What should rain chains drain into? Rain chains can drain into a variety of receptacles - basins, bowls, saucers, pebbles, etc. They can pass through a hole in a deck, or just hover above whatever surface is beneath them.
How do rain chains work?
Rain chains are a functional alternative for the gutter downspouts on your house. The rainwater flows off the roof into the gutter system and through the hole where the downspout used to be onto the chain. Then it runs down the chain and into whatever you are using to collect or redirect the water.
How do I handle drainage from my Rain chains?
You can handle drainage from your rain chains in many ways. A variety of receptacles will work, including basins, bowls, saucers, pebbles, etc. Many of our customers use downspout diverters or underground drains to direct water away from their homes.
Can you put a basin on a rain chain?
Copper Rain Chain Basin The copper basins are very versatile and will add more flair to your copper rain chain if that’s what you have. Majority of the copper basins are shaped like a bowl or dish and sit on the ground or on a stand.
Can a rain chain fall down?
However, some attention must be paid to both the amount of ice that is gathering on the chain and the length of the chain. As both lengths and amount of ice increases, so does the weight on the chain. With enough weight the rain chain can overpower the strength of the hanging hook and it can fall down.
Does a rain chain need a basin?
You can handle drainage from your rain chains in many ways. A variety of receptacles will work, including basins, bowls, saucers, pebbles, etc. Many of our customers use downspout diverters or underground drains to direct water away from their homes.
Should a rain chain go to the ground?
For a properly functioning rain chain to effectively replace a downspout, the rain chain should connect the gutter to the ground.
Do you need a gutter for a rain chain?
Most sloping roofs can accommodate a rain chain even without a gutter. Since roof slopes will vary from home to home, so will the trajectory of the water that streams from a roof through a crevice or crease during a storm. Study your roof and how it expels rain water before you install your gutterless rain chain.
Are rain chains better than downspouts?
Go With Gutters To summarize, traditional gutter downspouts simply stack up better than rain chains when put to the test. They endure heavy rain better, they effectively redirect rainwater, and they don't leave pools of standing water that attract pests and damage soil.
Can you leave a rain chain up in the winter?
Will my rain chains hold up in the winter months? Yes. Rain chains hold up fine in the winter, even in very cold and freezing climates. The only caution here is that the weight of the ice on the rain chain does not become too heavy for the stock hanging hook.
Do you take rain chains down in the winter?
Rain chains need little maintenance, except checking your gutter for debris, as you would with a normal downspout. If you live in an area with high wind storms or harsh heavy ice, it is recommended to take down the rain chain during winter and replace your regular downspout.
Can rain chains handle heavy rain?
Rain chains are less sturdy, and less high-capacity, than traditional downspouts. If you live somewhere with heavy weather and high winds, you'll need to install backup downspouts to handle your rainfall, because rain chains alone won't be able to do the job.
How do rain chains connected to gutters?
How Do They Work? Rain chains work using surface tension. They are connected to gutters, or eaves, usually where a downspout is traditionally placed. As rainwater collects in the gutters and begins to drain, it naturally follows the path of least resistance and follows the chain down to the ground.
Do rain chains make noise?
If you just thought that a rain chain produces some sound on its own then we are afraid to say that you are wrong. The chain doesn't have any innate sound but it still makes soothing sounds when rain water passes over it.
How far should downspouts drain from house?
A good rule of thumb: One downspout should not drain more than 35 feet of gutter. The gutters must be clean to prevent clogging. The downspouts need to be extended away from the home a minimum of four feet, with six feet being preferred.
Can you hang a rain chain from a tree?
Just keep in mind that a rain chain does not have to be solely hung from a gutter. There are many ways to use a rain chain in addition to replacing a standard downspout. Hang a glowing copper rain chain from a gazebo, tree branch or shepherd's hook.
How do you stop rain chain splatters?
0:012:21How to reduce splashing on your Link Style Rain Chain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLink chain reducers help reduce splashing at the top of your rain chain even more by funneling andMoreLink chain reducers help reduce splashing at the top of your rain chain even more by funneling and slowing down.
Can a gutter chain rest on the ground?
