When installing your rain gauge it is important to consider its location. The gauge should be placed in an area that is protected from strong winds but is not bothered by obstacles that could either block precipitation from reaching the gauge or cause precipitation to splash towards it. For example, an ideal location would be a small open meadow surrounded by forest, or an open back yard not too close to buildings or trees.

The rain gauge should be installed at a reasonable distance away from obstacles such as buildings and trees. As a rule of thumb, if a tree is 40m tall, the gauge should be placed at least 80m downwind from it. This will help avoid potential blockage of the rain gauge.

Things to Remember when mounting a rain gauge:
Avoid large obstacles that could block precipitation.
Avoid mounting the rain gauge were sprinklers or other sources of artificial precipitation can affect the data.
Make sure the top of the rain gauge is level.
Mount the rain gauge so that heavy rain could not splash into the gauge from any nearby surfaces.
Mount the rain gauge in an area protected from strong wind, if possible.

Maintenance

You should clean your rain gauge periodically. Being carefull when cleaning tiping bucket sytle gauges not to bump or damage collector buckets.