If a sprinkler will not stop running, sprays the wrong area, or one zone does not operate, start with the normal controls intended for everyday use. Do not open valve boxes, alter wiring, or reset a supplied smart controller to factory settings.
If the Sprinklers Will Not Shut Off
Use the controller or its normal app controls to turn irrigation off. If the sprinklers stop, leave the system off while you check the schedule, rain delay, or other ordinary user settings.
If the sprinklers continue running after the controller is turned off, stop troubleshooting and report the problem.
If the property has a clearly identified, dedicated irrigation shutoff that you already know is intended for normal resident use, you may close it if it is safely accessible. Do not search crawlspaces, utility areas, or unfamiliar piping for a shutoff.
Using a Hunter Hydrawise Controller
For a supplied Hunter Hydrawise system, Hunter provides a normal app control for turning the controller off without deleting schedules or changing installer settings.
If your supplied system uses another common smart controller, use only its normal user controls. Rain Bird's current app allows the controller to be switched between Auto and Off, and Rachio provides ordinary start, stop, and pause controls. Do not factory-reset, delete, erase, re-pair, transfer ownership of, or otherwise reconfigure a supplied irrigation controller.
If a Sprinkler Is Spraying the Wrong Area
First look for a simple surface obstruction. Loose grass, leaves, or lightweight debris around the top of an accessible sprinkler may be cleared without digging.
If you can clearly identify the sprinkler as having a user-adjustable spray nozzle, a normal spray-direction or radius adjustment may be reasonable when the manufacturer describes it as an ordinary adjustment and you can do it from ground level without removing the head, digging, using force, or disturbing piping.
For example, Hunter documents ordinary adjustment of its spray nozzles:
Stop if the sprinkler is broken, loose in the ground, leaking below grade, unfamiliar, or will not adjust normally.
If One Zone Does Not Run
Check only the normal controller or app information available to you, such as:
- whether the controller is on;
- whether the zone appears in the normal schedule;
- whether a rain delay or temporary suspension is active;
- whether the controller reports that it is offline; or
- whether a visible error message or code is displayed.
Do not remove controller covers, touch terminals or wiring, open irrigation valve boxes, or attempt valve repairs.
If a Sprinkler Head Is Broken or Water Is Pooling
Turn the irrigation system off using its normal controls if you can do so safely. Take photos or video showing the affected sprinkler and the water pattern. Do not dig around the head or remove buried components.
The EPA's WaterSense program identifies problems such as broken or missing sprinkler heads, leaks, overspray, misdirected spray, and pooling as signs that an irrigation system needs attention. See the EPA WaterSense sprinkler guidance.
What About Irrigation Winterization?
Backflow and irrigation winterization is normally preventive system care rather than troubleshooting a sprinkler problem. If PMI James River specifically asks you to perform a property-specific winterization step, follow the instructions provided for that equipment.
Do not assume that every irrigation system uses the same procedure, and do not use compressed air or attempt a full sprinkler blowout unless you have been specifically directed to follow an approved process for that property.
For broader seasonal maintenance information, see Seasonal Maintenance for Richmond Renters.
Report an Irrigation Problem That Continues
If normal controller checks and any appropriate simple adjustment do not resolve the problem, the issue returns, water continues running or pooling, or you cannot proceed safely, submit a maintenance request through the Rentvine resident portal.
Include which zone or sprinkler is affected, what the system is doing, whether you were able to turn it off, what normal controller or app checks you performed, any visible error message, and photos or video when useful.
For other household problems, use the Resident Troubleshooting Library.
Published: September 2, 2026
