Property owners nowadays are more keen than ever on getting the best look for their properties. This, after all, will be the first thing anyone will see, and will thus be the basis for their perception of the property as a whole. For example, while protection from water damage is vital, you would not want the protective elements you invest in to sully or ruin the look you are aiming for.
Therefore, most people would want to do away with the downspouts attached to their gutters, as these are not especially aesthetically pleasing and match few outdoor décor elements.
Lack of downspouts, as commercial roofing contractors will attest, negatively affects your property’s protection from water damage. Thankfully, you can substitute the downspouts with rain chains, to direct rainwater from the gutters to your drains and away from the house’s foundation. These originated in Japan, where they were used to collect rainwater and direct it into run-off basins. Nowadays, they form part of all properties aiming for a creative outdoor look. They also have the added benefit of generating the soothing sound the water makes as it trickles down the chains. The following are your rain chain alternatives for water damage protection.
Cup Chains
These are the leading rain chain choice and are the most popular in Japan. In this design, the rain chains feature aluminum or copper cups that collect and hold water. Then, when the cup is full, overflowing water runs down a chain linking one cup to the next to fill the next cup until it reaches the ground. Since cup rain chains hold water, they generate fewer splashes compared to other types of rain chains. Moreover, their length can be easily increased or decreased as needed. Even so, they are prone to breakage when they become too heavy from the water they hold. Cup rain chains are used near doors, windows and walkways.
Link Chains
These feature interlocked double rings that direct water from your gutters to the ground. Link chains are often made of plastic, aluminum or copper and are relatively cheaper compared to other options. Unfortunately, they splash water around their original trajectory. To this end, they are not the best choices near walkways, windows and doors. Furthermore, link chains are challenging to lengthen or shorten and might need some soldering to change their length.
Funnel Chains
These are particularly effective for channeling water into barrels or cisterns. This is because unlike cup chains, they will not hold the water but instead allow a constant flow into the container. Funnel chains are, therefore, the leading choice for property owners keen on water harvesting.
Pot Chains
These feature miniature terracotta or metal pots such as those used for growing flowers, and they work much like link chains. They are connected using a chain that runs from a hole drilled into the base of one pot to the next. Pot chains can be customized in virtually any color and design to match the other elements in your exteriors.
The above rain chain alternatives may not be appropriate for all properties. If for instance your region experiences heavy rain or snow falls, downspouts might be your ideal choice since these hold considerable volumes of water. Your roofing contractor may nonetheless still recommend combining rain chains with downspouts to handle the high water flow.
