Okay guys and gals, can anyone give some recommendations about installing rain chains? We put some in but have found that they hang to one side of the opening that the downspout would normally attach to. The result is that some of the water goes down the chain but at least half of it sprays out in a circle or to one side, especially if there is wind with the rain.
Can I get some recommendations on a more efficient installation technique so that all (or at least most) of the rain actually follows the chain?
Or are rain chains just good looking and not effective?
Thanks,
Doo
Replies
Take some very heavy wire or thin rod and bend it into a V shape. This points down thru the downspout hole and the chain hangs from it. Beware of hanging copper chain from galv gutter. If doing so, get brass rod to make the V.
The chains made out of cups work better than those made out of loops. We have some loops here that do not do well when it's windy. A lot of people here have heavy chain like anchor chain.... maybe that works better than the wire loops.
A new train station near me has the anchor chains from a high pedestrian bridge roof and they don't move a bit....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Not that the chains move, it's that the water blows off of them.
I got a chance to see them in some heavy downpours and the rain ran down well....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
David, thanks for your response.
So, does this "V" shape act as a funnel and guide the water? Or does it still spray out to the side in a real gully washer?
doo
The V shape just keeps the chain centered under the outlet.
Metal Roofing just ran an article on Rain Chains.
Apparently it is imperative to not use them on gutters that will be draining large volumes of water. IE: they work best only within certain capacity.
Eric
edit Sorry, meant this to go to dohickey
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Edited 5/29/2006 8:07 am ET by EricPaulson