Winterize Your Home

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.
By |2024-01-15T09:52:46-06:00January 12th, 2024|Archive|

Trail Closure

Walking trails between Pine Falls and Sunny Ridge will be closed due to ongoing construction. Harris County Flood Control District is currently performing repairs to the drainage ditch as part of its Addicks Watershed Repair Package 1. The section of trail highlighted on the map will be repaired where erosion and slope failures have occurred. Additional repairs also include storm outfall pipe replacements. The walking trail in this area will be closed off to the public while the work is being performed and will be reopened once repairs are completed. We apologize for the inconvenience during this time as these long awaited repairs are being made. Please contact H2O Consulting for any inquiries into this project at 281-861-6215.

By |2023-12-19T13:14:03-06:00May 17th, 2023|Archive|

Trail Closure

Walking trails West of Park Falls Bridge will be closed due to ongoing construction. Harris County Flood Control District is currently performing repairs to the drainage ditch as a part of its Addicks Watershed Repair Package 1. The section of trail highlighted on the map will repaired where erosion and slope failures have occurred. Additional repairs also include concrete structures and storm outfall failures. The walking trail in this area will be closed off to the public while the work is being performed and will be reopened once repairs are completed. We apologize for the inconvenience during this time as these long awaited repairs are being made. Please contact H2O Consulting for any inquiries into this project at 281-861-6215.

By |2023-05-17T18:25:33-05:00January 13th, 2023|Archive|

Hurricane Preparedness 2022

Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1.


Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing how to handle them. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding and if you’re safe to remain in your home.


Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. You may also need to leave if you live in a flood prone area or in a mobile home outside a hurricane evacuation zone. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.

You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well built home outside flood prone areas. Remember, your safest place may be to remain home. Be sure to account for your pets in your plan.

As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.


Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.

If you need to go to a public shelter, follow health guidelines from your local officials and the CDC.


Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it.

Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.


Whether you’re evacuating, or planning to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications to withstand wind impacts. Many retrofits are not as costly or time consuming as you may think.

Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.

If you’re a renter, work with your landlord now to prepare your home for a storm.


Many people rely on their neighbors before and after a disaster, and there are many ways you can help them. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes.

Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.


The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions.

Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now. Being prepared before a hurricane threatens makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between being a hurricane victim or a hurricane survivor.

By |2022-11-30T17:30:30-06:00May 11th, 2022|Archive|

Holiday Update – 11/18/2021

With the holidays upon us we would like to remind you that fireworks are NOT allowed on the bayous.  It is posted on the signs leading to our trails.  Unfortunately some residents disobey this rule hence the reminder.  We are aware they are allowed in Harris County but the bayous are off bounds.  Please abide by this simple rule.  If you are aware of someone using fireworks on the bayous, you can contact the non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s office.  Please be aware though that they are very busy during the holidays and might not be able to respond in a timely manner.   Thank you for your cooperation.

By |2022-01-04T00:03:04-06:00November 22nd, 2021|Archive|

Tree Limbs and Debris in Bayou

Please do not throw tree limbs and other debris on the tops and sides of the bayou. Your tax payer dollars and that of your neighbors has to pay for their removal. This is money that can be used to maintain the trails and bayous. The limbs need to be cut in 3 or 4 foot lengths, bundled and placed at the curb on your regular trash days. Other yard debris needs to be bagged and placed at the curb also.

These simple things can make it more pleasurable for all the residents to enjoy our trails and the better use of your tax dollars.

By |2024-01-15T09:56:40-06:00October 13th, 2021|Archive|

Sidewalk and Trail Repairs

We are pleased to announce the trail repairs behind the new construction of the Stonecreek facility (where the racquet club was previously) have been completed.

Also, Harris County has finished the sidewalk and trail repairs near Lowery Elementary.

We thank you for your patience and hope you will enjoy having the uninterrupted trail system again. With cooler weather soon, it will be the perfect time to explore our community and enjoy the outdoors!

By |2021-12-15T13:03:19-06:00August 18th, 2021|Archive|

REMINDER!

It has been brought to our attention that a resident was using fireworks on the bayou this past July Fourth. This is illegal as posted on the signs leading to the trails. Please be considerate and obey the rules established for our trail network.

By |2021-12-15T13:01:16-06:00July 9th, 2021|Archive|
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