Sprinkler Repair in The Woodlands, TX | Costs, Problems & Local Pros

The Woodlands has a permanent sprinkler schedule. It isn’t a temporary drought rule, and running your system on the wrong night can add surcharges to your water bill. If your controller’s clock is wrong or an extra program is set, it’s worth fixing quickly.

Diagnose My Sprinkler Problem See Typical Repair Costs Find Local Help in The Woodlands

The Woodlands Defined Irrigation Schedule

Woodlands Water applies a Defined Irrigation Schedule (DIS) to everyone in the MUDs it serves (Woodlands Water):

Even addresses (ending 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, and 8 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday
Odd addresses (ending 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday

The DIS applies only to programmable irrigation controllers. Hand watering, hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation are exempt. The first violation brings a warning, and repeat violations add escalating surcharges to your water bill. If you’re putting in new sod or landscaping, you can request a variance.

Woodlands Water says the schedule exists because heavy pumping has lowered Montgomery County’s aquifers and contributed to subsidence across the region (Woodlands Water).

Soil and Climate

The Woodlands is north of Houston’s coastal prairie, and soils vary from one neighborhood to the next. To see what’s under your own yard, look up your address in the USDA Web Soil Survey. In yards shaded by mature trees, roots can lift or crack shallow pipe, and leaf litter can clog spray nozzles.

This area is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, where the coldest night of a typical year reaches 25–30°F (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Freezes are rare, but they happen. During the February 2021 winter storm, the City of Houston fell to 13°F, and the National Weather Service reported broken pipes across the region (NWS Houston/Galveston). Backflow preventers and exposed pipe above ground are the sprinkler parts most likely to crack. If yours sprays or drips after a freeze, see backflow preventer leaking.

Two-story house with a wide green front lawn

Problems The Woodlands Conditions Make More Likely

Controller running on the wrong night or twice, which risks DIS surcharges
Controller not working or losing its time after a power outage
Broken or clogged heads in shady, leafy beds
Pipe leaks where roots crowd shallow lines
Backflow preventer leaks after a freeze

Hiring Someone in Texas

Texas licenses landscape irrigators at the state level. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1903, anyone who installs, repairs or services an irrigation system for pay generally needs a state irrigator license, or must work under a licensed irrigator. A homeowner working on their own property is exempt. Ask any contractor for their license number and check it with the state (license information).

Texas rules also require backflow protection on irrigation systems connected to drinking water (30 TAC 344.50). If your backflow device is leaking or was damaged, have a licensed professional repair it rather than taking it apart yourself.

Get Help With a The Woodlands Sprinkler Problem

Not sure what’s wrong? Use the sprinkler diagnosis tool, check typical repair costs, read the Houston-area watering restrictions guide, or find local help.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I run my sprinklers in The Woodlands?

Even addresses: 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday, and 8 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Odd addresses: 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

Does the schedule apply to hand watering?

No. The Defined Irrigation Schedule covers programmable irrigation controllers only. Hand watering, hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation are exempt.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Rules change with drought stages, so always confirm with your water provider.