How to Turn Off Your Irrigation System on a Rainy East Valley Day (or if you have a leak)

If you’re an Arizona native, you know how special it feels when the rain finally arrives. The smell of fresh rain in the desert, the cooler temperatures and the relief for your plants all make for a moment to savor. But on these rainy days, one of the best things you can do for your yard and your water bill, is to turn off your irrigation system. This is also the case if you need to shut off your irrigation due to an emergency such as a leak so save this for future reference just in case.

Luckily, it’s a quick and simple process. Here are two easy ways to do it:

1. Turn Off Your Irrigation at the Backflow Prevention Valve

Your irrigation system is supplied with water through a backflow prevention valve, usually located on the side of your home nearby your irrigation controller. Now, to know whether they are in the on or off position, if the handle is in-line with the pipe, it is on. As you can see in the photo below, both handles are facing the same directions as the pipes are running. This means this irrigation system is receiving water from the main water line.

To stop the flow of water from you main water line all you have to do is turn either of the handles on this valve so that the handles are not in-line with the pipe and create a + sign. As long as you turn either valve to the off position, water will stop flowing to your irrigation system. See photos down below:

• Don’t worry, this will not affect your pool. Most pools have their own dedicated water system.

• This method is great if you want to stop irrigation completely at the source. If you have a leaking irrigation valve or valve box that is flooding, this is the only way to turn stop water from flowing to your irrigation system without shutting off the water to your entire house.

NOTE: This will shut off the water to your entire irrigation system. Even if everything else is still running like normal (irrigation controller, irrigation valves, etc.), your plants will not receive water until you turn your backflow prevention valve(s) to the on position.

2. Turn Off Your Irrigation at the Controller

Most East Valley homes are equipped with a controller, such as the Hunter X-2 or a Rain Bird ESP-TM2 model. These make it extremely easy to pause irrigation during wet weather.

On a Hunter X2:

• Normally, the dial will be set to Run.

• Simply turn it to the Off position.

• Double-check that the screen reads OFF and it will stay off until once more being set to Run.

On a Rain Bird ESP-TM2:

• Basically the same thing. Open the panel and look for the display.

• Switch the dial from Auto to Off.

• Confirm the screen shows OFF.

• When the rain passes, turn it back to Auto so your regular schedule resumes.

Why This Matters

Turning off your irrigation during rainy weather prevents overwatering, conserves water and saves money. It also helps your plants thrive by not overwhelming them with excess moisture.

Need Help Managing Your Irrigation?

At The Yard Experts, we don’t just maintain beautiful yards, we also take care of irrigation systems. From programming your controller to repairing leaks and broken valves, our team makes sure your system runs efficiently year-round.

Reach out today if you need help with your irrigation system!