Smart hose timer internal flooding - Troubleshooting / Tech Support - Rachio Community
Top replies
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!
Post by JBrachio on Nov 6, 2025
JBrachio
@JBrachio I have experienced the same flooding issue with my unit.
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
uncgal10
Has anyone found a modification to make to prevent 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
Merry Christmas @franz I love this product but I am experiencing the same exact challenge, even with the battery door 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 exposure to weather (rain or irrigation). This has resulted in repeated battery failures and renders the device unreliable.
This issue seems related to a sealing defect.
Post by dmegee on Dec 28, 2025
dmegee
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
dmegee
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
@jlpatinop78 @dmegee Just getting to these…
Do you still need assistance?
Post by dmegee on Jan 5
dmegee
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
@dmegee Sounds good, please let us know if you have any other issues.
Post by rachio on Feb 7
rachio
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 wet.
I used a brush to clean the terminals, replaced the batteries, and left it outside for a few hours to dry, but when I turned on the water, the system seemed to work at first but then the light turned red and the water just kept flowing.
Not sure what to do next… is the unit dead? Do I need a replacement?
Post by Jbraz on Feb 19
Jbraz
I’m having the same issue. It just keeps dripping out of the battery compartment.
Post by AngieTheGardener on Mar 16
AngieTheGardener
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
I have also experienced this issue. One of the springs is now broken.
Post by Yana on Mar 22
Yana
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 and put a fresh battery in, but I am hesitant to use it again.
Post by ClashingPlaids on Mar 25
ClashingPlaids
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 or redesign to avoid the problem.
Simply replacing rusted units isn't helping Rachio or users.
Post by Bahr on Mar 31
Bahr
Same issue but contacted support. They said since it was over a year old, they could no longer repair or replace it.
Post by lukie-poo on Apr 11
lukie-poo
I hadn’t thought of reaching out when I first encountered this with my hose timers last fall.
Post by chrismg71 on May 8
chrismg71
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
@chrismg71 I will have our customer success team reach out to you. Thank you for your patience!
Post by va-rain on May 20
va-rain
Franz, I have the same issue, unable to use this season so far.
Post by inga52282 on Jun 7
inga52282
I had a similar problem with one of my units. I assumed user error so I 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 jmags1223 on Jun 30
jmags1223
Hello all. I just found this thread and I’m also experiencing the same issue. Is there a known solution for corrosion in the battery compartment?
Post by btrimboli on Jul 14
btrimboli
I have water oozing from the blue button on my smart hose timer, and it no longer works despite changing out batteries. Is it possible to purchase another smart hose timer valve without the Wi-Fi hub?
Post by Edl156 on Jun 20
Edl156
@franz, do you mind having someone reach out? I am having the same internal valve leak.
Post by franz on Jun 22
franz
@Edl156 I will have someone from our Customer Success team reach out to you. Thank you for your patience!
Post by Shadowrose on Jul 14
Shadowrose
It looks like I’m also suffering the leaky battery issue. Should I just buy a different device? Both of my units crapped out this year.