Installing Chains Without a Gutter

One of the most frequent questions we get regarding rainchains isif a rain chain can be successfully used without the benefit of agutter.  The simple answer is, in most cases, they can be used.  But,all situations are different and for a rain chain to work without agutter, the water would have to come down from the roof in a verticalmanner to a point, such as a corner or valley of a house. The rainchain would have to positioned or hung beneath the flow to actefficiently and catch the rain water. Here is an example of one customer's solution:

 

 

One of our customers created his own solution to this problem that notonly looks great but also works well.  Unfortunately, we do not sellthe pots or buckets, but I have seen them at local hardware stores suchas Home Depot or Lowes.

Another question we get regularly is regarding homes in theSouthwest which have canales which usually have a closed end.  Thesecanales come in many forms; but most of them usually force the water togo horizontally instead of vertical; which is  what a rain chains needsto work efficiently.  I have customers who have successfully drilled ahole in the canale which enabled them to hang a rain chainsuccessfully.  The bucket system mentioned above has also been usedused by several satisfied customers.  There are many differentingenious ideas for rain chains, and they do not all have to include atraditional gutter system.
 
When rain chains are used in cold, icy climates, do they have tobe removed because of ice buildup?  This is another popular questionthat is asked frequently.  Many people choose to take them down and putthem back up in the spring. But many also choose to leave them up andwatch the beautiful ice sculptures that form on and around the chain. While you do take a chance when there is a heavy buildup, that thechain may break; we have gotten very few complaints regarding this. Please go back to our testimonial link to see the beautiful icescuptures that several of our customers have shared with us.  One luckylady even won our Mothers Day Contest with her interesting picture ofice surrounding her rain chain.