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 With summer upon us, there are sure to be many travelers on the road for vacation. As always, there are numerous precautions to take when traveling; however, there are always dangers that we don’t usually think about. The condition of your windshield and its structural integrity is often overlooked when preparing for travel, but its importance is greater than you might think.
What you might now know:
- Your windshield acts as a “backstop” for passenger airbags. Should an accident occur, the passenger side airbag deploys upward at speeds of up to 200mph, bouncing off of the windshield to protect the passenger. A crack or chip in your windshield can negatively affect its ability to withstand pressures such as those produced by an airbag, which could cause a faulty deployment and serious injury or death.
- In the event of an accident, your windshield is designed to prevent you and your passengers from being ejected from the vehicle. However, the windshield may fail if your windshield is cracked, chipped or poorly installed, subjecting you to ejection, serious injury or death.
- If your vehicle is involved in a roll-over accident, your windshield is responsible for supporting the roof, which can prevent it from caving in. Any damage to the structure of the windshield can have an immense impact on the strength and reliability of it, compromising the safety of everyone in the vehicle.
- With this in mind, inspect your windshield before getting back on the road to summer fun. Should your windshield have a crack, chip or poor installation, visit the nearest Glass Doctor® for professional repairs and installations.
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 (From Left to Right): Randy Clark, Caitlin Reedy, Vannah Sibley, Larry Patterson, Alora Huff, Scott Goldsworth and Brandon Yanskey. By purchasing and wearing Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) “Share the Love” t-shirts May 17, Glass Doctor of North Texas helped pay for approximately 30 nights of free stays for families with sick or injured children staying in area hospitals.
The Ronald McDonald House program provides a home-away-from-home, so families can stay close by their hospitalized child. RMHD suggests a contribution of $15 per night to offset the costs of lodging, meals, transportation and other services.
“The whole shop wore the shirts to help fund the house, as well as bring awareness to Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and their mission,” Glass Doctor of North Texas franchise owner Larry Patterson said. “RMHD is an amazing organization, and we’re proud to be able to support them in any way we can.”
In 2012, Patterson, the reigning Glass Doctor Franchisee of the Year, joined with nearly 90 other Glass Doctor franchisees to raise more than $13,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at The Dwyer Group, Inc.® 2012 Reunion.
Glass Doctor and its sister companies in The Dwyer Group (Aire Serv LLC, The Grounds Guys LLC, Mr. Appliance LLC, Mr. Electric LLC, Mr. Rooter LLC and Rainbow International LLC) are national supporters of Ronald McDonald House Charities®. As part of their support, franchise owners continue to donate their services, labor and supplies to Ronald McDonald Houses in their respective service areas.
For more information about Glass Doctor of North Texas, visit the website at www.glassdoctor.com/Dallas or www.glassdoctordfw.com. For more information on Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and how you can support the charity, visit www.rmhdallas.org. For those not in Dallas who would like to support Ronald McDonald House Charities, visit www.rmhc.org.
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 For 10 years, Glass Doctor of North Texas has been a leader in the glass reparation and replacement industry, focusing on hard work, accountability and a commitment to exemplary service.
Owner and operator of Glass Doctor of North Texas, Larry Patterson, purchased his franchise in 2003, hitting the ground running and with a goal in mind.
“I knew I wanted my team to earn the title of Franchisee of the Year,” stated Patterson. “To me, it shows a team commitment to excellence and achievement. The only way to earn the title of Franchisee of the Year is to have complete buy-in from everyone on the team and a commitment to doing your best, every day.”
In 2012, Patterson achieved his goal, and his team brought home the Franchisee of the Year designation.
“For the last 10 years, we have all worked hard to build something to be proud of,” said Patterson. “It shows that the right people, in the right place, committed to doing the right thing is a very powerful combination.”
In his 10 years as a franchise owner, Patterson has earned numerous awards including serving on the Glass Doctor Leadership and Advisory Councils and earning the Top 20 Leaders Under 40 designation from Glass Magazine, all culminating in earning the honor of receiving Franchisee of the Year in 2012.
For more information, visit the website at www.glassdoctor.com/northtexas.
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 The Dwyer Group introduces the Women in the Trades initiative, focused on providing financial assistance to women entering the service trade industry. This includes home service fields, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance repair, home restoration, glass installation and landscaping.
“We have 1,600 franchisees representing our brands worldwide, but fewer than 7% are owned by female sole proprietors and fewer than 4% of our front-line service professionals are women,” said The Dwyer Group CEO and Chairwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens. “We are excited to open this opportunity for women interested in trade professions to further their curiosity, expertise and experience.”
