Making a difference for the kids at LifeTown Columbus

I want to share some information with you about an exceptional Columbus organization, LifeTown, and its annual Legends Luncheon--an inspiring event slated for May 12, with guest speaker Chris Spielman, and honoring Columbus City Schools.

As a parent of a special needs child myself, I cannot express how important this organization is to our community and to the thousands of children it helps each year. If you are not familiar with LifeTown, what it does is: 1) builds life skills and job skills in teens and young adults who, in generations past, would have had little future, and 2) lifts young people with disabilities to their fullest potential.

What is LifeTown's approach? It is simulating a village where young people can learn to bank, go to the doctor or dentist after making an appointment on their own, visit a pet store, go to the library and get their own library card, or decide if they want to spend money to see a movie or buy something at the art supply store.  

LifeTown serves 2,000 young people annually with the help of 800 community volunteers. I have been a fan and supporter for some time because I have seen firsthand the impact LifeTown can have on a child and his or her family. That's why I hope you will visit their web site and watch the video below. By supporting LifeTown, you can make a difference. There are several sponsorship opportunities for the luncheon still available. For more information, please visit their web site and register online.

Thank you for voting! The Basement Doctor wins in three categories for the Consumers' Choice Award 2014

Over the past several months, Columbus consumers were asked to vote for their favorite businesses in 2014 based on customer satisfaction. More than 25,000 voted, and we are so proud to announce that The Basement Doctor has won in multiple categories.

Although we have earned this honor every year for the past 17 years, this is the first time we have swept all three categories in our industry: basement waterproofing, finishing and foundation repair.

We work hard everyday to earn the trust of the homeowners we work with, and we couldn't be more grateful to all of our satisfied customers who voted for us. The Consumers' Choice Award prides itself in identifying businesses who offer superior customer service, integrity, and professionalism. It has been known as the "Business Seal of Excellence" for more than 25 years.  Unlike some of the other business awards out there such as the Angie's List Super Service Award, there can only be one Consumer's Choice Award winner in each category. Most importantly, those winners are based solely on the votes and opinions of real customers.

The winning businesses are determined by customer service ratings through a three-part process:
1. Nominations: Consumers are invited to cast their ballot for their favorite businesses.
2. Voting Survey: The Consumers' Choice Award commissions an independent polling firm to conduct a yearly, open ended local survey. Respondents can choose a company from the ballot or select another business not on the ballot.
3. Ethics Review: A national business law firm reviews all top-voted companies to ensure they are in good standing with business regulatory agencies. Businesses with any unresolved issues are decided upon by an independent panel.

We encourage all of our customers and readers to navigate through the Consumer's Choice Award Columbus web site to view our business page as well as the award recipients in other categories. For anyone looking to find a business they can trust, this award truly signifies complete customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Is your home ready for Spring? Take action before the heavy rain hits.

Spring is known for some unpredictable weather. Blue sunny skies one day, and heavy rains the next. Flooding in your basement is mostly likely to happen during these periods of heavy rainfall or when the winter snow is quickly melting during a spring thaw. Standing water in your basement not only leads to costly damage to your property and possessions, but it can also lead to mold and mildew, which can greatly affect your health and the air you breathe in your home.

Below you will find some easy tips to prepare your home for this time of year. These tips can help you to take action to prevent flooding, and will save you money and unnecessary stress.

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1. Free your home of any leftover ice or snow.

Snow can melt and then refreeze in foundation cracks for long periods of time. This can cause the integrity of your home to weaken, and make a leak more likely. Clearing the snow or making sure that any water as a result of the snow melt is moved away from your home is key.

2. Stop rain from entering your home through basement windows.

If you have below-grade basement windows, consider using window well covers. They are an effective solution to preventing rain water from coming into the house through those windows.

3. Exterior maintenance.

Clearing your gutters of all debris, extending your downspout lines away from the foundation and regarding the soil away from your home are easy ways to ensure proper water flow so that your home stays dry. If you have below-grade basement windows, window well covers are also an effective solution to prevent rain water from entering the inside of the home.

4. Maintain your Sump Pump System.

If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure that it is plugged in and working properly. When installed correctly and in working order, your sump pump can collect water and push it outside of the house. It is important to clean and inspect your system each spring before the heavy rains begin.

5. Understand your insurance policy.

Carefully check your insurance policy to see if common plumbing leaks or water damage is covered. Standard policies don’t usually cover flooding, and may require additional coverage.

6. Know who to call in the event of a flood or emergency.

A reputable contractor will be able to help if your basement does flood. Check their references and make sure their program includes emergency response so that your house is a priority during a flood or other time of need.