Stop the water first. Then find help.
How to stop the water
- Turn the controller off. Set the dial or app to OFF. If a zone keeps running, the problem is at the valve, not the controller.
- Close the irrigation shutoff valve. It is usually near the backflow preventer or in a valve box near the water meter. Turn it clockwise or rotate the lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.
- No irrigation shutoff? Close the main water shutoff to the property. This will also shut off water to the house.
- Zone valve stuck open? Check whether the valve’s manual bleed screw or lever was left open and close it.
- Don’t dig blind. Before digging to find a broken line, call 811 so buried utility lines can be marked.
Common sprinkler emergencies
- Sprinkler won’t shut off
- Broken sprinkler mainline
- Major sprinkler leak
- Flooding valve box
- Backflow device spraying water
- Pipe broken by a contractor
- Sprinkler line broken while digging
More detail: emergency sprinkler shutoff · why sprinklers won't shut off · leak repair cost
