Outdoor Oasis: The Rain Chain

Living in Vancouver it can get pretty wet. Annually, we receive about 1117 mm, or 44 inches of rain per year. This is equivalent to the average height of a seven year old boy or girl (Sasamat Outdoor Centre, 2010). Dealing with the rain in style may be tough, but here’s a trendy way to upscale your old gutter downspout in your yard.

What is a rain chain? A rain chain is an appealing yet functional alternative to the more traditional gutter downspout. Guiding rainwater from your roof to the ground, this method creates a pleasing water feature with its lovely waterfall sound.

How does a rain chain work? A rain chain works the same as a gutter downspout. Rainwater will travel down to chain where the downspout is located. From there, the rainwater will continue to travel down the chain into copper or brass cups. These cups and chains can come in many different shapes, truly making each rain chain unique. The rainwater follows the continuous pattern of traveling down from chain links to a cup until it reaches the ground.

Why should I get a rain chain over a gutter downspout? Rain chains create a visual experience. They can be very mesmerizing and add a nice charm to your outdoor space. Also, rain chains are much more functional as they do not clog your drain system with debris and will not leave you with that annoying droplet sound.

These little waterfalls are great for places like Vancouver who get rain 9 months out of the year. They are a great accessory for any outdoor living space. Here are a few websites that I found had the best designs:

-   rainchains.com
-   rainchainsuperstore.com
-   hayneedle.com/rainchains