} Continued from cover
With all these potential leak sources,
there is a good chance you have
an undetected leak, water damage
or even mold in your home. What
should you do?
First, take a good look around.
The most common sign of a leak is
discolored wood, drywall or flooring.
A musty, damp odor is also an
indication of unwanted moisture and
should be investigated.
If you see mold growing on any
surface inside or outside your
home, don’t ignore it. It is a sign of
prolonged exposure to moisture or
high humidity.
Grandma’s Chicken
Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups wide egg noodles
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
12 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup chopped celery
If you have an attic, inspect the roof
decking. Dark spots, mold or musty
odors indicate there is a leak. Where
pipes, vents and chimneys penetrate
the roof, look for daylight, which is
a sign the flashing or boots need to
be sealed, caulked or replaced. If you
suspect a leak, contact a qualified
roofing contractor for an inspection.
One way to check for plumbing
leaks is to turn off all faucets and
water-consuming appliances like
your icemaker. Then go to the water
meter and take a picture of the
reading. Go run some errands for an
hour or two, making sure that no one
uses any water in the home. Check
the meter when you get back. If you
have a leak, the meter will show that
water was consumed.
Look around the perimeter of your
house – inside and out – for swollen
or warped baseboards, deteriorated
paint and rotted wood. Carefully
check around windows and doors,
both inside and out, for cracks,
decayed wood and missing caulk.
Also remember the damage is usually
worse than it appears. A small
amount of mold on a wall surface
may be the only clue there is a major
mold problem inside the wall cavity.
ABC Restoration is here to help
correct any moisture or mold related
problems in your home or business.
If you suspect you have a problem,
call us. We use special inspection
equipment that makes it much easier
for us to pinpoint the problem and
propose a solution. Don’t wait until
that tiny leak becomes a major
headache.
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted
water to a boil. Add egg noodles
and oil, and boil for 8 minutes,
or until tender. Drain, and rinse
under cool running water.
2. In a large saucepan or Dutch
oven, combine broth, salt, and
poultry seasoning. Bring to a
boil. Stir in celery and onion.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer
15 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch
and water together until
cornstarch is completely
dissolved. Gradually add to soup,
stirring constantly. Stir in noodles
and chicken, and heat through.
recipe courtesy allrecipes.com
OCTOBER 2015
Making Playgrounds Safer
If you have a child who has recently
headed back to school, take
some time to inspect the school
playground and outdoor activity
areas. The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission reports there
are about 20 playground-related
fatalities each year, and over
200,000 children suffer injuries on
a playground annually. Eighty-one
percent of all playground injuries
occur as a result of a fall.
One proven method for reducing
these injuries is by installing softer
ground coverings. However, it is
estimated that as many as 92
percent of American playgrounds do
not have adequate ground cover.
One innovative, non-toxic surface
is made of shredded and recycled
tires. This material outperforms all
other surface materials in impact
absorption. The material can be
produced in a variety of colors and
lasts for up to 50 years, saving in
maintenance costs for schools.
If your child’s playground has a
hard, dangerous surface, take the
time to talk to your school official,
requesting that a material such as
recycled tires be used to replace the
ground cover. It is a good idea to
educate other parents and teachers
on ways the playground can be made
as safe as possible, starting from the
ground up.