Fall Newsletter

October, 2013

As we reach out to our valued customers this Fall, we are pleased to report that the Building and Remodeling business in our area continues to improve and grow. In fact in the Barrington and Deer Park area, where Dawson's major customer focus is, business is booming! We are very blessed with business as Dawson weathered the downturn strongly and we had an extremely busy Spring and Summer.

We expect continued growth throughout the remainder of the year. As we continue to grow, our goal is to provide a high quality product at a competitive price. However, our rapid growth was affecting our project speed. As a result, we have rescaled Dawson to support our expanded customer base----We recently hired quality employees and contracted with new subs to continue to serve our customers with the quality and speed that you derserve.

As an existing customer, we would like to thank you for serving as the foundation of our growth. And as always, thank you for your wonderful referrals and your partnership with our trades, our sub contractors, our vendors, and our sales & design team.

This Newsletter includes:

Dawson Creates a new Warranty

"What Furnace Filter Should I Buy?"

Dawson Builders Give Back

Dawson Offers New Service Check Ups

Restore, Donate, Shop, Volunteer

Let us know if you have any home improvement questions. Stop in our Design Center in Downtown Barrington at 113 North Cook Street. If you are looking to start a new project, check out our state-of-the-art technology and view life-like 3D pictures. It is a unique way to design kitchens, bathrooms, basements, windows, home siding and much more!

Thanks for continued support!

Sincerely,

Dawson Builders

Dawson Creates a New Warranty

Every day we have been delivering on the Dawson vision of "one phone call for anything in your home." Customers are calling us for various home services. This includes anything from fixing a light switch, to building an addition on their home.

When building a new home, the home owner gets a "General Contractor" who handles all aspects of the building process. Once the home is built, the new owner is forced to contact each trade separately by using the yellow pages, local blogs or Angie's list. If something goes wrong after the General Contractor finishes and has been paid....good luck getting them to come back and fix the problem.

With Dawson Builders there is "one phone call for everything in your house" AND we warrant that the work is done right. With "one phone call" comes a multi-year labor warranty. Materials and products will follow the manufacturer's warranty.

Let Dawson Builders be your Angie's list. We not only vet out the subs and employees to assure you receive a quality project, but we will also stand behind their work with a multi-year warranty.

Standard Filter

Speciality Filter

Targeted Particles

"What Furnace Filter Should I Buy?"

As we head into the colder months, both your furnace and humidifier filters need to be changed.

With so many filter choices, do you wonder which furnace filter to purchase?
Should you buy the more expensive filter that traps the pollen and pet dander or the standard furnace filter? (See Photos in left margin)
What does MERV mean?
What size furnace filter do you need?
How often should you change the filters?

Now is a good time to test your furnace for the Winter-- Avoid an expensive emergency service call when you actually need the heater later.
If changed frequently enough, the less expensive standard filter would typically be the better option.
Unless your home warrants the higher cost filter, such as allergies, selecting the lower cost, standard filter with more frequent changes is a less expensive solution that is easier on your furnace.
Filters are labeled with the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) that measures the filter's ability to trap particles ranging from size 3.0 to 10.0 microns. The rating is set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). MERV ratings range from 1-11.

6 MERV= 35 - 50% minimum efficient at capturing particles
8 MERV= 70 - 85% minimum efficient at capturing particles
11 MERV= 85 -95% minimum efficient at capturing particles
If you have a standard 1 inch wide air filter, the higher the MERV= less air flow

The size of the furnace filter is written on the side of the filter in your furnace. (i.e. 16x24 or 20x26)
The suggested interval for changing filters is every 4-6 weeks during the high use periods.

Dawson Builders Gives Back

Dawson Builders and local community leaders are creating a 501C3 company for Charity Builds throughout the country, focused in NW Chicago. This new company is called "The Build" and will help those in need from a building perspective. These projects will be funded by local donations and Dawson Builders. The mission of this new company is to help those in need, while at the same time training second chance individuals learn skills they can use to obtain jobs as carpenters, roofers, dry-wallers, etc. The projects thus far this year:

January and February, 2013- John and his team built offices for Samaritan Counseling Center in Barrington.