The trade industry has historically been a male-dominated career path. Often, women are unaware of the potential for success and personal fulfillment, which can be achieved by working as a trade technician. Studies have shown that females in the home are often the lead decision-makers when it comes to home maintenance. This inherent familiarity with the target audience gives a female trades expert a unique industry advantage.
“Countless women have lost good jobs and we are now recruiting them as franchisees or as front-line plumbers, electricians, grounds care experts, restoration specialists and appliance, HVAC and glass installation and repair technicians within our seven home service brands,” said Dwyer-Owens. “It makes sense to offer women interested in either changing their career paths or further pursuing their career in these industries the opportunity to become the best of the best through thorough training and education.”
The Women in the Trades Scholarship is open to women 18 and older, interested in pursuing a career in the trades. Qualified candidates who are actively pursuing a degree or certification in a trade are encouraged to apply. Candidates will be evaluated based upon financial need, previous work experience and their passion for their chosen industry. For more information and to apply: http://www.dwyergroup.com/women-in-trades.asp or email WITT [at] dwyergroup [dot] com.
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 Glass Doctor has purchased repair items, including tarps plywood, roofing materials and two-by-fours to aid in recovery efforts.
The supplies will be available to any resident of West, TX in need of home repairs. Glass Doctor franchisees and technicians have volunteered their services to aid residents in the boarding and reparation of their homes.
The supplies donated by Glass Doctor are available by contacting Laura at Point West Bank.
“We have franchisees and technicians who have volunteered to help the residents of West get their homes boarded up, so they can begin the reparation process,” stated Mark Liston, President of Glass Doctor.
“One of our employees, who resides in West, had her windows blown out, and a Glass Doctor franchisee, Doug Dotson, went to her home hours after the explosion to board them up.”
Jennifer Wright, an employee of Glass Doctor’s parent company, The Dwyer Group, was the recipient of this swift and charitable response.“We were sitting in a chair by the window at the time of the explosion. My house is about 3,000 feet from the plant. However, my sister-in-law is just up the street from the apartment complex and her roof caved in – they have lost everything.”
“It has been a week of tragedies for our country. Although this disaster happened closer to home, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the horrific events of the week,” states Dina Dwyer-Owens, owner and CEO of The Dwyer Group. “I’m amazed by the outpouring of care and humbled by the overwhelming desire to help from our employees, franchisees, families and friends. This is a time for doing what we do best, and helping others when they need it the most. And our Code of Values® is leading the way.”
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The purchase of a car, even one that is second hand, is a big decision. After all, it is one of the biggest expenses you have, and is often representative of who you are. With the thousands of dollars forked out for insurance and repairs – you want to make sure you do all you can to increase the lifespan of your vehicle’s glass.
- When cleaning, it’s better to avoid ammonia-based products. Look for cleaners stating they are safe on window-tint film.
- Use a glass-cleaning microfiber towel to gently scrub dirt and debris away. Dampen the towel lightly and clean the glass.
- The glass should be the last thing you clean on the vehicle to avoid re-contaminating it during the detailing process.
- Spend extra time on the windshield because you look through it more than the rest of the windows.
- Roll down your windows about half way so you can clean the top edges of the glass.
- The best way to avoid water spots is by drying your vehicle each and every time it gets wet. (At least dry it after washing and after rain showers.)
- Use a quality glass polish to remove water spots and cloudiness to restore window clarity.
- Clean windshield wipers regularly, just like you do with the windshield itself. You can prolong their life by purchasing wiper products that will keep the rubber soft and more efficient.
- Make sure to get windshield chips fixed right away. This is inexpensive and prevents needing a full, costly windshield replacement.
So there you have it, the tips that will need to make sure your auto glass is nice, clean and safe. The good thing is you can handle most of them yourself!
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 Windows are more than just a great way to see what the weather is like outside. Not only do they provide warmth and light, they also have an impact on how energy efficient your home is, or isn’t!
Heating and cooling costs can be affected just based on the type of windows you have. If you have an older home and new windows were never an upgrade, it may make more sense to get new windows instead of just trying to improve upon the existing windows. New windows will lower heating and cooling costs, eventually covering the initial cost.
Storm windows can reduce the amount of air leaking out and remove drafts. Weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors can assist in this as well. Weather-stripping is designed for things that move such as doors and windows that open. Use caulk where gaps exist.
Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to select different options with regards to curtains and blinds. Window treatments can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Often Energy Star approved windows can eve be zoned for your area you know they can withstand the climate you may regularly endure. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating and cooling costs.
