
NAPA — As a fifth-generation participant in his family’s well drilling and pump business, Shane Ragan is further deepening an already profound professional legacy. “I was pretty much raised in this company, which was started by my great-great grandfather in 1949,” he says. “My grandpa started paying me to clean up the shop when I was 11 and things progressed from there. By the time I was 15, I was running my own crew—I didn’t even have a driver’s license! After all these years, I’ve grown to love this work and appreciate being a part of my family’s legacy.”
Today, as project manager at McLean &amp; Williams, Inc., Shane says his favorite part of his job is taking on unusual or challenging situations. “I like tackling problems that our competitors aren’t able to figure out or just don’t want to deal with. That probably gives me the most satisfaction—coming into a situation where people think the job can’t be done and making it happen.”
A resident of Napa (where he lives with his wife, Rachelle, and their kids, Alyssa and Andrew), Shane says it’s a perfect place for someone in his line of work. “Here in Napa, we have great weather and an environment that allows for a wide range of systems and applications. We do a lot of winery and vineyard work, but we also service a lot of residential homes, so there’s a lot of variety, which keeps things interesting.”
Outside of work, Shane spends his free time on a variety of active pastimes. “I enjoy anything sports-related, from football, baseball and basketball to golf and bowling,” he says. “I also like going to my kids’ sporting events and watching them play.” Additionally, Shane and his family like to get out and about in the Bay Area. “We do a lot of exploring and enjoy visiting nearby beaches and national parks. Vineyards are beautiful, but when you see them every day, it’s nice to get a change of scenery.” When he’s not playing sports or out exploring, Shane can often be found working in his garden at home.
In regard to his professional career, Shane embraces the charge of filling what he considers some sizeable shoes. “When you have customers who know your parents or knew your grandparents, it creates some high expectations,” he affirms. “There are even a few people who remember my great-grandpa and have stories of when he took care of them or got them out of a bind. I clearly have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I get a lot of satisfaction from meeting those high expectations and maintaining our company’s reputation for quality service.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Shane says he would expand the scope of his regional explorations. “I’d do some more traveling and see some more of the world. In particular, I’m partial to locations that involve beaches and sunshine, like the Caribbean. I really want to see Australia, so maybe I’d go there first.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite sports team? 
A: The Oakland Raiders.
Q: What kind of music do you like? 
A: Country.
Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future? 
A: The future. It would be neat to experience events in the past, but I’d rather see something new and unknown.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? 
A: Chicken fried steak with gravy.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday? 
A: Christmas—it has always been a big deal in my family.

Project Manager

A glimpse into the life and career of Shane Ragan, project manager at McLean & Williams.

Shane Ragan is a fifth-generation water well and pump professional and project manager at McLean &amp; Williams, Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (707) 809-5945 or by email.

Shane Ragan: Tapping the Wellspring

BRENTWOOD — Is your family outgrowing your current home? A great way to expand your living space without relocating is to build a home addition. However, adding on to your home is no small feat, and it requires careful execution in order to avoid problems in the future. Here are three crucial considerations for a home addition: 1. Foundation Adding horizontal square footage to a home requires an expansion of its foundation. To do this, a construction team will drill holes into the existing foundation and insert rebar. The rebar should extend 32 to 36 inches out from the existing foundation. When the concrete is poured for the new foundation, the rebar will tie it to the existing one, Read more

