Asked by: Gintautas Urquiçu
home and garden outdoor decorating

What is a gutter rain chain?

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Rain chains are a beautiful and functional alternative to traditional, closed gutter downspouts. Guiding rain water visibly down chains or cups from the roof to the ground, rain chains transform a plain gutter downspout into a pleasing water feature.


In this manner, do rain gutter chains work?

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. If you don't have guttering there, consider a corner leaderhead to catch the water and direct it onto a rain chain. A beautiful way to solve common drainage problems!

Secondly, are rain chains better than downspouts? Rain chains are less sturdy, and less high-capacity, than traditional downspouts. The obvious advantage, of course, is that they're much more attractive than most downspouts. They come in a variety of styles and finishes, including copper, which can patina over time to create a beautifully weathered look.

Also asked, can I use a rain chain without a gutter?

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. Divert rainwater without gutters or downspouts with a rain chain.

What is a rain chain and how does it work?

Rain chains are a beautiful and functional alternative to traditional, closed gutter downspouts. Guiding rain water visibly down chains or cups from the roof to the ground, rain chains transform a plain gutter downspout into a pleasing water feature.

Related Question Answers

Twila Cabañes

Professional

What are the benefits of a rain chain?

Rain chains are easy to install. Typically, they're attached to gutters or directly to the eaves of a building (most come with attachment kits), and like plastic downspouts, they help to divert rainwater runoff and reduce soil erosion outside of your home.

Betzabe Cuerda

Professional

Do rain chains splash?

While rain chains are beautiful, they do not have quite the utility of traditional downspouts. Since they are open, water can splash from the cups during heavy rain, which means you will want to hang the chains away from exterior walls.

Jan Schonen

Professional

Do rain chains make noise?

Rain chains are decorative alternatives to traditional downspouts connected to your roof gutters. Even though some people fear rain chains will be noisy as they catch and filter precipitation, most designs sound quite peaceful.

Arcadi Ivanescu

Explainer

Can rain chains be angled?

Can rain chains be hung at an angle? While a few degrees or so with a cup style rain chain will work, any more than that and the water will miss the next cup in the series. Link style chains don't work well at an angle.

Marinella Guina

Explainer

How do chain downpipes work?

The rainwater that falls on a roof must be managed so that it falls off of the roof in a controlled manner. Rain chains fulfill the purpose of the downspout by acting as the conduit through which water travels from the gutter lining the roof to the ground or catchment system below.

Florangel Gehmeyr

Pundit

How do rain chains work?

What Are Rain Chains? Rain chains are beautiful, functional chains that hang from your rain gutters, and in some instances, your roof. They guide rain down from the gutter to the ground and magically turn a rain downpour into an impromptu, stunning water display that you can watch.

Tida Altman

Pundit

What is the best rain chain?

Best Sellers in Rain Chains
  • Marrgon Copper Rain Chain – Decorative Chimes & Cups Replace Gutter Downspout & Divert Water…
  • U-nitt 8-1/2 feet Rain Chain for Gutter Embossed Medium Cup 8.5 ft Length.
  • Iron Dragonfly Decorative Rain Chain for Gutters | Unique Downspout Extension Home Décor |…

Rafaella Korspeter

Pundit

What's the purpose of a rain chain?

Rain chains are a beautiful alternative to a downspout. Widely used in Japan, their purpose is largely decorative, to make a water feature out of the transport of rainwater from the guttering downwards to a drain or to a storage container. They provide a nice tranquil sound and can be found on temples.

Lucilo Mallorca

Pundit

How do you anchor a rain chain?

Decorative rocks can also be added around the bottom of the chain, whether it is cascading into a receptacle or just going to the ground. The rocks give it a finished look and help anchor the chain. Fishing line or tent-like stakes can also be used to anchor the rain chains at the bottom, if there is a need.

Ousainou Rebolo

Pundit

How much rain can a rain chain handle?

(that's about one inch on 535 sq. ft.), a total of 1,250 litres (1.25 cu m, or 275 gal.) will hit, run down, and escape the impervious surface. It can be channeled along a gutter to a downspout — or rain chain — which directs it to ground level.

Nan Demenigo

Teacher

How can I divert water away from my house?

  1. BUILD A BERM, a small hill covered with grass or other plants that will divert runoff around what you want to protect.
  2. ROUTE THE WATER INTO A DRY WELL.
  3. GRADE BROAD SURFACES to direct runoff away from houses, sheds, barns, and patios.
  4. INTERCEPT THE WATER by using a swale, a shallow ditch with gently sloping sides.

Tyler Huml

Teacher

Do rain chains work in winter?

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.

Vsevolod Eisenstadt

Teacher

Can you hang a rain chain from a tree?

Rain chains do not have to be solely hung from gutters. They can also be hung from trees or used in conjunction with fountains or water wells.

Fathallah Strole

Teacher

Should I get rid of my gutters?

When installed and working properly, gutters are the primary mechanism for moving water off a roof and away from a building's foundation. If you have been contemplating removing your gutters, don't do it! If your gutters are damaged or are not performing as they should, have them replaced.

Nazario Tari

Reviewer

What is a rain diverter?

A rain diverter is a specially made piece of metal flashing available at home improvement centers that is used to divert rainwater away from a doorway.

Siyka Irazola

Reviewer

What is a rain chain basin?

A rain chain attaches to a gutter's downspout opening and works to to slow and control water runoff from the roof and direct it to the ground. A rain chain basin is a decorative basin designed to catch water from a rain chain; however, any suitable container will work.

Onesima Butrago

Reviewer

What is the purpose of a downspout?

A downspout exists to collect excess rainwater, carry it from the roof, and direct it away from the foundation. This piece prevents disastrous basement flooding and consequently, damage. On average, one downspout can drain up to 50 of gutter carrying rainwater.

Evora Mendiguibel

Supporter

How are gutters attached to House?

Place downspouts in inconspicuous locations if possible. Install oversized 3 x 4-in. downspouts on gutters that drain large roof areas or if you live in an area with torrential rains. Slope long gutter runs (40 ft. or more) down both directions from the middle and put a downspout on each end.

Emeterio Locasi

Supporter

How do you fix a downspout?

caulk & sealants
Remove any screws or connecting hardware at the joint and then disassemble the leaking portion of the downspout. You may need to remove other gutter or downspout sections near the leaky joint first. Clean any caulk or adhesive from both parts of the joint using a stiff wire brush.