Why your Irrigation System Should Have a Rain Sensor

They say April showers bring May flower, but May 2017 is turning out to be the month of rain based on the weather we've been having in Burlington over the last week and a half.

Unprecedented rainfall in the area has surely given our lawns and gardens more than enough water. While you may not be thinking about your in ground sprinkler system with all the rainfall we've received lately, it's important to remember that your in ground sprinkler system is designed to make your life easy and convenient - and it does so even in the rainy weather.

One of the ways your in ground irrigation system helps you manage the needs of your lawn is with a rain sensor.

What is a Rain Sensor?

A rain sensor is a device that is mounted on your property to monitor rainwater. The rain sensor is connected to your in ground irrigation system. When the device collects enough rainwater, the sensor stops your sprinkler system from watering your lawn. This special rain sensor helps you give your lawn and garden the water it needs, without overwatering during times of heavy precipitation. A rain sensor also helps prevent water waste caused by over watering your lawn.

Benefits of a Rain Sensor?

In addition to maintaining the right water level needed for optimal lawn growth, and preventing water waste, rain sensors have many other benefits including:

• Convenience
• Cost Effectiveness
• Minimizing run off

Convenience

Without a rain sensor or other forms of weather sensor technology, it would be your responsibility to turn off the sprinkler system during times of heavy precipitation. Now, if an unexpected rainfall takes place during the day, you go away on vacation or you are simply too busy to check the weather forecast every single day, chances are your system does not get turned off and your lawn ends up getting much more water than it needs.

Installing a rain sensor onto your in ground sprinkler system takes the guess work out of watering your lawn, and gives you one less thing to worry about during your busy days.

Cost Effectiveness

Your in ground sprinkler system should save you both time and money, but if you over water your lawn when Mother Nature is already doing it for you, you'll end up wasting both water and money.

With a rain sensor, you won't have to worry about water waste or increased utility bills, as the weather sensor technology monitors the precipitation levels of your lawn and adjusts it's watering schedule accordingly.

Minimizing Run Off

Without a rain sensor, overwatering can occur. Not only is this a problem as it can damage the health of your lawn, waste water and run your utility bills up - but it can also create run off from your property.

Once the soil in your lawn absorbs all the water it can at one time, the ground will become saturated. When this happens, excess water will run off the surface. This surface run off can make it's way into the groundwater system, carrying with it pollutants such as fertilizer, pet waste and pesticides.

To minimize run off, it's best to ensure you are not overwatering your lawn, especially during times of heavy rainfall.

Get Professional Installation

Whether you want to install a rain sensor to your existing sprinkler system, or you're looking to install an irrigation system in your property for the first time, it's always best to contact a professional. The irrigation professionals at Nutri-Lawn Burlington can help you select a sprinkler system with programmable settings and weather sensor technology so you can enjoy all the benefits that an in ground sprinkler system has to offer. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today, or contact us for more information.