In most households, having a rain chain is nothing short of a stunning decorative addition to their rainwater collection system. However, they still remain functional directing water into storage vessels and drains whenever there is a downpour.
More so, have you heard the magical aesthetic chimes when rainwater flows down the cups while the bells are arranged down the chain? If I must say, the sounds are purely mystical.
But is it all rosy with rain chains? Why is it that some people have them while others have stuck with the conventional downspouts?
Well, if you are looking to buy one for your gutter system, it would be best to check out the rain chain pros and cons. Remember, you are looking to spend on something that will serve your purpose.
Invalid table id.Rain Chain Pros and Cons
If you are ready for this, no need to waste time. Continue reading along.
Pros of Rain Chains
Here is why most people are getting rid of downspouts and installing rain chains.
1. They are Beautiful
The main selling point of rain chains is that they are aesthetic and more appealing to the eyes than the orthodox downspouts. They add character, giving your front view a whole new outlook and creative design.
Not only does it provide an attractive appeal, but it also serves the primary purpose, which is directing water to the drains or storage vessels.
Check out this beautiful polished Monarch rain chain made of pure copper
2. They are cheaper
In most cases, the process of beautification is usually expensive. But that is not the case with rain chains. While downspouts can cost as high as $32 for each foot of installation, rain chains can cost about $40 for the entire unit.
Check out this cheap decorative Iron rain chains.
3. Pleasant sound
When you listen to the mystical sounds from the chains when it rains, you might want to pray that it never stops raining. Especially when it comes from your garden, and you can see the beautiful view from your porch. The charming noises are purely therapeutic.
Check out this pure copper rain chain with bells.
Cons of Rain Chains
Despite the fantastic benefits of rain chains, some snags speak quite too loud.
1. They are less sturdy
If you live in areas with high amounts of rainfall, installing a rain chain may not be what you want for your home. Often, they become overwhelmed and tend to misdirect water flow, causing erosion and even flooding around the foundation of your house.
2. Ineffective in directing water flow
Traditionally, you could place pots down the rain chains to trap the flowing water from getting into the foundation and causing erosion around the house.
However, in heavy rainfall, the pots tend to get filled up quickly, making it even worse when the water overflows.
Rain Chain Effectiveness
Take this to the bank; rain is one of the significant challenges homeowners face as they try to protect their homes and roofs. Most use downspouts, while others slowly adapt to the new trend of rain chains to direct the water flow down the drain.
No doubt rain chains are stunningly appealing, and the beautiful noises when rainwater hits the cups and bells are even more satisfying. But how effective are they when it comes to directing the flow of water from the roof gutters?
For one, they work just like downspouts, both directing water to your desired location. But there is a significant drawback, heavy rainfall. Often it overwhelms the rain chains misdirecting the water flow to the storage vessel or drains.
However, in areas with moderate rainfall throughout the year, rain chains are the best alternative to downspouts. You will have melodious noises when it rains while still giving your home a striking appeal to onlookers.
That is why it is important to look at the rain chain’s pros and cons before purchasing one.
How to Keep Rain from Blowing in on Porch
Common Rain Chain Problems
If you think beyond beautification and hope that rain chains will solve all your rainwater problems, I hate to disappoint, but probably they are not what you are looking for. For one, they are less sturdy and will get overwhelmed during a heavy downpour.
Additionally, if you live in windy areas, rain chains will get blown over, creating unnecessary noise that is not appealing to the ears. Also, you will need to install additional downspouts if you really want to have rain chains.
Despite all the modifications you can make on a rain chain, they still can’t match downspouts in terms of effectiveness. One downside is that they are open, and wind will often blow the water away from the drains or towards the house.
How to divert rainwater away from house
Are Rain Chains Effective?
What is your end game when installing a rain chain in your home? Is it to direct water flow to the drainage system or make the front of your home more appealing and beautiful to onlookers?
If you are looking to better the water flow to the drains, I suggest you confirm the weather patterns in your location. Remember, rain chains don’t work so well in stormy and windy areas, so they may not be as effective.
But if the weather is calm and the rains are just enough, you are good to go with the rain chain.
Suppose your end game is to improve the front look of your home and make it more beautiful. I suggest you try out a rain chain. You can’t ignore the enchanting magical noises during rainfall.
More so, you can make some additional adjustments to control the flow of water, such as installing downspouts at the bottom or holding the chains firm with gutter clips like the one below.
How to store Rainwater for Plants
Rain Chain Pros and Cons: FAQs
Do rain chains work in heavy rain?
While rain chains give your home an appealing appearance, they may not be able to function properly, especially in heavy downpours.
However, there are different rain chains, all acting differently in different weathers. All in all, you need to ensure that you attach it properly to the gutter during a storm.
Are rain chains good?
If you want to beautify your home and give it a classic appeal, rain chains are the best.
However, they may not provide the same greatness during a windy storm or heavy rainfall. For such weather conditions, you would rather install a downspout.
Do rain chains make noise?
When it rains, water flows down the chain hitting on the cups and bells arranged along the chain, producing a certain melody that most people find therapeutic.
But the same is likely to be annoying to some people, especially during strong winds and heavy rainfall.
How well do Rain Chains work?
For a while, I used to think that rain chains would work exactly the same way as downspouts would, but I must admit I was wrong.
In fact, they use a totally different concept; surface tension. While downspouts allow water to flow down in an enclosed material, rain chains use surface tension to slow down water speed as it flows down the chains. Although not quite as effective as downspouts, they still serve the purpose.
Since the water is flowing at a much lower rate down the chain, it reduces the associated energy such that when it hits the ground, there is little to no erosion.
Furthermore, you can collect the rainwater in a barrel or let it flow to the drainage system to prevent any sort of erosion.
While some people have stuck with the conventional downspouts for their rainwater collection systems, most adapt rain chains as an alternative means. But before making a purchase, you must look at the rain chain pros and cons to determine if it suits your type of weather.
One major upside of the rain chain is that it is beautiful and gives your home a more stunning look.
However, one major drawback seems to let the rain chain down. It is not sturdy, and heavy rainfall or a windy storm will likely overwhelm the rain chain.
