Getting Ready to Use Your Heating System This Winter

Happy November! It really is hard to believe that 2021 is almost over. Thanksgiving is a little more than 3 weeks away. That also means Christmas is a mere 52 days away.

While the excitement of the holidays is approaching, there is also cold and freezing weather that is also coming (if it isn’t already there!). For us in the South, most of us welcome a cold front, but before you turn on your heater, you need to prepare accordingly.

Did you know that the one of the most common causes of home or business fires is turning on your furnace after it’s been off for a while? Before you make the switch, there are several factors that you should consider.

Change out your air filter or make sure that it is clean! Proper air filtration is essential for keeping your furnace running correctly. This also improves Indoor Air Quality. Your furnace and duct system are responsible for circulating warm air throughout your home. If you have a dirty filter or your furnace is struggling to keep up, your air quality can be negatively affected, and it has to work harder to heat your home. This often leads to overheating and system malfunction.

You should also test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is especially important if you have a battery powered system in place. Brush the dust off of them and make sure you switch out old batteries.

Tidy up the area around your furnace. Make sure there are no big boxes, totes, other flammable objects or belongings stored too close or stacked near the system. It is also important to mop and sweep the floor. Wiping around it with a rag or paper towel will lessen the potential burnt smell.

Make sure that no furniture or objects are blocking the heating vents throughout your home or facility.

Does your heater vent out of the sidewall of your home or through a chimney? Clear this of all debris that could potentially be a fire hazard.

Don’t wait until it gets really cold to test your heating system, the earlier the better. It’s better to do a pre-season check to get any issues fixed beforehand!

Turning Your Furnace On

Whenever you turn your heater on for the first time in a season, it is normal for you to smell a burnt scent. You can just imagine all of the dust that has settled in your vents as the hotter months have gone by. All of this immediately burns when you turn on your furnace. If the smell lingers for more than a few hours, you should have it evaluated by a professional. In addition, if the heater is seemingly struggling to run or making unusual noises, you should turn it off. It is likely that the blower needs to be serviced.

The Team That’s Always There

Guarantee Restoration Services has been the leading property damage restoration company along the Gulf Coast since 1974. We understand that no matter how much you prepare or maintain your heating system, sometimes accidents happen. No matter the size of the fire loss, our team at Guarantee Restoration Services has one goal – to get your property and business back to normal operations as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We are available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. For more information about our services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com. If you have a water, fire or mold loss, please give us a call at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@guaranteerestoration.net.

Zack Klein

Director of Marketing and Business Development

zack@guaranteerstoration.net

225-268-6939

Zack Klein is the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Guarantee Restoration Services. He celebrated his 7th anniversary with the company in June 2021. To connect with him, visit LinkedIn or send him an email.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Meet The Team | Christy Jones Huff

By Christina Mullins • February 12, 2025

At Guarantee Restoration Services, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This month, we’re excited to introduce Christy Jones Huff , a Business Development Representative at our Jackson, Mississippi Branch who joined the team just over a year ago in January 2024 . From Property Management to Business Development Christy’s journey to GRS started long before she stepped through our doors. A Jackson State University graduate , she earned her degree in Mass Communications/Public Relations with a minor in Marketing . She then spent 19 years as a property manager , gaining invaluable experience in building relationships and problem-solving, which are skills that now serve her well in business development. It is safe to say that she is well-versed in the multifamily vertical that we serve, but she also works with several other industries, such as state entities and housing authorities. Life Outside of Work Originally from Farmhaven, MS , Christy stays busy outside of work with a full house. She’s married, a proud mom to a college-aged son, and spends most of her free time keeping up with a very active toddler —a job she jokingly refers to as "taming a toddler." When she finds a rare quiet moment, she enjoys crafting, though she explained that those moments are few and far between these days.

Guarantee Restoration Services Expands Leadership Role as Managing Partner for W.B. Arthur Restoration in Austin, Texas

By Shawn Folks • February 5, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein, Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Expands Leadership Role as Managing Partner for W.B. Arthur Restoration in Austin, Texas BATON ROUGE, La. – February 5, 2025 – Guarantee Restoration Services has entered into an agreement to serve as the managing partner for W.B. Arthur Restoration, a leading restoration and facility maintenance provider in Austin, Texas. This partnership marks a significant step in Guarantee Restoration’s ongoing expansion throughout the South and Gulf Coast region. Guarantee Restoration Services will oversee management operations in Austin, working closely with W.B. Arthur Restoration to enhance systems, streamline processes, and position the company for long-term growth. This collaboration reinforces Guarantee Restoration’s commitment to delivering industry-leading restoration services, while expanding its footprint across new markets. “We’re embarking on a remarkable journey that will create new pathways for innovation, growth, and leadership in the marketplace,” said Shawn Folks, CEO of Guarantee Restoration Services. “Our people are the reason we are able to form these types of partnerships. I’m excited to see where we go from here.” This strategic partnership aligns with Guarantee Restoration’s pattern of growth across the Gulf South, having established a strong presence in six markets across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. By bringing its expertise in restoration management to W.B. Arthur Restoration, they aim to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in the Austin Metro Region. About W.B. Arthur Restoration W.B. Arthur Restoration provides a wide range of property maintenance and restoration services, including water damage restoration, facility maintenance, air duct cleaning, and carpet cleaning. Serving the greater Austin Metro Region, W.B. Arthur Restoration is dedicated to ensuring homes and businesses receive the highest level of care, even in the most difficult-to-reach places. About Guarantee Restoration Services For over 50 years, Guarantee Restoration Services has been a trusted name in the restoration industry, consistently expanding its services and market presence along the Gulf Coast. The company’s mission is to support communities in need by offering reliable restoration solutions, maintaining honest and dependable service, and ensuring stability for businesses and homeowners. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit http://www.GuaranteeRestoration.com /.

Prioritizing Infection Control in Baton Rouge Healthcare Facilities

By Shawn Folks • February 5, 2025

Hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities require the highest levels of cleanliness and sanitation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

VIEW ALL BLOGS