You might have mistake this fashionable out-of-door feature for a wind chime or cosmetic emphasis , but rain chain offer more than just curb appeal .
piss is one of your dwelling ’s biggest threats . trough and drains along the roof are full of life tohome care alimony . It ’s substantive to have a mechanics to guide water down to the ground and prevent it from damage your home ’s roof , attic , or interior . Most U.S. homes expend a metal downspout , but an ornate feature known as a rain chain with roots in Asia is becoming more democratic . A rain chain is a downspout option that ’s both attractive and effective .
What Is a Rain Chain?
to begin with calledkusari - doi , rainwater irons originated in Japan , where they ’re still used to keep water overflow off from roof and fundament of homes . Beautiful and extremely functional , rainwater chains impound to gutters and maneuver rainwater to the dry land or a pee - harvest home receptacle . They ’re used for houses , garden pagoda , temple , and other iconic options in Japan .
The popularity of rain chain has soared in the United States in late years , and it ’s not surprising . Rain chains can be funDIY projectsthat the entire mob can enjoy . Even when store - bought , pelting chain of mountains add alone charm that downspouts do n’t offer up . They also derive in multiple colors and styles , though most aremade of copperor other metallic finish .
What Is the Purpose of a Rain Chain?
If you ’re wondering what a rain chemical chain is used for , they have two primary purposes . The first , like in Japan , is to guiderainwater from the roof ’s gutterand drains down to the ground , where it can be absorbed into the lawn , run along the pavement to curbside drains , or be capture in a rainfall - harvest home pail . The 2nd is todecorate the home ’s exterior .
While most people are conservative withexterior nursing home colorsand designs , others want their homes to stand out from their neighbors . This outdoor lineament has the proper equilibrium of routine and whimsey .
Do I Have to Replace the Downspout to Use a Rain Chain?
Some people remove the existing downspout from the gutter channel to exchange it with a pelting chain . If your home has an luxuriant downspout pipe with an elbow and extensions , removing the exist draining system might be your fully grown challenge .
Before removing the downspout , clean the gutters thoroughly . Be careful not to damage the gutter or the exterior wall as youunscrew the downspoutand its elbows . Hold on to splash blocks , as you ’ll use them with the rain range . Most gutters already have an opening to commit a downspout , so you may use a V - form hook or a rain Ernst Boris Chain transcriber set inside that initiative to attach the rainwater concatenation neatly .
Jon Jensen

Credit: Brie Passano
How to Install a Rain Chain
If you add a pelting mountain chain along the trough channel or the eaves without dispatch the subsist downspout , you may use tin snips to open a diminished hole where the rain chain can be cling . cogitate cautiously about where to place the rain chain for the best performance and optical solicitation . People who collect rain may want to put the rainfall chain in the rear of the place to enamour some pee in a bucket or barrel . Others use a rain chain to channelize water to a visiblerock garden , garden plantation owner , orpicturesque spring . There are many options , but make indisputable that piddle drain by from the house and doesn’tseep into the foundation .
If your home does n’t have gutters , you ’ll desire to discover where water accumulates most on yoursloping roof . unremarkably , there ’s a corner or crevice where rain create small channel that television channel water down to the ground . That ’s where a pelting mountain chain is most good . Use S glom to tie a bull bucket to that recession , then pierce the bottom and hang the rain chain from the bucket .
Should I Switch to a Rain Chain?
During heavy rains , downspouts can make loud noises . pelting chain can create awaterfall - like sound effectas water drain through each level of the mountain chain . Many citizenry find this a calming , soothing phone , especially for children and pets who are easily startled .
If you need to replace your drain system , now is a good time to test a switch . Because rain concatenation age well , they may be a natural replacement for a broken , cracked , or leak gutter or downspout . In the United States , most rain chain are made of alloy , so they senesce attractively andcomplement brick , siding , and wood facade .
landscape gardening and house painting are costlier endeavors . A rainfall chemical chain is aninexpensive and gentle outdoor upgradethat leave a overconfident impression . Remember , you might want more than one . Rain chains can beattached to garages , homes , and carport overhangs .

Credit: Brie Passano
More Ways to Add Water Features to Your Outdoor Spaces
If awater featureis on your " must - have " inclination , there are plenty of creative and beautiful ways to add together one to your outdoor space . Build astand - alone pondfor a mini water garden to grow plants likewater cloverand water lily . A stand up - alone pond is a good accession to a deck of cards or balcony . Attract jolly birdswith a birdbath , and you ’ll be rewarded with birdsong all Clarence Day long . Birds profit gardeners since they junket on insect that can damage flora . Fountainsprovide an opportunity to add a specific style to your outdoor decor — from incur vintage items that can be used to build something unique to modern-day , sleek installations that play well withmodern computer architecture .

Credit:Jon Jensen