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Smart hose timer internal flooding
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Mar 18
post by Fymaxwell on Jun 26, 2024
I’ve got water flooding into the battery chamber of my Rachio smart hose timer. I’ve been through this in the past with two units that Rachio replaced, and I am starting to wonder if it’s me or Rachio that’s to blame.
I am currently running four timers. Three of the timers are trouble-free. The one that is malfunctioning was bought at the same time as the two others that previously failed, so perhaps there were manufacturing issues with that batch? I’d appreciate any insight that the community might be able to offer, as this is starting to drive me mad.
2.3k views 49 users
27](https://community.rachio.com/u/franz "franz")
3](https://community.rachio.com/u/dmegee "dmegee")
3](https://community.rachio.com/u/tkbrigham "tkbrigham")
3](https://community.rachio.com/u/inga52282 "inga52282")
2](https://community.rachio.com/u/wodentx "wodentx")
read 8 min
Top replies
post by Thomas_Lerman on Jun 26, 2024
Thomas_LermanRachio Power User
I have one timer with no issues
post by franz on Jun 26, 2024
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Fymaxwell I’m having our support team reach out to you. They will take care of you!
4 months later
post by WaterMunkee on Oct 9, 2024
Same here. Twice. First time I thought maybe I could’ve incorrectly installed the battery door. Lots of corrosion inside after 45 days, device quit working. After cleaning thoroughly, I installed fresh batteries and battery door and ensured everything was snug. New batteries completely rusted/corroded within 45 days again, and again device quit working. Obviously this unit’s battery compartment is not waterproof. Frustrating!
14 days later
post by bgorbet on Oct 24, 2024
Same problem. I’ve only had this device a few months and its already all corroded inside. Doesn’t seem like the waterproofing works well enough
post by franz on Oct 25, 2024
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
2
@bgorbet I am having our support team reach out to you. They will take care of you!
23 days later
post by PamL on Nov 18, 2024
I have only 1 timer and I have the same problem with it flooding and the batteries corroding.
post by franz on Nov 18, 2024
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
2
I will have someone from our support team reach out to you.
27 days later
post by Jkuri on Dec 15, 2024
1
Hello,
I seem to have a similar problem with the battery compartment. When I went to swap out the batteries the compartment had water inside.
I am quite sure that it was installed properly and I am not subject to freezing temperatures.
Been less than 6 months so did not expect batteries to be expended already… installed in June.
.
\ Hose Timer1920×1440 139 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/6/9/69098291af6acad083b8af17c0981019366e93f6.jpeg "Hose Timer")
post by franz on Dec 16, 2024
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Jkuri I’ll have someone from our support team reach out to you. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
15 days later
post by Jkuri on Dec 31, 2024
As a follow up and some may find this useful.
The support team did reach out and solved my issue quickly and easily and I am back up and operational.
So a big thank-you for the great customer service and supporting your product.
post by franz on Dec 31, 2024
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Jkuri I appreciate the followup! Happy New Year!
3 months later
post by rhawley on Mar 20, 2025
I’m having the same issue with internal flooding while my other timer is perfect
\ IMG_53903024×4032 2.1 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/d/a/da1452dbe41a840efc1b0efa8c35ec50f0e7ce77.jpeg "IMG_5390")
post by franz on Mar 20, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
I will have our customer success team reach out and take care of you!
1 month later
post by Davico on Apr 22, 2025
I have the same issue in one of my devices, but both of them are not working as expected anymore. Water leaks from inside the device
\ IMG_49753024×4032 2.29 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/5/6/562c02f2930cd9bc9941c7c4a29569f4c0617548.jpeg "IMG_4975")
post by franz on Apr 22, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Davico I’m having our customer success team reach out to you and they will resolve this issue for you! Thank you for your patience
post by ecobuilding on Apr 28, 2025
Hi- I too am having the flooding issue. The two valves I’m running were showing as disconnected and I found the flooding when I thought it was a battery issue. I turned out the two screws holding the battery compartment to the valve body. The design is such that the flooding was confined to the battery compartment, and the circuit board and solenoid are sealed. Tried to capture in the photos.