<h1>Roberto Ramos: Taking the Plunge</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
BRENTWOOD — Roberto Ramos spent several years climbing the ladder at his previous job before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship by starting his own business. “I started working in construction back in 1994,” he recounts. “During my first few years, I did everything from fire and water damage restoration to highway construction, and eventually, I got into framing and building houses. I worked my way up to the position of foreman at the company I worked for, and later I became a superintendent. It was a good job that paid well, but I started thinking that I could do even better and have more satisfaction if I had my own company. So, I started my business in 2006, and it has been growing little by little every year since.”
Today, as owner of A Ramos Construction, Inc., Roberto says his favorite part of his job is taking projects from conception to reality. “I just love to create things. It’s exciting to have an idea in your mind and then bring it to life. And of course, I love to see how happy our clients are with the end results.”
A resident of the East Bay Area (where he lives with his wife, Ana), Roberto likes to spend the bulk of his free time outdoors. “I enjoy outdoor activities like boating, jet skiing and snow skiing,” he details. “I’m also an avid golfer and I like playing with friends and clients.” Additionally, Roberto enjoys spending quality time with his and Ana’s three adult children.
Regarding a professional philosophy, Roberto espouses the value of honesty. “We don’t sugarcoat things for our clients,” he explains. “When someone asks for something that’s very time- or labor-intensive, we let them know upfront that it’s not going to be cheap. However, if they’re willing to invest the money, we will deliver exactly what they want, built to the highest possible quality. Our clients really appreciate our honest, upfront approach. At the end of the day, it’s rewarding to know we did our best and provided a product that they’ll enjoy for years to come.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Roberto says he’d see the world. “I would definitely do some traveling. Maybe I’d start with Mexico and then go to Europe. Italy, Spain and Switzerland are all on my list of places I’d like to visit.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What was your first job? 
A: The first job I had in the United States was working as a dishwasher at an Italian restaurant.
Q: Do you follow any sports? 
A: I follow professional golf. Some of my favorite golfers are Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
Q: Coffee or tea? 
A: Coffee.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant? 
A: The Dead Fish in Crockett.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday? 
A: Thanksgiving, because I get a little time to relax and be with my family.

Roberto Ramos: Taking the Plunge By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter BRENTWOOD — Roberto Ramos spent several years climbing the ladder at his previous job before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship by starting his own business. “I started working in construction back in 1994,” he recounts. “During my first few years, I did everything from fire and water damage restoration to highway construction, and eventually, I got into framing and building houses. I worked my way up to the position of foreman at the company I worked for, and later I became a superintendent. It was a good job that paid well, but I started thinking that I could do even better and have more satisfaction if I had my own company. Read more

Roberto Ramos is owner of A Ramos Construction, Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (925) 235-4719 or by email.

Roberto Ramos: Taking the Plunge

SEBASTOPOL — When it comes to drilling a well, proper placement is key. There are several factors that go into determining well placement, including the following: Setbacks A setback is the municipally mandated distance between a structure or installation (such as a building or well) and existing infrastructural features like roads, utility equipment, and property lines. When it comes to wells, most counties require a 100-foot setback from septic systems and a 5- or 10-foot setback from property lines. When choosing your well site, you’ll need to work with the county or city to ensure your installation complies with all required setbacks. Access Since well drilling requires large equipment, Read more

