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Rain
Chains: The Art of Collecting Rainwater
by Doug Pushard
 Though
few would argue that downspouts effectively direct water from
the gutter to the collecting tank, would we agree that they add
to the aesthetic appeal of a landscape? Probably not. Fortunately,
for people who wish to transcend function for form, there is another
option.
Rain
chains ('Kusari doi' in Japanese) offer a highly attractive and
unique alternative to traditional downspouts. They are hung from
the corners of your roof or canale to guide the flow of water
into large barrels to catch the water from the roof for household
purposes and gardening. They have been used for hundreds of years
in Japan, and are a perfect expression of the Japanese knack for
combining aesthetics and practicality.
The
principle is simple - rain chains do exactly what downspouts do,
but they do it in a way that brings visual pleasure and delight.
Rain swirls and flows down, creating a mesmerizing sense of motion
and tranquility right outside your window. And they are beautiful
on dry days too, as over time, copper rain chains develop a rich
blue-green patina. Rainchains can be an integral part of any garden.
Installing
rainchains is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1.
Measure from where the chain will attach on the roof to where
it wall fall (e.g. into the top of a rain barrel) and buy the
desired length.
2.
Connect the chain to the downspout. If installing on canales,
drill a hole in the canales to hook the chains to. Also, buy an
installation kit and a small dam to prevent the water from running
off the end of the canales. This can simply be a small, 1"
piece of metal fit across the canales with caulking on either
side.
3.
Install the rain catchment device of your choosing under the chain.
All
done! That's what it takes to reap the benefits of harvesting
rainwater and enjoying the beauty of the chains!
Chains
vary in style from simple chains bought at your local hardware
store to artistically designed copper chains that oxidize over
time. The Japanese often put a ceramic or stoneware pot beneath
the chain, adding to the beauty of the display. But rain chains
can also be dropped into traditional rain barrels or tied into
underground piping system of rainwater catchment systems.
Rain
chains may not be quite as efficient as gutters, especially in
areas prone to heavy downpours, but offer a highly attractive
alternative in areas where aesthetics are crucial. They are easy
to install, look great and can be a great addition to a rainwater
harvesting system.
More
Info
US Rainwater
Harvesting Vendors (by State)
HarvestH2o.com
RainChain Partner
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