Tried drying out the battery compartment and put the batteries back in - I get a green blink and then a blue and then the LED goes blank and I can’t manually open the valve. Suggestions?
\ image3024×4032 3.03 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/1/6/16e932a7546adf615ad8f19a27889aa0686db339.jpeg "image")
\ image3024×4032 2.72 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/8/e/8e9450fc32a3c5d02746d9c562a280bb1731eafb.jpeg "image")
post by franz on Apr 28, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@ecobuilding I will make sure our customer success team reaches out to you in the morning. Thank you for reporting this and your patience.
post by ecobuilding on Apr 28, 2025
Impressive customer service thanks for your super quick reply! And at 6:15pm!
I went back after they had been sitting in the sun for a bit longer and cleaned up the terminals then tried the steps to remove the valves from the app and then add them as new devices and they set up and ran. Maybe replacement battery compartments so the terminals don’t corrode over time, but as I mentioned even though the battery compartment flooded the circuit board and solenoid were well sealed and no water got in beyond the battery compartment.
post by wodentx on Apr 30, 2025
Wish I would have searched here before throwing my old one away that was 14 months old a few weeks ago. The responses being provided sure do instill confidence!
I too had internal flooding into the battery compartment. Figured it was my fault when I put the batteries in it. I only discovered my issue after i went to put new batteries in after setting up the tomato garden (patio planter) for the new season.
Sorry for the ramble.
My new valve showed up and I made sure to be extra careful when I put the cover back on it. But is there anything else I should do? Do I need to put the valve in a weather protected enclosure? What can I do to prevent a re-occurrence.
post by franz on Apr 30, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
Sorry to hear about your poor experience. I would make sure the battery door is screwed down tightly, and the unit is oriented/installed vertically, you should be good.
If you do experience any issues just let us know and we can resolve them for you.
post by wodentx on Apr 30, 2025
Thanks for the reply and understood. While it was disappointing to have happened, it certainly wasn’t a poor experience, it worked perfectly for me all growing season last year. Its why I didn’t hesitate to buy a replacement. This year I will be removing it from the hose bib when the growing season is over.
8 days later
post by cmschoell on May 9, 2025
Same here. Just replaced my batteries for the first time and I have the same little pool in the battery compartment, corrosion, etc. Poor design for an outdoor product.
post by Thomas_Lerman on May 9, 2025
Thomas_LermanRachio Power User
Mine has not leaked at all and I have changed the batteries at least a couple of times. I wonder if these leaks could be preventable. Because of other things I have learned and teach (SCUBA), whenever I see any kind of O-ring after opening something up (such as Rachio), I make sure it is clean (no sand, dirt, etc.), seated properly, not pinched or torn, still soft, and periodically use a type of grease on it.
post by Xempt on May 11, 2025
I’m having this same issue. My battery compartment was secured but it is now corroded inside and not working.
post by franz on May 12, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Xempt I am having our customer success team reach out to you.
post by Fymaxwell on May 12, 2025
Hi! I started this thread, and now I’m having the exact same problem with yet another of my smart hose timers. Note that this is the last remaining unit from the initial product release (all of the units I purchased later are problem free, which suggests to me that the problem has been solved). @Franz, would you be able to have someone from your team reach out to me about replacing this one? Thanks in advance!
post by franz on May 12, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Fymaxwell Definitely, they should reach out to you tomorrow.
post by Pamelaneko on May 18, 2025
Hi - I’m having the same problem with leaks and batteries getting wet. Is there a solution?
15 days later
post by am817 on Jun 2, 2025
Hi, i’m having the same problem as everyone else here. Second time this has happened, and i’ve made sure to screw in tightly
\ IMG_73693024×4032 2.72 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/e/b/ebe607606b2c268e3ee4d8833b1fda82d1145190.jpeg "IMG_7369")
post by franz on Jun 2, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
I will have our customer success team reach out to you. Thank you for your patience.
post by Rcca223 on Jun 9, 2025
Hello - I purchased 3 of these and 2 of them are having this same issue - water coming through the chamber and the batteries corroding. I also made sure the screws were tight. I have additional videos of the timers on with the water pouring out.