<h1>Charlie Judson: A Life Well Spent</h1>
<h6>By Matt Solis, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
SEBASTOPOL – Charlie Judson didn’t expect to find a career in water treatment when he was a young geology student at Santa Rosa Junior College—like many students, he was simply looking for a way to make some extra money when he stumbled upon an industry that would eventually become his life’s work. “I answered an ad for a company that was looking for someone to install water filters, which I had some experience with, and I ended up working there for a couple years and learning the basics of the business,” he remembers. “I found the water quality part of the job extremely interesting and challenging, both in terms of what makes water safe for human consumption and what makes it usable for industrial processes. From there, I did some consulting work and managed a water treatment dealership in Santa Rosa for about five years. I came to Weeks in 1984…and I’ve been here ever since.”
Much like his profession, Charlie’s permanent Sonoma County residence was the result of a serendipitous series of events rather than a predetermined plan. “My family moved around a lot when I was young, so when I landed in Sonoma County in 1974 it was quite by accident,” he explains. “I was en route to Humboldt State because I’d been accepted in their geology program, and I stopped to visit my sister in Sebastopol first. She said, ‘Why would you go to the trouble of doing your undergraduate work all the way up there when we have this great junior college?’ So that’s how I ended up here, and I just never left.”
Charlie’s initial reasons for staying in Sonoma County were purely practical, but after living in the Bay Area for nearly four decades, he says he’s come to appreciate many other aspects of Northern California life. “I love the highly variable climate and easy access to remote places for hiking and camping. My family and I do a lot of river rafting trips—we’ve rafted the Eel River for the past 25 years, and it’s one of our favorite annual traditions. Even though there are about 8 million people living in the Bay Area, we can drive six hours, spend four or five days on the river and not see another soul.”
Charlie’s family doesn’t just accompany him on various outdoor excursions—his wife and two sons have all been involved with Weeks Drilling &amp; Pump Company’s operations over the years. “My oldest son works for us as a water treatment facility operator, and my wife is in charge of compliance issues for regulated water systems that we deal with,” he explains. “Sebastopol actually has the highest per capita number of private wells of any zip code in California, so there’s plenty of work for a company like ours, and I’m glad my family has been able to experience that.”
When he’s not helping homeowners and businesses regulate their water systems, Charlie spends as much time as possible exploring his other passion: landscape photography. “I’ve been photographing landscapes for a long time, and ever since I moved to digital 10 years ago, I’m able to do the entire process myself, from snapping the shutter to making the print,” he says. “I particularly enjoy making large prints, and I have many displayed throughout my house. In fact, my wife jokes that I only shoot in order to feed my printing habit!”
Charlie is content with the stability of Weeks Drilling &amp; Pump Company and the prospect of working in Sonoma County for many years, but when it comes to the subject of retirement, he has some specifics in mind. “I would grab my wife and dog, jump into our camper, and head for the desert,” he laughs. “Of course, I can’t forget the camera. Actually, I might have to come back from the desert to make some prints!”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Who is your favorite musician? 
A: I love Bob Dylan in all his incarnations. I also like Eric Clapton and ’80s rock like Bon Jovi.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl? 
A: An early bird. I always get up early, and I’m never the last one at the party.
Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future? 
A: Definitely the future—that’s where the unknown is. There may be a lot we don’t know about the past, but it’s over and done with. I would much rather shoot forward and be surprised.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday? 
A: Thanksgiving. Even though my family is scattered these days, we always try to get together for Thanksgiving dinner.
 Q: If you had a theme song, what would it be? 
A: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin…although that’s more of a theme to live up to than one I’ve been able to achieve!
Q: Dogs or cats? 
A: Dogs. We have two Jack Russell Terriers named Jade and Chico and a Border Collie named Levi.

President

A glimpse into the life and career of Charlie Judson, president of Weeks Drilling & Pump Company.

Charlie Judson is a veteran of the water treatment industry and consultant for Weeks Drilling &amp; Pump Company, a Diamond Certified company since 2004. He can be reached at (707) 823-3184 or charlie@weeksdrilling.com.

Charlie Judson: A Life Well Spent

MARINA — A commonly overlooked aspect of roofing is keeping up with regular professional maintenance. Oftentimes, a homeowner or commercial property owner will install a brand-new roof and assume they won’t have to think about it again for the next 15 to 20 years. This is not the case—in reality, environmental factors such as rain, wind and UV radiation cause roofing materials to degrade over time. For example, caulking, reglets and collars that seal joints, pipes and transition areas of the roof typically wear out well before the end of the roof’s expected lifespan. This can allow moisture to penetrate the roof, resulting in leaks and rot. Wear and tear is normal and expected of any roof, Read more

