Sprinklers Won't Turn Off?
Let’s Stop the Water First.
If your sprinklers won’t turn off, take a deep breath and avoid making rushed adjustments.
In most cases, you can safely stop the water in just a few minutes. We’ll walk you through the process step by step so you can get the situation under control before worrying about the repair.
📖 Prefer written instructions? Keep scrolling.
First, Let's Find Your Backflow
Before you can turn the water off, you’ll need to locate your irrigation backflow preventer, which helps protect your home’s water supply from contamination. Most residential irrigation systems use one of two common backflow setups. Identifying the correct type will make it easier to find the shut-off valves and stop the water quickly.
Underground Backflow
Above-Ground Backflow
Many homes have the backflow installed inside a green irrigation valve box buried in the ground, usually near the front of the home close to the sidewalk or street. Remove the lid to access the shut-off valves.
Some homes have the backflow mounted above ground on exposed piping. These are commonly located along the side of the home, near the front corner of the house, or close to where the irrigation system connects to the main water supply.
If you’re having trouble finding your backflow, don’t worry. Our emergency video shows the most common locations and what to look for.
Step 1: Shut Off the Irrigation Water
Once you’ve located the backflow:
- Find the two shut-off valves attached to the backflow.
- Turn each handle a quarter turn (90 degrees) until the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.
- Wait a few moments to confirm the sprinklers have stopped running.
If the water has stopped, you’ve successfully controlled the emergency.
Great job.
Can't Turn the Handles?
......
Additional water shut off valve
Over time, some backflow handles become damaged, rusted, or break off completely.
Before using tools, look around the backflow for a dedicated irrigation shut-off valve. Some sprinkler systems have a separate shut-off valve installed nearby that is easier to operate.
If you don’t have a separate shut-off valve and the handles are broken off, you can carefully use a pair of pliers to turn the metal valve stems where the handles would normally attach.
⚠️ Use steady, even pressure.
Do not force the valve. If it won’t move, stop before causing additional damage.
Still Can't Shut the Water Off?
If you’ve tried the steps above and the water is still running, don’t panic. Some irrigation valves can become seized, damaged, or difficult to access over time, preventing them from shutting off properly. In many cases, the issue requires specialized tools and expertise to safely stop the water flow without causing additional damage to your irrigation system.
We offer an Emergency Irrigation Water Shut-Off Service for $199. A licensed irrigation professional will come to your home and safely:
✔ Stop the irrigation water
✔ Secure the system
✔ Help minimize additional water loss
✔ Determine why the system won’t shut off
Once the emergency is under control, we’ll review your repair options before any work begins.
Request Emergency Shut-Off Service
The Water Is Off. Now What?
Excellent. The emergency is over, and the immediate water flow has been stopped. Now it’s time to determine why your sprinkler system wouldn’t turn off in the first place. Identifying the root cause is important to prevent future water waste, avoid potential landscape damage, and ensure your irrigation system operates efficiently and reliably moving forward.
Some of the most common causes include:
- A sprinkler valve stuck open
- Debris inside the valve
- A damaged diaphragm
- A faulty solenoid
- Controller problems
- Electrical or wiring issues
While these issues are usually straightforward for a professional to diagnose, replacing random sprinkler parts without first identifying the actual root cause can quickly become expensive. Homeowners often spend money on unnecessary components, only to discover the original problem still exists and requires additional repairs.
That’s why we recommend a professional system evaluation before beginning repairs.
What Happens During Your $99 Professional System Evaluation?
Our evaluation is designed to help you fully understand the problem before making any repair decisions. We carefully inspect your irrigation system, identify the root cause of the issue, explain our findings in clear terms, and provide recommendations so you can choose the best solution with confidence.
During your visit we will:
✔ Listen to your concerns
✔ Evaluate your irrigation system
✔ Identify why the system wouldn’t turn off
✔ Explain everything we found in plain English
✔ Answer every question you have
✔ Review transparent pricing before any repairs begin
✔ Complete approved repairs whenever possible during the same visit
Our goal isn’t simply to repair your sprinkler system and to help you clearly understand what is happening with your irrigation system so you can make informed decisions with confidence. We believe homeowners deserve honest explanations, transparent recommendations, and the information needed to choose the best solution for their home and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave the irrigation water turned off overnight?
Yes.
Turning off the irrigation water supply will not damage your sprinkler system. Your lawn simply won’t be watered until the repair is completed.
Will turning off the irrigation water affect my house?
No.
Your irrigation system has its own water supply through the backflow. Turning off the irrigation water should not affect your sinks, showers, toilets, or other household plumbing.
Will this increase my water bill?
Yes, it can.
A sprinkler system that runs continuously can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water.
Stopping the water as soon as possible is the best way to limit additional water loss.
Can I repair this myself?
Some homeowners successfully replace simple sprinkler components.
However, without identifying the actual cause of the problem, it’s common to replace the wrong part.
A proper diagnosis often saves both time and money.
Do I need emergency service?
If you’ve successfully shut the irrigation water off, the emergency is usually over.
Your next step is scheduling a Professional System Evaluation.
If you cannot safely shut the water off because the valves are damaged, broken, or seized, our $199 Emergency Irrigation Water Shut-Off Service is available to secure the system.
Whale Done
The Whale Done Promise
Helping comes before selling.
If you’re reading this page, our first priority is helping you stop the water safely.
Once the situation is under control, we’ll help you understand what happened, explain your options, and recommend only the repairs your system actually needs.
That’s how we believe homeowners should be treated.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that the water is under control, it’s time to identify the root cause of the problem and restore your irrigation system to proper working condition. Sprinklers that won’t turn off can be caused by several issues, including faulty valves, damaged components, wiring problems, or controller malfunctions. Proper diagnosis is the key to preventing future water waste and unnecessary repairs. By addressing the issue correctly, you can protect your landscape, conserve water, and ensure your sprinklers operate efficiently, reliably, and as intended moving forward.
Stop wasting water and protect your landscape today—schedule your professional irrigation inspection now and get your system fixed.