Currently- "The Build" is helping a couple in need in Third Lake, IL. He has cancer and she lost her job, and the city was planning to evict the couple due to the conditions of their roof. Sections of the house walls and floors need to be rebuilt due to months of water damage, expanding the original scope of the project.

Planned- John is leaving on Friday, with members of the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, for a long weekend to build a teenage foster bunk house in Rose Bud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Dawson Offers New Service "Check Ups"

Just like we all need to schedule a yearly "check up" to help maintain our health...we also need to conduct regular home "check ups" to properly maintain it and reduce the risk of safety concerns or expensive repairs. Dawson Builders is now offering a Fall and Spring Home "Check Up" Service at the cost of $195 for each season. Call us if you have any questions or suggested areas of focus for you to feel safer in your home.

1) Furnace and AC Check List

Fall Indoor Unit Inspection

Inspect and clean blower assembly, includes blower housing and blower wheel and motor
Lubricate motor, inspect and replace fan belt as needed
Check and clean combustion blower housing for lint and debris
Inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines
Inspect for gas leaks in gas furnaces
Inspect burner assembly, clean and adjust as needed
Inspect ignition system and safety controls
Inspect heat exchanger or heating elements
Inspect flue system
Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
Clean or replace air filters
Inspect conditioned airflow system and ductwork, check for leaks

Inspection While System is Operating

Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities
Inspect for unusual odors or noises
Monitor air conditioning and heat sump pump systems for appropriate refrigerant charge
Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature
Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature
Measure high and low side system pressures
Monitor and adjust gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure
Measure temperature rise and adjust airflow as needed
Check vent system for correct line and load volts/amps
Provide system operation report and recommend repairs as necessary

Spring Outdoor Unit Inspection

Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level
Clean dirt, leaves, debris from inside cabinet
Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings
Inspect and clean coil and cabinet
Inspect fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage
Inspect control box, associated controls and accessories, wiring and connections
Inspect compressor and associated tubing for damage

2) Sump Pump Check List

Ensure the grounded three-pring receptacle installed 18 inches above floor
Test Ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) where applicable
Check for any corrosion, damage, or blockage of pump components
Inspect sump pit for any silt or debris that may obstruct the float or clog the pump
Ensure the pump is positioned properly for easy movement of the float
Set the float height to the start the pump at a lower/higher level as needed
Check the drain line from the pump to the termination point on the exterior for signs of corrosion, holes, damage or signs of leakage
Ensure the line is secured every three feet
Inspect check valve
Confirm the pump plug is securely plugged directly into the receptacle
Run water into the pit to confirm the pump turns on and off properly
Check the drain line and connections for any leaks
Check the outside drain line discharge point
Inspect freeze and blockage overflow
Run water into the pit to confirm the back up pump turns on and off properly
Inspect the battery back up and battery level on maintenance batteries
Inspect the back up pump is free of obstructions
Test water alarm on back up

3) Electrical Check List

Test Smoke detectors and show home owner how to test them
Test Carbon Monoxide detector
Check panel for any burnt wires or damaged circuit breakers
Check all closets and storage areas for proper lights vs. exposed bulbs
Discuss any circuits that typically trip
Check extension cords
Verify light bulbs are correctly sized
Check aged wiring in the home

4) Hot Water Heater Check List

Inspect flue system
Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
Check for water leaks

Restore...Donate, Shop, Volunteer

Are you looking for a place to take extra supply items? Restore accepts donations of home improvement supplies and building materials from individuals, manufacturers, contractors, retailers, and distributors.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley

800 N. State Street, Elgin, IL 60123
p. 847-742-9905
www.ReStoreElgin.org

NOW A DROP-OFF FACILITY FOR ELECTRONIC RECYCLING!
computers - monitors - TVs -printers - fax machines - VCR/DVD players -
laptops - telephones - cell phones - microwave ovens - key boards - stereos

Stay Connected

Check out the Dawson Builders Web Site!

Dawson Builders

113 North Cook Street

Barrington, IL 60010

847- 846-4463