Stake It to The Ground The simplest way to anchor your rain chain to the ground is by using an Anchor Stake or Anchor Pin. These stakes provide a single point on the ground for you to attach your rain chain to. They come with some extra accessory chain to get the perfect fit.
How do you attach a rain chain to the ground?
When installing your rain chain, use a tape measure to determine the distance from the existing rain gutter to the ground. Once you know the length, remove the existing downspout. Inside the gutter hole, insert the gutter bracket, or V-hook. From there, attach your rain chain.
Do you anchor a rain chain?
Secure Your Rain Chain to The Ground Step #5: Anchor your rain chain to the ground. It's necessary to secure your rain chain at the bottom so that it does not swing freely in the wind and hit surrounding structures causing damage to your home or rain chain.
Do you have to anchor a rain chain?
Anchor your rain chain. Because rain chains are loosely detached from the structure and hung from your gutter, anchoring your rain chain is important. In the event of harsh weather elements, you want to secure your rain chain in place so it can resist high winds and avoid any damage to your rain chain.
How does a rain chain work?
How Rain Chains Work. As the rainwater moves along your gutter system, rather than falling into a downspout, it will collect instead at the top of a chain that will give the rainwater a surface to trickle down as it heads toward the ground.
Why do people use rain chains?
Homeowners often opt for copper thanks to its incredible patina, which only gets better with age and provides a beautiful lived-in appearance. Rain chains are an excellent tool for adding a personal touch to your home’s exterior.
How do gutters work?
Your gutter system is comprised of tubes or half-tubes that capture rainwater from your roof, move it to the corners of your home, and then allow it to fall to the ground and away from your home via vertical attachments called downspouts. Though there is a huge selection of gutter colors, styles, and materials, more homeowners than ever before are moving away from traditional downspouts in favor of more decorative rain chains. Because they come in so many materials and styles, homeowners are sure to find a product that suits their individual needs and preferences. Some look much like traditional linked chains, but others are made of “cups” strung together on a chain, instead.
What is the most basic rain chain?
The most basic rain chains – and often the most affordable – are aluminum variations that resemble decorative versions of standard linked chains. Many models are copper, however, and while they are heavier and more expensive than their aluminum counterparts, they will last for years.
Can you use a rain chain alone?
Though rain chains do work best when used alongside traditional gutters, they can also be used alone if you install them in locations where rain naturally flows from a roof or awning.
Can you extend a rain chain into a drain?
Homeowners can choose to extend the rain chains out into their yards, into a drain, or into a decorative container at the end of each chain. For homeowners who choose to have the chains reach out into the yard, they must be staked in order to be functional.
What is a rain chain?
Like with downspouts, a rain chain carries rainwater collected from the gutter down and away from the roof. Unlike a downspout, rain chains have two extra duties: elegance and melody. Not only are they beautiful, but they also sound like a day at the spa when the rain trickles down.
What is the purpose of a rain chain?
You can direct a rain chain into a rain barrel or decorative basin to save rainwater for later use in the garden or to service an irrigation system. A few other uses for collected rainwater: Cleaning outdoor surfaces. Bathing pets.
Why use rain barrels?
Using rain barrels is especially nice in hotter areas where there are water shortages. Rain barrels can come with a faucet and hose attachment at the bottom of the barrel, making it easy for you to access the water. Basins are generally small and won’t collect as much water. RELATED: Solved!
What are some examples of chains?
Examples of chain designs include hearts, leaves, and hummingbirds.
What are the two main styles of rain chains?
The two main styles of rain chains are cups and chains. Cup rain chains feature small containers linked together. The rain collects in the top cup and then spills over into subsequent cups in the chain. Cups move more water than chains, and you can find almost any shape you can think of, including fish, umbrellas, and watering cans.
Do you need to empty a rain chain?
The main job of a rain chain is hanging and waiting for the rain. You don’t need to empty, clean, or check anything. Plus, they look pretty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can you use rain chains to collect rainwater?
Rain chains come in various styles, but if you like DIY projects, these make a relatively easy project, and you can use them to collect rainwater for your garden. Read on to learn more about what rain chains are, and how to incorporate them around your home.
