For centuries the Japanese have understood the benefits of the relaxing sound of water on the human mind and body. The rhythmic, constant sound of running water creates a soothing “song” that helps the mind unwind and the body release pent-up stress. That’s why you’ll find rain chains hanging in Japanese gardens and dangling from the roofs of pagodas and temples in Japan.
The Japanese call them kusari-doi, which literally translates to "chain-gutter". This ancient idea has made its way to the West and is quickly becoming a favorite for garden enthusiasts and backyard lovers alike. Rain chains are a beautiful way to transport water from rooftops to the ground. Not only do they sound soothing when rainwater runs over them, but they also look beautiful as well.
Rain chains are a wonderful addition to any home or garden. But don’t be fooled, besides sounding and looking beautiful, these decorative chains serve a practical purpose as well. They can replace typical downspouts on gutters to safely direct water from the roof to the ground below. And unlike downspouts, rain chains are clog-resistant, so leaves, sticks, and acorns aren’t a problem.
Rain chains come in two main types - link and cup styles. Link styles feature a similar decorative link throughout the chain. Cup styles feature small containers with holes in the bottom connected by links. The cups are spaced every six inches to a foot and catch the water as it flows down. Cup-style rain chains can move more water than the link style, but otherwise, there is no real advantage to either style. Both are beautiful and functional.
When it comes to catching the rain at the bottom of the chain, you have several choices as well. You can choose a decorative basin made of resin, ceramic, or concrete. If you’d like to collect the water to reuse it in other areas of your garden, you can choose a rain barrel. Or you can create a French drain to move the water away from the foundation underground. French drains can be topped with decorative gravel for a beautiful, natural look where the water simply disappears into the ground.
One of the best things about rain chains is how easy they are to install. Simply remove the downspout, and insert the gutter bracket (most rain chains come with a bracket to connect them to the gutter system) which is basically a V-shaped hook. Then simply attach the chain. If you need more length, (perhaps you are hanging the rain chain from a second-story roof) you may need to attach an additional chain. Measure from the bottom of the gutter to the ground. Subtract 2" for the V-hook and subtract for any object that might be placed under the chain (like a basin or barrel). Then you’ll know if you need to purchase more than one chain. You can secure your rain chain at the bottom as well, but it’s not always necessary.
Thanks to their popularity, there are as many choices of rain chains as there are personal preferences. From elegant copper, to fun and whimsical, to bright and colorful, you’re sure to find one you’ll fall in love with. You can find them at garden centers, nurseries, home improvement stores. Start shopping now so you can hang your rain chain in time for the April showers!
For centuries the Japanese have understood the benefits of the relaxing sound of water on the human mind and body. The rhythmic, constant sound of running water creates a soothing “song” that helps the mind unwind.
