With freezing temperatures right around the corner, it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on precautionary measures for drops in temperature and cold weather.

The Four P’s to Prepare your Home this Winter:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• Plants

People

• Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
• To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
• Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

• While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
• Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
• If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
• If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
• If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

• Turn off the sprinkler system shut-off valve. Most residential devices have two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue on the valve handles and located before and after the sprinkler system backflow device. A diagram is shown below.
• Release the water pressure from the bleeder valves. The bleeder valves are usually located under the top of the backflow device. If the water does not stop flowing you may have not shut the valves off completely.
• Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware/home services stores carry backflow insulation supplies.
• Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip as long as they are wrapped tightly.
• You can also open up the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

• When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all of your outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Other Tips

• Don’t forget to make sure your car is okay for the freezing temperatures. Check your anti-freeze and your batteries. Also make sure to check your tire pressure and the tread.
• Speaking of cars, make sure when you are on the road that you are mindful parts of the roads may be frozen, particularly bridges. Do not speed and never slam on the brakes.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

Trash Collection Guidelines – Harris County WCID No. 84

Provider: Best Trash beginning October 1, 2025

Collection Days: Every Wednesday & Saturday

Time: Please place trash at the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Regular Trash Collection

• Use the 95-gallon Best Trash cart (black with red lid).
• Limit: One cart per household.
• Additional refuse allowed in: Bags (≤ 40 lbs)
• Containers (30–50 gallons)
• All items must be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m.

Excluded Items-Best Trash will not collect:

• Construction debris, hazardous waste, liquids (e.g., paint, oil)
• Dirt, rocks, bricks, concrete, tires, batteries
• Contractor-generated waste

Spillage from hidden liquids may result in stains. Best Trash is not responsible for cleanup. Non-collected items will be tagged with an explanation.

Heavy Trash & Yard Waste-Collected every service day:

• Yard waste: ≤ 4″ diameter, ≤ 4′ long, tied bundles ≤ 40 lbs
• Limit: Up to 5 tied bundles per collection day
• Large items (e.g., furniture, mattresses): Max 2 per collection day
• Carpet: ≤ 1 room, cut ≤ 4′ wide, tied bundles ≤ 40 lbs
• Appliances with Freon: Must be drained and include a receipt

Special Collection Service-For large volumes of trash or bulk items:

• Email: customerservice@besttrashtexas.com
• Include: District name, address, and photos of items

Cart Maintenance

• One cart provided per residence
• Replacement for wear & tear: Free
• Lost/stolen cart: $85 + tax
• Contact: customerservice@besttrashtexas.com

Holiday Schedule

If collection falls on:

• New Year’s Day
• Independence Day
• Christmas Day Service will resume on the next scheduled collection day

Contact Best Trash

Phone: 281-313-2378

Website: www.best-trash.com Use our Chat Feature

Email: customerservice@besttrashtexas.com

When I turn on the faucet, the water sputters. Why?

• You have air in your lines. Turn on your tap slowly and run the water until the sputtering stops.

The water is discolored. What should I do?

• Flush water pipes by running the water until it is clear.
• Do not wash clothes if the water is discolored. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap. Wash a load of dark clothes first.

Why does my water have a strong smell?

• The smell is probably chlorine. Often, water systems will increase chlorine levels to disinfect the pipes.

What should I do if my water pressure is low?

• Check the faucet screens for trapped particles. Remove the screens and clean out any particles. Put the screens back on the faucet.

Do I need to clean out my faucets?

• Yes. You should flush your faucets after the drinking water advisory.
• Turn on the main water valve.
• Turn on the cold water tap at all faucets and run the water until you feel a change in temperature (i.e. the water gets noticeably colder). This may take several minutes. Begin with the faucet that is highest up in your home or building and then open the other faucets one at a time moving from the highest floor to the lowest.

Do I need to clean appliances?

• Yes. Read the owner’s manual for directions to clean appliances such as water softeners and filter units.

My refrigerator has a water dispenser/ice maker. Do I need to clean them?

• Yes. Water dispensers and ice makers are connected to your water line. You need to flush and clean them.
• Follow the directions in the owner’s manual or:
• Change the filter cartridges.
• Throw out ice.
• Flush the water dispenser for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Run the ice maker for 1 hour.
• Throw out all the ice.
• Wash and sanitize bin areas.

Do I need to do something for the water softener?

• Yes. You may need to run through a regeneration cycle. Follow the directions in the owner’s manual.

I have a water treatment unit for the house. Does it need special care?

• Yes. Change the filter cartridges. Some units need disinfecting. Follow the directions in the unit’s owner’s manual.

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