If you are looking for the perfect outdoor water feature for your home – then you need to install a rain chain this year. Not only are they incredibly easy to put up, they are absolutely mesmerizing to see in action!
If you are unfamiliar with a rain chain, they are a unique decorative alternative to a traditional downspout in a home gutter system. Instead of rainwater simply exiting down a long and very boring covered downspout, a rain chain takes whisking away raindrops to a whole new level of excitement.
I have to admit that I never thought we would be writing an article about putting up a rain chain. But then a few years back when we were traveling, Mary and I came across one in action during a rain, and we both absolutely fell in love with it on the spot.
The Magic Of Watching A Rain Chain
It wasn’t long after that trip that we decided to install our very own rain chain at the edge of our covered outdoor kitchen and bar area in the barn. One day later, we happened to be working in our garage when a few raindrops hit the roof. Instantly, the race was on down to the barn to see it (we included video of it in action below in the article) in action. And it didn’t disappoint!
There is just something about hearing the sound of running water that really is soothing. And watching the water cling to the rain chain and wondering how it stays on the chain is equally captivating as well.
The funny thing is we still love watching it every time it rains today. As do visitors to our barn whenever a rain begins when they are there. Without fail, as soon as they see it work, the questions come. Where did you get that? How easy is it to install? And, do you think I could put one up?
The answer is always a resounding yes. As you will see below, installing one really is about as easy as it can get. It’s actually funny, there have been no less than 6 visitors to our farm that now own a rain chain. And I am sure there are more that we don’t even know about!
How To Install A Rain Chain
How A Rain Chain Works
So how does a rain chain work and keep the water heading straight down below? It’s actually all simple science. Water will always follow the path of least resistance. It will flow and drain wherever it can find the fastest path – and that is exactly what a rain chain under a gutter spout gives it – a fast path down!
By having a chain installed under a spout from the gutter above, water falls out of the spout. Using the basic principal of surface tension, the water then clings to the chain and follows it straight down.
There are all kinds of unique and interesting chain designs and styles to choose from. Some use ordinary chain links that allow water to follow each link down to the ground. Others use small pails or buckets that fill and spill over to the next pail as the water travels down.
- Affiliate Link: Jemeni 8.5 Feet Mobile Birds Rain Chain for Gutters with Attached Hanger
- Affiliate Link: 8.5 Ft. Leaf Rain Chain Water Feature for Outdoor Gutters and Downspouts
The list of options and styles really does go on and on, and selecting the right one for you really comes down to personal preference. But one thing is for sure, once you decide on your chain, putting it up is a snap!
How To Install A Rain Chain – The Basics
Maybe the best thing about putting up a rain chain is just how easy it is to install. Most designs can be put up in half hour or less, and with minimal tools.
Rain chains can quickly and easily be installed wherever a downspout is located. To start, you will need to remove the existing downspout. Most are usually attached with a few tiny screws that once you take out, allows you to slide the downspout off quickly.
One extra note here, it’s best to store the original downspout somewhere safe. Although you can leave rain chains up in the winter, if you get heavy amounts of snow or ice where you live, it’s best to take it down. When you do, you can then re-install the downspout for the winter months.
Installation
Once the downspout is off, it’s time to install the rain chain. Most kits will come with a gutter downspout adapter. This slips down in your downspout hole from the top and seals to the inside of the gutter. The adapter then has a through bolt to attach your rain chain to for easy installation.
If for any reason your rain chain kit does not have one, or you are using a homemade rain chain, you can purchase the adapters individually. They are fairly inexpensive and make putting up a rain chain very easy. Affiliate Link: Rain Chain Downspout Adapter
Once your rain chain is attached to the top – it’s time to figure out what you want the water to do when it gets to the bottom!
Creating An Escape For The Water – How To Install A Rain Chain Water Feature
There are several options for the water once it reaches the bottom. If you happen to have a drain below, you can simply attach the chain to the drain and the water will disappear. This is exactly how we have ours installed at the farm and it works really well.
To do this, you may need to remove a few links or sections of your chain if it is too long. Once you have the right length, secure it with a zip tie or metal tie to the drain cover.
If you don’t have a drain, you can instead use a small saucer or bucket to help contain and then slowly disperse the water away. Many will run the chain into a bucket or saucer filled with small stones or pebbles. The water then heads in, slowly flows out and over the rocks, and drains off to the side.
This can actually be quite attractive in addition to the chain system, becoming another water feature all on its own. We will be doing this on a future second install on one of our cabin rentals at the farm. I think we both know that it most likely won’t be the last building we attach them to either!
Here is to adding a rain chain water feature to your landscape this year! Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary.
Old World Garden Farm
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.