\ IMG_55914284×5712 3.23 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/c/d/cd1666a34853bbf82c0753f78ae95c12a0225630.jpeg "IMG_5591")
\ IMG_55984284×5712 3.73 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/2/d/2db25de9d64dcc58946b3950077f56b24e2735d0.jpeg "IMG_5598")
14 days later
post by dcampbell386 on Jun 24, 2025
I have (2) timers and both are having internal flooding and the batteries are completely eroded. What do I do?
post by uncgal10 on Jun 30, 2025
Oh wow, I am not alone! My Rachio keeps internal flooding, I was able to clean up the rust to get it to work again but it has not only rusted again now corroding the battery contacts. will be reaching out to support on this based on this thread.
post by train_wreck on Jul 2, 2025
Well, I just had this happen on a hose timer I bought exactly 40 days ago new from Amazon. The app notified me that one of the timers was disconnected, opened it up and saw the same brown corrosion and dead batteries as everyone else. I cleaned the contacts with isopropyl alcohol and but new batteries in it, but it seems llikely that it will happen again based on the reports in this thread. Please advise, I have 4 total hose timers so hope it won’t affect all of them…
post by jeffbankston on Jul 4, 2025
I’ve had the same problem, it almost killed a couple of my potted plants when it stopped working. Rachio sent me a new unit (kudos on that) but when I open it, it looks like the same design. There’s no way that little rubber foam pad can seal this battery compartment properly. The non-smart Orbit and other valves I’ve used have a much more robust battery sealing setup and I’ve used those for years with no leaking.
Has anyone managed to keep these from leaking? Like maybe some silicone grease or something?
If I keep having to check these units to make sure my lemon trees don’t dry out, I don’t know if there’s any incremental value over the non-smart versions I’ve always used. Occasionally skipping a cycle due to rain isn’t enough of a value if I end up losing my plants altogether due to random dying of batteries.
post by train_wreck on Jul 7, 2025
I was thinking about just duct taping over the battery door on my remaining valves, then just having to peel off/re-tape every time i change batteries…… obviously a kludge but i don’t see how else to ensure the compartment is dry…
24 days later
post by NinaGail on Jul 31, 2025
Just had this issue on one of my hose end timers. Thought it was something I did wrong til I saw this thread. My other timer has not had any issues, but it has not been in use as long. Will be extremely disappointed if this is an ongoing issue
post by joshuaTrue on Aug 2, 2025
1
I also have a valve flooding into the battery compartment and it no longer works.
\ tempImage6yd98Y1920×3413 408 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/6/5/654b5a9cf2812d2b34d9169dbe9edd906ff17258.jpeg "tempImage6yd98Y")
post by franz on Aug 4, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
I will have our customer success team reach out to you and get this taken care of.
post by Trung2704 on Aug 8, 2025
Have 1 out of 3 newly bought hose timers where the battery compartment is flooded. Can tech support contact me to determine if it can be repaired?
post by franz on Aug 11, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Trung2704 I am having our customer success team reach out to you
post by dpinney on Aug 14, 2025
Sorry Franz, same issue here. Valve disconnected from timer after about 16 days because the batteries melted. Put in fresh batteries but the device wouldn’t reconnect. Pictures of toasted batteries here:
\ tempImagepy3VcH1920×2560 346 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/5/d/5d86d1b99e03da08183e7f4e95f629d544c83327.jpeg "tempImagepy3VcH")
\ tempImagenjzpKj1920×2560 214 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/8/b/8b0656e9c19029beb159d6994f5170cbc262b652.jpeg "tempImagenjzpKj")
post by tkbrigham on Aug 18, 2025
Hi Franz et al, also had issues with water inside the battery chamber leading to corrosion. Only happened to one of the two I bought. Love the product otherwise - hardware and software!
