Maintenance Tips from Public Works

Lawn Maintenance

We all love our lawns, and we just love when they look lush and green. But living in Texas, what's a good gauge during the hot summers of when to water and how much is too much?

See these tips on saving water from Outback Landscaping

Avoid a Major Sewer Back-Up

Take it from us: a sewer back-up is not something you want to deal with. But how can you avoid this unsavory situation?

Residential clean-out guidance

Clean-outs for your home’s service lines are located near the front of your home. Note the location of the two white pipes in the photo to the right. If you need to call a plumber for possible sewer problems, please make sure your clean-outs are visible and accessible. You are required to have a sanitary sewer clean-out at your property line. This allows the city access to eliminate any blockage from your property line to the sewer main. 

Kitchen tips

Three common kitchen byproducts that do not belong in your pipes are FOG: Fats, Oils and Grease. FOG comes from food scraps, meats, butter, lard, sauces, dairy products, and cooking oil. Even if you run hot water while draining it into your sink, FOG will eventually cool, harden and cause build up in your pipes or in the city sewer lines. Blockages, if left untreated, will cause a sanitary sewer overflow to occur.

Bathroom cautions

Flushable wipes are becoming a big problem for pipes. Many manufacturers claim wipes can be flushed, but these stronger wipes don’t break down quickly. Flushed wipes congeal with FOG that build up in pipes and cause clogs. Dispose of wipes, cleaning cloths, paper towels and personal care items in the trash. Only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.