<h1>Mike Ross: Roofing Legacy</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
MARINA — As third-generation owner of his family’s business, Mike Ross has been involved in the roofing trade for as long as he can remember. “My grandfather started Ross Roofing &amp; Construction in 1950, and my dad picked it up from him and ran it for 45 years,” he recounts. “Not surprisingly, I’ve been involved for most of my life. At age 10, I was put to work sweeping the yard and sorting nails, screws, and insulation. I continued to work for the business during the summers through high school and college. After getting my degree in construction management at BYU, I came on full-time and took over ownership in 2005.”
Today, Mike says his favorite part of his job is the day-to-day challenges. “Every roof presents a unique set of challenges for us to solve. A lot of times, we’re dealing with run-of-the-mill issues, but every so often we get a roof that just misbehaves and requires us to do some real detective work to find a solution. I like those kinds of challenges—they keep things interesting.”
A lifelong resident of Monterey (where he lives with his wife, Becky, and their three children), Mike describes some of the attributes he appreciates about his hometown. “First of all, you can’t beat the climate. Also, the people are great, there’s not much crime and the coastline is beautiful. Overall, it’s just a nice place to live.”
Outside of work, Mike spends his free time on a variety of active pastimes. “I’m a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America,” he details. “I really enjoy getting kids out from behind their Xboxes and PlayStations and into nature, where they can learn new skills.” In addition to his work with the Scouts, Mike enjoys hobbies like surfing, photography and golf.
In his life and career, Mike reflects on his role in his family’s professional legacy. “Being third-generation owner of this business means a lot to me,” he says. “Our family’s name is well-respected in the community for our quality work, and I want to maintain that reputation for as long as I’m here. If and when my kids take over the business one day, I want it to be intact and financially solid when I pass it on to the fourth generation.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Mike says he’d do some charity work abroad. “I spent some time in Africa doing missionary work a few years ago, and I’ve wanted to go back ever since. The people are wonderful there and it was a really neat experience, so I’ll hopefully get another chance to do it again in the future.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite snack? 
A: My wife’s chocolate chip cookies.
Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future? 
A: The past. I’m a religious guy, so I’d like to see some of the events recorded in the New Testament.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? 
A: Usually, I spend rainy days chasing roof leaks, but if I’m not working, I like going to see a movie with my wife.
Q: Music or talk radio? 
A: Music.
Q: Do you collect anything? 
A: Old coins—I have a pretty good-sized collection.

A glimpse into the life and career of Mike Ross, president of Ross Roofing & Construction, Inc.

Mike Ross is president of Ross Roofing &amp; Construction, Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (831) 708-8969 or by email.

Mike Ross: Roofing Legacy

Even if you consider yourself a handy homeowner, when it comes to installing a new water filtration system, it’s best to rely on a professional's expertise.

<h1>Jim Fisher: Thicker Than Water</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
SANTA ROSA — It’s often said that blood is thicker than water, but in Jim Fisher’s case, the two are more or less inseparable. “My grandfather started the Sonoma County franchise of Culligan Water in 1945, so I’m the third generation of my family to run it,” he explains. “My grandfather was always a big influence on me—I was named after him, and growing up, I loved him and thought he was the greatest. I started working at his store as a teenager, which is where I really got exposed to the business and grew to like it. I had a dream of becoming a pro golfer, but by age 18, it was pretty obvious that wasn’t going to happen, so I decided to stick with the family business.”
Today, as president of Culligan Water of Sonoma County, Jim enjoys being involved in all aspects of the company. “I wear a lot of different hats,” he affirms. “When you’re not limited to one particular subset, it makes for a pretty broad brush of what your workday looks like, and that’s something I really like.”
A resident of Santa Rosa (where he lives with his wife, Suzanne), Jim expresses his appreciation for his longtime hometown. “I feel very fortunate to be living in the same town where I was born and raised. Some people can’t wait to get out of their hometowns, but I think most of my friends who have moved away would love to be able to come back here.”
Outside of work, Jim engages in a variety of active pastimes, including playing and watching sports. “I love golf—I’ve been playing all my life and it’s still my number one pastime,” he says. “I also love basketball. I’ve been a Golden State Warriors season ticket holder since the early 1980s, so I’ve been with them all the way from their lowest points to their recent ascension to glory.” Jim also enjoys vacationing at tropical locales. “I love any place that has a beach, whether it’s Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii.” Additionally, Jim likes keeping in touch with his two grown children, Jonathon and Christina.
In regard to his professional career, Jim espouses the importance of fairness. “I think we have great empathy for our customers—after all, without them, we wouldn’t exist,” he explains. “That’s why we strive to deal fairly with customers in all aspects, from our pricing to our contracts. If there’s ever an issue, the customer doesn’t have to twist our arm to get us to make it right.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Jim says he’d head to his favorite kind of destination. “I’d take a trip to Hawaii or some other tropical place. That’s definitely our go-to thing when traveling. You won’t find me at the glaciers in Alaska or in a cold region of Europe—I’ll always be where the weather is warm and there’s a sandy beach.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What kind of music do you like? 
A: The classic rock I grew up listening to in the 1970s.
Q: What’s your earliest memory? 
A: Spending time with my grandfather on his property. He was the kind of guy who, when you hung out with him, your day was just filled with good stuff.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 
A: Phuket, Thailand. I have a lifelong friend who has lived there for the past 30 years and I still haven’t visited him.
Q: What’s your favorite snack? 
A: Animal crackers.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday? 
A: The Fourth of July. For one, it takes place in summer, which is my favorite time of year. And since my son recently started his military service, it now has a bigger patriotic component for me as well.