Energy efficient windows not only reduce home energy costs and drafts but can reduce noise and help increase light in the home. Don’t forget about skylights and doors as well. Window replacement in skylights can help reduce condensation that builds up in older models.
If you would like to have a home audit done to see if your windows are energy efficient, or letting your money leak out the door, give us a call!
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Glass Doctor of the Triangle is collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in March and April. The shop, located at 5912 Triangle Dr. in Raleigh, is the drop-off location for the donations.
“It is a blessing to help those less fortunate through the food bank,” Wayne Gaudette of Glass Doctor of the Triangle said. “This is a great community, and we’re proud to be a part of it and help however we can.”
Glass Doctor of the Triangle has five coupons available on their website, www.glassdoctortriangle.com, which can be redeemed with the donation of five or more canned goods. The coupons include $25 off auto glass replacement and $85 off shower doors more than $650, in addition to three other offers.
The company plans to host a food drive each quarter of 2013. For more information about Glass Doctor charitable giving or to schedule an appointment, contact Glass Doctor of the Triangle at (919) 571-3350 or www.glassdoctortriangle.com. You can also visit www.facebook.com/glassdoctortriangle.com.
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For the fourth consecutive year, the franchise companies of The Dwyer Group, Inc. have committed $100,000 to its “Charity of Choice,” Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).
In addition to donating $100,000 to the Charity in 2012, the companies’ franchises donated more than $150,000 through in-kind donations at Ronald McDonald Houses across North America.
“Being in the home services industry, our brands are a natural fit for RMHC because we can provide the in-kind services their Ronald McDonald Houses need to stay in good working condition,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO and chairwoman of The Dwyer Group. “We feel this has been the perfect relationship with a charity, and we look forward to another year of helping RMHC provide stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy.”
The Dwyer Group, Inc., is a holding company of the seven franchise businesses Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® and Rainbow International®.
RMHC was established in memory of McDonald’s founder and franchise icon Ray Kroc, a strong advocate for children, in 1984. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a “home-away-from-home” so families can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. .
“The families that RMHC supports derive strength from each other, volunteers, staff and corporate donors like The Dwyer Group,” said Timothy Kennedy, Sr. Director of Development, RMHC. “On behalf of the more than 12, 000 children and families we serve every day through RMHC family-centered programs, I thank The Dwyer Group for this amazing commitment to our families.”
Funded by corporate donors and individual support, the charity’s 324 Houses are located in 32 countries around the world.
“The Dwyer Group’s generosity and donation of goods, services and cash will go to support core programs, like the Ronald McDonald House which empowers families while facing the illness of a child,” Kennedy said. “Our programs allow families to focus on what’s most important, their child.”
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1138027#ixzz2O7SFVgQF
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It is spring, but along with the blooming of flowers and warmer weather comes the daunting task of spring cleaning. It’s time to open the windows and tackle those chores with these six tips from Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Rooter® and Rainbow International®.
Dishwasher
According to Mr. Appliance, a dishwasher can be cleaned using a small brush dipped in hot soapy water. With the brush, clean the grooves in the rubber seal by going around the door of the dishwasher. Then, place a dishwasher-safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a normal cycle.
Refrigerator
Using a hand-held vacuum, remove the dust from coils underneath or on the backside of the fridge. Accumulated dust can cause the motor to overheat and increase the cost of running the appliance.
Sink
To achieve a fresh smelling sink, keep leftover citrus peels. Mr. Rooter recommends putting a cupful of ice cubes as well as citrus peels in the garbage disposal. Turn on cold water and then the disposal for 15 to 30 seconds. Then, turn off the disposal and continue to rinse with hot water for 15 seconds.
Windows
When washing windows, wipe vertically outside and horizontally inside, so any missed areas can quickly be spotted. Glass Doctor, suggests drying the windows as you go with a squeegee or a micro-fiber towel to avoid water spots.
Air Conditioner
Have your central air conditioning system inspected by a HVAC professional, like Aire Serv, before the summer hits. The air conditioner keeps your home cool and it dehumidifies to keep mold from growing inside the walls. Clean or replace air filters monthly to help the AC unit run more efficiently. Remove shrubs, grass and leaves from the condenser coil and within three feet of outside unit.
Rain Gutters
Although often forgotten, rain gutters are important for home defense against storms. According to Rainbow International, water from rain can erode soil around the foundation, splash dirt onto the siding and leak into the basement causing expensive damage.
Utilizing these simple tips in your spring cleaning arsenal can help save you time, frustration and money down the line. Not to mention, you can rest easy in a clean and healthy home.
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