\ PXL_20250818_201900784.MP1920×3413 479 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/d/6/d618c0db69b54b3ea5cf4f0a7286a30a49cb83c8.jpeg "PXL_20250818_201900784.MP")
post by justinappleby on Aug 20, 2025
1
\ 175566284791988378777732644367551920×2560 307 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/b/b/bb2a911f3a62075ed0bcd7c79fafc364712c7b8c.jpeg "17556628479198837877773264436755")
Same problem here. The battery compartment flooded and corroded the batteries and the internal terminals. I tried thoroughly cleaning the terminals and the interior of the battery compartment with 99% Isopropyl alcohol, just a blue flashing light with new batteries. This ‘smart’ timer valve has a dimwitted design.
\ 175566318074858973120472714565461920×2560 334 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/6/8/68caef0cd0b3d07a20b23624d3375fe30dbda91b.jpeg "17556631807485897312047271456546")
\ 175566330173486537087584142105111920×2560 276 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/a/1/a15666b814d622ee738f32358edfb4142dabbe96.jpeg "17556633017348653708758414210511")
I mean, it’s a hose timer valve… Why would you ever design one that is so prone to flooding the battery compartment? This is obviously a widespread issue and I’d like to know if there is a new model that addresses this obvious problem.
Also, a little bit more QA needs to be done on the plastic male threads. The ones on the bottom of my unit were so off that you couldn’t connect a hose without cross threading it and leaving it at a weird angle, unless you do as I did and carefully remove the first few threads at the end so it was properly threaded.
post by franz on Aug 20, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@justinappleby I am having our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for reporting this!
post by tkbrigham on Aug 21, 2025
Hi Franz - would you connect me as well? Thanks!
29 days later
post by Mck123456 on Sep 20, 2025
Hello, I am having the same issue. Could you send me to customer support / success team as well? Thank you!
14 days later
post by Peterachio on Oct 4, 2025
Same exact issue, @franz can you please connect me with customer service?
post by franz on Oct 6, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Peterachio I am having our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience.
post by tkbrigham on Oct 10, 2025
@franz a few of us posted earlier - anything we should do to get some support as well? Thanks!
post by franz on Oct 13, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@tkbrigham I am having our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience!
24 days later
post by JBrachio on Nov 6, 2025
I have experienced the same flooding issue with my unit
\ image3024×4032 846 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/d/f/df9a824cb39e4f88d2eff4ff4954ac3017f66d53.jpeg "image")
post by franz on Nov 6, 2025
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@JBrachio I will have our CS team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience.
post by uncgal10 on Nov 11, 2025
Has anyone found a modification to make to prevent the internal flooding? Also does anyone have a picture/video of the internal flooding in action? I have replaced two timers due to this and want to install this third with some preventive measures. There are no leaks from my spigot and other non-smart hose timers have worked great so I am chucking this up to a design flaw.
2 months later
post by jlpatinop78 on Dec 28, 2025
Merry Christmas @franz I love this product but I am experiencing same exact challenge, even with The battery door is properly closed and secured. Despite this, moisture is consistently found inside the battery compartment.
It appears that the battery door seal weakens over time, allowing water intrusion during normal outdoor exposure (rain or irrigation). This has resulted in repeated battery failures and renders the device unreliable for its intended use.
This issue appears to be related to a sealing or housing defect.
post by dmegee on Dec 28, 2025
I have the same problem. I frequently clean the rust and reset. Usually works. It’s a real problem when I am out of town for awhile. Today I cleaned the valve and the light doesn’t come on and therefore pairing doesn’t work
post by dmegee on Dec 28, 2025
rhawley](https://community.rachio.com/t/smart-hose-timer-internal-flooding/39897/64 "Load parent post")
Mine looks like this too. I have had some success cleaning with vinegar and soda but it has now quit completely and won’t light up or reset.
post by franz on Jan 5
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
Just getting to these…
Do you still need assistance with this?
post by dmegee on Jan 5
I bought a replacement. It was 8.5 years old so I guess it was time. Thank you for getting back to me
post by franz on Jan 5
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@dmegee Sounds good, please let us know if you have any other issues.