What is a rain chain?
Rain chains are a unique addition to a home’s rain gutter system. They function well and also add a pleasant waterfall sound as the rainwater travels downward from cup to cup or link to link. A pleasant ‘white noise’ sound is heard when just a chain is used without the cups. Most homeowners will place them near a window or landscaped area for a visual experience when it rains.
Can a downspout drain water from a gutter?
Normally a downspout will drain rainwater from the roofs gutters onto the concrete or lawn and the same can be done with a rain chain. The difference is the rain chain doesn’t have a tube and corners to flow through. It will not clog the gutters or drain system with leaves and debris.
How long does it take for copper rain chains to change color?
Keep in mind when buying a copper rain chain or the basin…it changes color over time! It’s very normal to start having spots show up after a few weeks and after months it changes to a natural patina.
What is a rain barrel?
Rain Barrels. 1. Copper Rain Chain Basin. The copper basins are very versatile and will add more flair to your copper rain chain if that’s what you have. Majority of the copper basins are shaped like a bowl or dish and sit on the ground or on a stand. They can double as a rain basin as well as a birdbath so keep that in mind.
How to keep copper basin from swaying?
If you do go with the copper basin I would suggest you place some stones at the bottom of it to keep it from swaying in the wind. Unless you have secured it to the ground another way, rain chains will move all around when it’s windy and if it’s attached to the basin and not secure I would hate to see what would happen.
Can you use rocks as a drainage system?
Whatever your imagination can see, or whatever idea you find online, the possibilities for using rocks/stones as a drainage system is almost limitless.
How does a rain chain work?
Rain chains work best with a vertical water source, where the water is pointed down onto the chain. Suspending a chain from the end of a canale doesn't work very well. Closing the end of the canale is dangerous to the roof, as water can back up if the hole for the rain chain isn't large enough to drain quickly enough.
What is a rain chain?
The "chain" is a series of cups, with top connecting wires. The top and bottom wires intersect when you assemble it to make a chain of cups. If you received these two things (a number of cups and, separately, their top connecting wires), that is the rain chain. Back to top.
How much weight does a rain chain weigh?
Our rain chains are supported just fine by a normal gutter. A standard 8.5' length of rain chain ranges from 5-7 pounds, although the water in the chain during rainfall does add a little to that. Long drops (20+ feet) may require some additional gutter reinforcement. Contact us (link) if you have questions and for further guidance.
What is the purpose of rain chains?
The chain's purpose is to break the fall of the water and direct it downward gently, minimizing erosion and splash.
How to age chain?
Unfinished chains will age pretty quickly if they get wet a lot. If it's not raining often when you install them, try hosing them down. You can also make up a spray bottle with a light saltwater solution and spray your chains regularly. Patina solutions are available at home improvement stores like Home Depot, if you want to try chemically aging the chains yourself. It's not as good, thick or rich as our commercial patinas, though! Please be aware that salt and/or chemicals are not good for your plants! Also see our page "Patina Facts" (link) and "Patina DIY" (link) for more information.
Is there a separate part in the gutter?
Neither, and both! It's a separate part that sits in the gutter and the rain chain hangs from it below.
Can rain chains be used without gutters?
If water is arching off the roof, the chain may or may not catch or transport all of the water in both light and heavy rainfall conditions.
What is a rain chain?
Rain chains are a kind of decorative downspout for a gutter system. Rain water pours out of the gutter and onto a series of rings or cups. These help to channel the water down to the ground where it is either stored in a rain barrel or simply diverted away from the building. A set of rain chains can add a lot your house in both appearance and sound.
Where should I set up rain chains?
I recommend setting them up in a place where you can enjoy the sight and sound of the rain chains such as a covered porch. Next you need to decide what you will have below the rain chains to handle the water.
How to attach a cup to a larger chain?
Now you need to attach the cups to the larger chain. Start by attaching one end of the plumber's chain to one of the holes at the top of a cup. Then loop the plumber's chain through one of the links in the larger chain. Then hook the other end of the plumber's chain to the other mounting hole in the cup.
How many holes do you need to attach a cup to a chain?
