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Symptom · Diagnose & Fix

Water Flows When the System Is Off

When water keeps running through one or more zones after the system has finished its program, the problem is a valve that won't seat fully — and your water bill is climbing every minute it stays open.

Likely causes

What's usually causing this

01

Debris in the valve diaphragm

A small piece of grit or sediment lodged in the valve seat prevents the diaphragm from sealing. The valve closes most of the way but a steady trickle keeps flowing.

02

Worn or torn diaphragm

Valve diaphragms degrade with age. A small tear or a hardened, cracked diaphragm can't seal properly. Replacement is straightforward but the right part for your valve model matters.

03

Stuck solenoid plunger

The solenoid plunger can stick in the open position from sediment or corrosion. The valve never gets the close signal completed and stays partially open until the solenoid is freed or replaced.

04

Damaged valve seat

On older systems, the valve seat itself can become pitted or corroded, preventing a proper seal even with a fresh diaphragm. Sometimes the valve body needs replacement, not just the rebuild kit.

How we fix it

Our repair approach

We isolate which valve is stuck open by manually testing each zone. Most fixes are a diaphragm swap or a valve rebuild — straightforward parts replacement. If the valve body itself is damaged, we pull and replace the affected unit. Stop the water bill bleed in one visit.

Ready to fix it?

Call and we'll stop the leak before your next water bill arrives.

Same-week diagnostics for irrigation issues in Montgomery County. Call now and we will pencil you in.