A glimpse into the life and career of Jim Fisher, president of Culligan Water of Sonoma County.

Jim Fisher is a third-generation water treatment professional and president of Culligan Water of Sonoma County, a Diamond Certified company since 2002. He can be reached at (707) 706-3947 or by email.

Jim Fisher: Thicker Than Water

RICHMOND — During the past few years, wildfires have become an increasing concern in California. In 2020 alone, more than four million acres were burned statewide, along with more than 10,000 structures. If your home was affected by wildfire, you may need to hire a fire damage restoration contractor to handle repairs and remediation. However, before hiring a contractor, it’s good to get a basic understanding of the protocols and procedures involved in performing a proper restoration. Here are some steps a fire damage restoration contractor should perform: • First, the contractor will clean the entire affected area, whether it’s just one room or your entire house. In addition to wiping everything down, Read more

<h1>Atar Barkai : A Restorative Career</h1>
<h6>By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter</h6>
RICHMOND — Atar Barkai used to build new structures for a living, but today his career is all about restoring damaged ones. “Before working in the restoration industry, I was in general construction,” he affirms. “I met Erez Gilad, the owner of Reactic Restoration, and we had a good connection. Not long after, I went to work for him. With all that was happening with the wildfires in California, fire damage restoration really interested me, much more so than general construction. I figured I could really excel in an industry that interested me, so I decided to give it a shot.”
Today, as business operations manager of Reactic Restoration, Terry says he has two favorite aspects of his job. “First, I like that it’s very dynamic—every day brings something totally new. The other part I enjoy is helping people. When someone is experiencing a crisis and you get to help them out of it, it’s a very fulfilling feeling.”
A resident of Walnut Creek (where he lives with his wife, Eti, and their son), Atar spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I enjoy the outdoors, especially if there’s water involved,” he details. “My family and I like to go swimming and boating at local spots like the Sacramento Delta over at Bay Point. I also enjoy playing basketball with my son and visiting old friends.”
In regard to a professional philosophy, Atar says the customer is always his top priority. “At the end of the day, my biggest concern is making sure our customers are comfortable and satisfied with our work. By performing the job in a conscientious and professional manner, we leave them feeling safe and secure in the knowledge that we’ve taken care of everything.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Atar says he’d build his dream house. “I’d build a big house near a river, with lots of amenities, including a home theater and a basketball court. That way, the next time we have to shelter in place because of a pandemic, I’ll have plenty of things to keep myself entertained.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl? A: Both—I’m pretty much awake 24/7.
Q: What’s your favorite snack? A: Coffee.
Q: What’s your favorite sports team? A: The Golden State Warriors.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? A: Fiji.
Q: What’s your favorite TV show? A: Currently, it’s “The Boys.”