The cups will be hung onto the main chain with a series of smaller chains. In order to attach these chains, we need two holes at the top of each cup.
Can rain chains handle water?
The rain chains cannot handle much water. If there is too much water, it will just spill out over the sides and splash onto anything nearby. So I recommend keeping the hole small. I used a 11/16 hole saw to make the hole. Ask Question.
Do rain chains freeze?
Keep in mind that a set of cup rain chains will fill up with ice in the winter. So if your gutters are not strong enough to support the weight of the chains, cups and a fair amount of ice, then you may want to take them down when the weather starts to freeze. Ask Question.
Can you use a rain barrel to store water?
But the ideal solution is a rain barrel that can store water for later use with your lawn or garden.
What is the function of a rain chain?
Rain chains function much like regular downspouts. Apart from aesthetic appeal, their function is simply to guide the water down to the ground. Anywhere that a regular downspout would drain--a basin, a rock, a channel, the lawn, a rain barrel, a rain garden--so can a rain chain.
How long is a rain chain?
Look at the length (other retailers are selling chains that are 6 feet in length and try to pass it off as a full chain) Don’t be fooled, at Rain Chains Direct we only sell full length, 8.5 feet chains.
How long does it take for a rain chain to ship?
When you order a rain chain from Rain Chains Direct, it ships out within one business day. We use Amazon fulfillment service, so your order will come in a timely, trackable and reliable way. We also love answering questions and solving problems!
Can copper rain chains be used on metal gutters?
Since copper is high on the galvanic scale, a copper rain chain will not be affected by any metal gutters. Aluminum gutters are low on the galvanic scale so may be affected over time at the contact point by copper, however this can be mitigated by using a clear coat lacquer or clear primer on the surfaces that come into contact.
Can a rain chain fall down?
With enough weight the rain chain can overpower the strength of the hanging hook and it can fall down. One way to take precautions against this is to use a gutter reducer {link}. A gutter reducer is stronger than the hook that comes with the rain chain and therefore can withstand more weight.
Can rain chains freeze?
Rain chains can freeze over in the winter. Normally this does not cause any problems and can be quite beautiful. However, some attention must be paid to both the amount of ice that is gathering on the chain and the length of the chain. As both lengths and amount of ice increases, so does the weight on the chain.
Can you use a rain chain in the winter?
Yes. Rain chains hold up fine in the winter, even in very cold and freezing climates. The only caution here is that the weight of the ice on the rain chain does not become too heavy for the stock hanging hook. This is why the best practice is to use a Gutter Installer, which is a much stronger connection to the gutter than the hanging hook.
What is a rain chain?
What is the function of a rain chain? Rain chains are a beautiful and functional alternative to your homes traditional downspouts. Unlike a downspout, rain chains allows you to watch the cascading water through the cups or links with the soothing sound of flowing water. Cup styles tend to offer more of a tinkling sound than the link styles.
What color are rain chains made of?
Aluminum rain chains will develop a rich dark silver grey color as they age. Brass rain chains turn a bronzy/brown color over time. Most of our rain chains have no lacquer so they will age over time.
How long should a loctite rain chain be?
This helps them stay secured, especially in windy or cold locations. It's also important to use Loctite® for rain chains longer than 10-feet in length. Loctite® is available at any hardware or home improvement store. This product will secure the nut but it will still be removable.
How to open a link rain chain?
For most link style rain chains, you can use two pliers or a vise and pliers, then twist a link to open it and remove chain lengths.
How long do rain chains last?
This does depend a little on where you live, how much rain you get and how acidic the rain is. Rain chains will last for decades.
What prevents rain from hitting the ground?
The basin or rain barrel options prevent the rain from hitting the ground directly, while the anchors will hold your rain chain in place and the water will hit the ground. Click here to view all of our rain chain accessories.
Can you use a rain chain on a roof?
No. Although rain chains work best when attached to a rain gutter they can also be used wherever the water flows off of your roof, awning, or shed . It is helpful when the water flow is concentrated into the rain chain to maximize the function of the rain chain. Without a gutter, water pours off the "valley" where two roofs join.
