Smart hose timer internal flooding - Troubleshooting / Tech Support - Rachio Community
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post by franz on Oct 13, 2025
franz
Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@tkbrigham
Oct 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
JBrachio
Nov 2025
I have experienced the same flooding issue with my unit
post by franz on Nov 6, 2025
franz
Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
Nov 2025
@JBrachio I will have our CS team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience.
post by uncgal10 on Nov 11, 2025
uncgal10
Nov 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
jlpatinop78
Dec 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.
post by dmegee on Dec 28, 2025
dmegee
Dec 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 franz on Jan 5
franz
Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@jlpatinop78 @dmegee
Just getting to these…
Do you still need assistance with this?
post by rachio on Feb 7
rachio
Feb 7
Hi All
I’m having the same problem, which I fear has contributed to a followon 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
Jbraz
Feb 19
I’m having the same issue. It just keeps dripping out of the battery compartment.
post by AngieTheGardener on Mar 16
AngieTheGardener
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
NickBfromOh
Mar 17
I have also experience this issue. One of the springs is now broken off
post by Yana on Mar 22
Yana
Mar 22
I had the same problem with moisture buildup 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 ClashingPlaids on Mar 25
ClashingPlaids
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.
post by Bahr on Mar 31
Bahr
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
lukie-poo
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 Edl156 on Jun 20
Edl156
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 franz on Jun 22
franz
Co-Founder/CTO @ Rachio
@Edl156 I will have someone from our Customer Success team reach out to you.
Thank you for your patience.
post by jmags1223 on Jun 30
jmags1223
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.