Rainfall recorders, otherwise known as rain gauges, help measure precipitation, which comes in handy for businesses that deal with the elements. The rain gauge used to be just a simple piece of plastic, but now, with diversity in manufacturing, you can choose from several different kinds of tools for measuring rain.

Rain recorder tools come in handy for a variety of projects where the calculations are critical in designing changes to an area's physical infrastructure. Businesses might use rainfall measuring equipment for situations like these:

1. In dealing with precipitation issues around a home during home contracting.

2. In environmental research or other studies relating to climate or precipitation, where government agencies or private companies use information like a rainfall databank to deliver recommendations.

3. In a local or municipal engineering study, where engineers need rainfall recording gear to successfully approve or study changes to infrastructure.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get simple traditional rainfall recorders

You can easily buy and install the old plastic rain gauges on your project site. Choose from any number of manufacturers and distributors online to ship these relatively uncomplicated items to you for easy readouts on how much rain you're getting on any one day.

I recommend: Get big readable rain gauge models from the National Gardening Association. An energy and water efficiency company, AM Conservation Group, Inc. sells household rainfall recorder models for your precipitation measuring needs.

Find digital or wireless rainfall recorders

If your business needs are more sophisticated, you're in luck. With the proliferation of new technology, sellers are battering down the door to sell you improved rainfall recording equipment with digital or wireless technology. With digital devices, your results can be archived, averaged or sent to a rainfall databank for further use.

I recommend: Get sensor-mounted rain gauges, digital components and more at Rainwise, Inc. Weathershack.com offers a range of wireless rainfall recorders with self-emptying mechanized buckets and digital readouts.

Use rainfall recorders for business promotion

If you represent a third party engineering or consulting firm, a customized rain gauge can be an effective way to leave your business name behind when you go. Get personalized rain gauges form online vendors to promote your shop every time it rains.

I recommend: Promotional Items includes rain gauges in their vast catalog of small items for business customization. Get your ID on a rainfall recorder at Branders.com, another online merchant for getting your business name visible.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make a 'long haul' purchase. If your reps do a lot of rain recording, you may want to contemplate a bulk buy that saves dollars and ensures you won't have to sit back down and go through the whole process again later, when equipment gets lost, broken or surreptitiously grabbed.