Smart hose timer internal flooding - Troubleshooting / Tech Support - Rachio Community
post by franz on Oct 13, 2025
@tkbrigham I am having our customer success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience!
post by JBrachio on Nov 6, 2025
I have experienced the same flooding issue with my unit
post by franz on Nov 6, 2025
@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.
post by jlpatinop78 on Dec 28, 2025
Merry Christmas @franz I love this product but I am experiencing the 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 a while. 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
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
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
@dmegee Sounds good, please let us know if you have any other issues.
post by rachio on Feb 7
Hi All
I’m having the same problem, which I fear has contributed to a follow-on issue.
I noticed rust color outside the battery compartment, so I opened the unit and discovered 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 outside 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?
post by Jbraz on Feb 19
I’m having the same issue. It just keeps dripping out of the battery compartment.
post by AngieTheGardener on Mar 16
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.
post by NickBfromOh on Mar 17
I have also experienced this issue. One of the springs is now broken off 😞
post by Yana on Mar 22
I had the same 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 a 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 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 redesign, 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 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 redesigned gasket) might be worth trying.
Simply replacing rusted units – while admirable – isn’t helping Rachio or users.
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.
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!
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 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
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 inga52282 on Jun 7
I had a similar problem with one of my units. I assumed user error so I just bought a replacement. Unfortunately, at the end of last summer, the two I had purchased that season were also rusted with a corroded battery. 😞
post by lindsejc on Jun 13
We’ve really enjoyed and appreciated this product. Ended up buying four units to manage things, but now one of them has had water leak into the battery compartment, causing corrosion.
@franz can you have someone reach out?
post by hina52282 on Jun 16
@franz Hi. Could you have someone reach out?
post by btrimboli on Jun 20
I have water oozing from the blue button on my smart hose timer, and it no longer works (despite changing out batteries). I bought it in 2023, so I assume it is no longer under warranty.
Is it possible to purchase another smart hose timer valve without the WiFi hub (since I already have that)?
post by Edl156 on Jun 20
@franz, do you mind having someone reach out? I am having the same internal valve leak; I have checked the spigot and hose connections, and they seem fine.
post by jmags1223 on Jun 30
Hello all. I just found this thread and I’m also experiencing the same issue. Is there a known solution to this? I have a lot of corrosion in my battery compartment and am worried the leads themselves won’t work even if I dry everything out.