Rain sensors help maintain a healthy lawn, save water and money

Rainy Season

The rainy season has officially begun! From now until October, we can expect a heavy increase in rainfall over most of Florida. As the rain starts up again, if the season is typical, your home irrigation systems can look forward to a well-deserved break.

It is not uncommon to see an automatic sprinkler system performing its scheduled watering during a summer downpour. This is a serious waste of water and money, and can cause damage to the lawn from overwatering. Overwatering does more damage than underwatering.

Florida law requires sprinkler systems to have a working rain sensor device. This device will override the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred. These sensors should be checked at least once annually, preferably just before the rainy season, to ensure proper operation.

Rain Sensors

Rain sensors are small devices that connect to an irrigation system controller and are mounted in an open area where it is exposed to rainfall. Rainfall is measured by water weight, electrical conductivity of water or by expanding disks.

The most common shutoff device is an expanding disk rain sensor. It is effective, inexpensive and easy to install and maintain. Aside from being a requirement, a rain sensor is a smart and simple way to conserve water and save money, especially during a rainy Florida summer.

A rain sensor will automatically shut off sprinkler systems during and after rain showers, allowing the irrigation system to return to its normal watering schedule when irrigation is needed. Rain sensor prices vary, but popular models can be purchased for around $20 at a home improvement store or your local irrigation supply store.

How to check your rain sensor

Conserve Water and Save Money

When rain sensors are inspected often and working correctly, they are able to save homeowners lots of water – more than 2,500 gallons per 1,000 square feet annually. When used along with adherence to local guidance on water days and times, cost savings and a healthier lawn are the rewards.

For more information on inspecting your rain sensors and finding out your required irrigation schedule, see our Watering Days and Times section on tohowater.com.

If you need assistance on setting an irrigation timer to the required days and hours, Toho's Conservation team can help at no cost to the homeowner. To set up an appointment, email [email protected] or call us at 407-944-5124.

Scan the QR Code for videos about programming your timer and testing your rain sensor. Your irrigation schedule is listed here too.