Atar Barkai is business operations manager of Reactic Restoration, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (510) 277-3777 or by email.

Atar Barkai : A Restorative Career

When you need advice pertaining to water or fire damage to your home, count on this guide to walk you through everything you need to know.

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<img src="http://live-diamond-certified-wp.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/Dry-1024x768.jpg" alt="fire-safety-California" style="height: ;width: "/>
During the dry summer months, wildfires are a constant concern throughout California. Photo: American Ratings Corporation (2015)
So, you survived the 4th of July without any major fire-related catastrophes. However, just because the fireworks have subsided (for the most part—watch out for stragglers), it doesn’t mean you can cruise through the rest of fire season on autopilot. To make sure you have your bases covered in terms of fire safety, take a look at this checklist:
1. Make sure your smoke detectors are operational. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been tempted to remove the batteries from a smoke alarm—especially by the 27th time you inadvertently set it off while cooking bacon. However, in the event of a legitimate fire emergency, having your smoke detectors out of commission can carry dire consequences. If you want to cut down on the frequency of accidental triggers, consider swapping out your old units for recently updated models. In addition to being equipped with built-in, tamper-proof batteries to ensure functionality, the new smoke alarms have a “hush” feature, so the next time you burn your toast, the mere touch of a button will restore tranquility to your home environment.
2. Make sure your fire extinguisher is up-to-date and functional. Like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are a key fixture of in-home fire safety. However, also like smoke detectors, they need to be intermittently inspected. To do this, check the unit’s pressure gauge: if the needle falls within the green area, it’s functional; if it falls anywhere else, it needs to either be serviced or replaced. Note that some older models don’t have these gauges, in which case you’ll need to have the unit inspected by a professional. Of course, if your extinguisher is old or in poor condition, it’s likely time to replace it anyway. For more info on fire extinguishers, read this <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/when-to-replace-a-fire-extingu-122386" target="_self">informative article</a>.
<img src="http://live-diamond-certified-wp.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/Mullam-Before-3-300x225.jpg" alt="Be" style="height: ;width: "/>
Be prepared in the event of a kitchen fire by making sure your home’s smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are functional. Photo: American Ratings Corporation (2015)
3. Minimize outdoor fire hazards. Outdoor fire prevention is a top concern during the summer, particularly if you live near wildland areas. A wildfire can start from something as simple as sparks from motorized landscaping equipment or stray embers from a barbeque, so be sure to exercise caution when engaged in outdoor activities. In addition to maintaining a sufficient buffer zone around barbeques and fire pits, make sure to thoroughly saturate remaining charcoal briquettes and ashes with water after use.
Another pivotal aspect of outdoor fire safety is landscape maintenance. Prevent brush fires by removing dead leaves and other vegetation around your home (don’t forget the gutters!), and keep trees and bushes well-pruned. This goes for your lawn as well, especially if you’ve cut back on watering during the drought, as dry grass is extremely flammable. Consider using fire-resistant plants and landscaping techniques to further minimize the chances of wildfires.
In addition to maintaining your landscape, make sure to store firewood, flammable liquids, and similar materials away from your home and outbound buildings. Plan to create a 30-foot zone of fire-resistant space around your home, which will greatly reduce the likelihood of fires starting and/or spreading.
4. Address any electrical issues. Even if you’ve secured fire safety outside your home, remember that a fire can start just as easily from within. One of the most common causes of house fires is malfunctioning or overburdened electrical components. With the increased use of electrical devices today, it’s not uncommon for circuits to become overloaded, especially in older homes, so make sure your system is capable of handling your usage patterns. If you’re frequently blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, or if you notice outlets and switches that are hot to the touch, don’t hesitate to call an electrician—these are all indicators of an unsafe wiring condition.
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James Florence

These 4 great tips will keep you, your family and your home safe this fire season. Learn in-house fire safety tips and how to prevent outdoor fire hazards.

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