1 month later
post by rachio on Feb 7
Hi All
I’m having the same problem, which I fear has contributed to a followon issue.
I noticed rust color outisde the battery compartment, so I opened the unit and discoved a lot of rust, heavily corroded batteries, and the foam inside the cover was soggy wet.
i used a brush to clean the terminals, replaced the batteries, and left it ouside a few hours so the internals could dry.
Later, I connected everything again and turned on the water. unlike some above, the system seemed to work - the light turned blue and water started flowing; however, when i pushed the button again, the light turned red, but the water just kept going.
Not sure what to do next… is the unit dead? Do I need a replacement?
11 days later
post by Jbraz on Feb 19
I’m having the same issue. It just keeps dripping out of the battery compartment.
25 days later
post by AngieTheGardener on Mar 16
1
I’ve only had the Rachio working for two months in California and it broke with flooding of batteries. So much for this battery set working for the watering season, according to Rachio marketing materials.
\ Rachio-broke-in-two-months-flooded-battery-compartment-rusted-stopped-working-ugh1800×2400 1.08 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/9/9/99a98f35b42e953ed9f28a43b5bae12d6bdb64f0.jpeg "Rachio-broke-in-two-months-flooded-battery-compartment-rusted-stopped-working-ugh")
post by NickBfromOh on Mar 17
I have also experience this issue. One of the springs is now broken off
\ Broken_Contact1288×975 222 KB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/4/9/49a2f1c39f7444ae6194e518c62fd7afb36a34df.jpeg "Broken_Contact")
post by Yana on Mar 22
I had the some problem with moisture build up in the battery case. My hose is not exposed to rain but still got rusted. I cleaned the rust pole and put fresh battery in the hose is still working but I am hesitant to use it again because of the poor moisture proof door.
post by Yana on Mar 22
\ 20260322_1340451920×2560 1.36 MB](https://community.rachio.com/uploads/db1097/original/3X/d/e/de89198693432a2f42f3fa661a689951f00177de.jpeg "20260322_134045")
post by ClashingPlaids on Mar 25
I also experienced this problem, and I appreciate that Rachio provided a replacement. However, I am concerned that there has been no mention of any root cause analysis, unit re-design, or even hacks to avoid the problem. It’s nearly time to put the replacement unit to work, so I’d like to figure out how to avoid a repeat.
Do we even know if the water is coming leaking in (due to rain or watering), or leaking internally? At least one person has said that their valve was in a sheltered location, suggesting an internal leak. If so, a temporary hack might be to drill a drain hole so the water can leak out. On the other hand, if the water is leaking into the unit, perhaps the suggestion to seal the door with duct (or better) tape (or, better yet, a re-designed gasket) might be worth trying.
Simply replacing rusted units–while admirable–isn’t helping Rachio or users.
post by compuad77 on Mar 26
I have the exact same issue. I have 6 of these and 1 is literally spewing water from the battery compartment.
post by Bahr on Mar 31
Same issue but contacted support. They said since it was over a year that I had been fighting it they could no longer repair or replace. Good idea but not product.
10 days later
post by lukie-poo on Apr 11
I hadn’t thought of reaching out when I first encountered this when taking the hose timers inside last fall. Though, the timer that flooded was a couple of years old as of last fall, so I would assume I’m also not eligible for a replacement. I’m hopeful the other one holds up!
22 days later
post by A4budak on May 3
I have two units both had battery compartments flooded. Cleaning one with contact cleaner solved the issue no luck with the second unit
post by chrismg71 on May 8
@franz I just found this thread. Could you please have someone reach out to me about this? I have had this issue as well. Thank you
post by franz on May 8
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@chrismg71 I will have our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience!
12 days later
post by va-rain on May 20
Franz, I have the same issue, unable to use for this season so far
post by franz on May 27
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@va-rain Sorry I was out last week.
Do you still need assistance?
post by va-rain on May 27
Inside battery area got wet and rusty last season, went to use it this season and water is leaking from the inside? Unable to use
post by franz on May 27
franz Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
I will have our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience
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