Back on the (Rain) Chain Gang

Let it be known, I’ll use any excuse to listen to and promote old Pretenders songs. As far as I’m concerned, you just don’t hear tunes from Chrissie Hynde and her crew nearly enough. That’s why when I first came across Rain Chains Direct, and for whatever reason immediately thought of the song Back on the Chain Gang, I knew it was a product worth talking about on HomeFixated.

Don’t get me wrong, the rain chains from Rain Chains Direct are worthy of mention regardless of the song association this silly writer connected to the product – and here’s why.

At first glance, rain chains just look like chains or a string of open-bottom cups on a line. And, well, that’s what they are. It’s what they do that’s great. Instead of having a gutter drain that channels water off your roof and into the ground (and probably right along your basement), a rain chain can direct your runoff more efficiently – and it looks good while it does it!

Rain runoff or melted snow will follow the flow of the chain – you simply need to connect the chain to your roof and place the other end of the chain somewhere that works for you. Perhaps it’s into some plants in your nearby garden that could use the water more efficiently. Perhaps it’s into a collecting barrel that you’ll later use to water your lawn. Regardless, a rain chain will stand by you in your quest to have a greener home via water reclamation and it will look aesthetically pleasing while you do it.

Floral, link and styled cup designs are all available at Rain Chains Direct. All the rain chains are 8.5 feet long (and easily extended by adding additional rain chains to it) and available in weather-ready copper (sorry, no brass!) If you don’t care for those designs, you can stop your sobbing, Rain Chains Direct even shows you how you can make your own rain chain.

Rain chains at Rain Chains Direct will cost you anywhere from $75 to $135. I personally like the middle of the road Lilly Cups Rain Chains priced at $99.95.