What is a rain chain?

The folks at GutterSupply.com are obviously known for their different types of gutters, as well as correlating guards and machines. But more people are starting to learn about how they can order a new rain chain – especially when it can be purchased at a bit of a discount.

So what is a rain chain and how will it help your home?

A rain chain is a unique alternative to having the more common and traditional downspout that helps drain the gutters. The rain chain uses a collection of cups and chains where the water will flow from the gutter and down to the ground. It’s a lot more visually beautiful to have instead of a much longer downspout that resembles a pole.

Additionally, a rain chain will also provide some easy listening acoustics that range from a small trickling of water traveling down the chain and all the way up to what can sound like a miniature waterfall.

History

The rain chain was first developed in Japan to create a water feature that carried water down to either a drain or storage container as a way of storing rain water. Some families in Japan, hundreds of years ago, even had the water deposited into larger barrels for the household to use down the road – for tasks such as baths, cooking, and laundry.

In many homes and temples, the Japanese would have the water from the rain chain flow into ceramic or stone pots to collect the rain as a way of providing even more of a display for the water collection. Even here in the United States, there are people who will want to have redwood or cedar containers underneath each rain chain – with smaller decorative pebbles inside the container.

Usually, the rain being collected regularly, would help moss grow in between the pebbles. There are also instances when some would use a paver tile or stones to help break the water’s fall.

Japanese temples had also incorporated the rain chain into the design of the buildings to add even more visual beauty when people would come to frequent. A similar product was also found in South America where the rain chain was considered a better option than machine downspouts.

Natural benefits

The idea of having a rain chain is how it can be linked to the Japanese term of feng shui – literally meaning “wind and water” – which is the art of moving matter in a specific order in an effort to create harmony within the environment. It is a practice that has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries.

In feng shui, there is another term of “chi” that represents the universal energy that surrounds us. Finding a balance between people and the natural elements of the environment is considered good chi. In a lot of ways, both can be accomplished with a combination of having a few rain chains as a way to have a peaceful and tranquil way to connect with nature.

Installation

The installation of a Rain Chains is very basic in nature and only involves having to hang the chain from a hole where the gutter’s downspout would usually hang and utilizing the attachment pieces that usually come with the gutter kit. In the event of a mismatch between the hole in the gutter and the chain, one might have to purchase a new installation kit to make the hole smaller to enable the water to trickle into the rain chain.

GutterSupply.com usually sells each type of rain chain at about eight and a half feet with nearly 20 cups per chain. Each style features cups and flower patterned cups that are open at the bottom to allow the flow of water.

More information

Additionally, GutterSupply.com will also offer various types of metal that compose the different rain chains – aluminum, copper, galvanized steel and zinc. The online gutter supply store also offers a vinyl gutter rain chain. For more information about the different styles and composition types of rain chains, as well as pricing, you can visit GutterSupply.com and click on the corresponding links for rain chains.

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Knowing the basics about gutter guards

One of the most tedious household chores home-owners loathe is cleaning their gutters of debris like leaves and twigs – which you wouldn’t want getting caught in the gutter’s downspout opening and prevent water from properly draining. If there’s any blockage, then the water can eventually lead to water damage to the roof – a very expensive fix that could have easily been prevented.

The gutter guard, through various incarnations, can help keep everything that isn’t water out of the gutter. Many of them have a low profile like the typical version of the gutter guard that goes for about $6 for five- and six-inch widths – along with a mill finish for the aluminum guard.

The basic types of gutter guards

•    Reverse curve – Designed to lead the rain water down into the gutter using a slit that will keep the leaves and other debris from going anywhere but to the ground.
•    Mesh – Imagine a sheet with several tiny holes that attach to the roof shingles that easily prevent blockage and will sift out leaves and twigs while letting the water flow.
•    Bottle Brush – Similar to having the bristles that keep birds away, pointing up to catch the tree debris while the water continues.
•    Nylon – These are best for defending against snow and ice during those winter months, and important in the Midwest and East Coast states.
•    Non-gutter cover – A series of either angled slats or flat strips that keep rain away from the roof.
•    Foam type – A guard that fits directly into the gutter to prevent debris from falling into it from the roof and nearby trees.

Protecting half-round gutters

While a very large majority – like 99 percent – have rain gutters of some kind. But a unique option is having a half-round option that act as a rain trough composed of metal and hangs just a little below the ease of the roof to catch the rain off the bottom edge. It is also just as effective in catching the snow as it melts and runs off the roof.

These gutters will still collect and guide the water towards the downspout onto either splash pads of anything the homeowner chooses – some even have collection containers for rain water to use later on.

Additional downspout accessories

There’s more than having the basic types of Gutter Guard to help protect your home’s overall health, which include these different accessories to provide extra protection from keeping anything other than rainwater from getting in.

•    Wire strainers – Prevents leaves and other debris from getting into the downspout, usually sitting inside the outlet leading to the downspout. These can come in either three- or four-inch sizes – made of either aluminum, steel or copper. There are also additional heavy duty options available online.
•    Flex-A-Spout – Imagine if you were able to bend around the different obstacles that can divert water away from the house and into the flexible downspout that can be moved and adjusted based on what your personal needs are for the home’s landscaping.

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Choosing a Gutter Supplier Over Big Box Products is a Smart Call

Have you been looking for a way to get a gutter ready in your home? Are you trying to add a half round gutter to your roof or another option with a unique design? If you take a look at what a gutter supplier can offer for your needs then you might find that you can get more out of your product when you ask for help.

In fact, a supplier may be a better entity to work with instead of a big box company. There are many reasons why a gutter supplier's products might be better for your use than what some massive corporation might have to offer.

What Gauge Do You Need ?

You might be amazed at the variety of gauge levels that you can choose from when finding different gutters for your home. The gauge refers to the thickness and strength of the unit in general.

You might want to measure the rain gutters that you want to use and then look for an option that is suitable for your home and the amount of rain that may come in your area. If you check on the right options for managing your home then you should have a fine option that is sensible for the needs you require.

How Long ?

You also have to see how long your units have to be. A direct supplier will be more apt to help you create half round gutters and other items that are measured to fit in your home. These gutters may be designed to fit in with a fine look if they are cut carefully.

Your home may be measured on each side to determine what you need to use. This will allow you to get the right kind of product that is measured to fit the exact specifications that you want to utilize at a given time.

Hangers are Important

You can get hangers to work on the body of your gutter system too. Suppliers can provide you with a variety of hangers based on the exact needs that you might have for making it work. Some hangers are stronger than others. There are also different hangers for the various sizes and styles of gutters.

Fewer Seams May Work

The problem with what so many big box companies have to offer is that they only offer 10 foot gutter sections. A system like this will create a lot of additional work seaming all of the different lengths together. A potential problem with this is the amount of seams this system creates. The more seams you have, the more opportunities for leaks to occur.

You can use fewer seams in a setup or even go with a seamless rain gutter design if you contact a supplier for your needs. A seamless gutter will feature a fine look that is nice and easy to manage and will not require as many costs as what you'd get elsewhere. The installation process for one of these seamless rain gutters will certainly be easier to manage as well.

If you contact a supplier of rain Gutters to help you out with your property then you should have an easier time with taking care of your Gutter setup. You should have an easier time with preparing your setup with care if you understand what you want to use.



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