Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook installs a decorative and functional alternative to a downspout.
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Cost: $75
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools List:
Shovel [https://amzn.to/32WEu3V]
Masonry drill [https://amzn.to/3084USN]
Shopping List:
Rain Chain [https://amzn.to/2OcGp0c]
Pot [https://amzn.to/2M5wFlE]
3/4 inch stone [https://amzn.to/31CvJvN]
Decorative river stones [https://amzn.to/34OsiUK]
Steps:
1. Decide where the rain chain will be hung and install a downspout outlet in the gutter in the desired location.
2. Dig a hole slightly wider than the width of your pot and at least 6” deep directly underneath the downspout outlet.
3. Fill the hole with the 3/4 inch stone.
4. Flip the pot upside down and drill a few drainage holes with a masonry drill.
5. Put the pot in place on top of the hole filled with stone.
6. Next, hang the rain chain. Most rain chains usually come with specific installation instructions. It should hook right into the downspout outlet.
7. Once the rain chain in hung, put the chain in the pot and fill the pot about three-quarters of the way with the 3/4 inch stone.
8. Fill the pot the rest of the way with the river stones. Use whatever is left over to cover the base underneath the pot as well.
Resources:
Roger installed a Circle Rain Chain, manufactured by Grasslands Road [https://amzn.to/2O6vBkm] (https://www.grasslandsroad.com/catalogs/grasslands_road/). They can be found at some garden shops and also ordered through online retailers.
Everything else Roger used for this project, including the stones, gravel, and mulch, can all be found at home centers and nurseries.
Later, in the workshop, Roger showed three more decorative rain chains that included Lily Cups and Watering Cans by Ancient Graffiti [https://amzn.to/30aVnLn] (https://www.ancientgraffiti.com) and Fish Pure Copper by Good Directions [https://amzn.to/309AGzG] (http://www.gooddirections.com/).
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we’re ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O’Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Install a Rain Chain | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/
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There was nothing about how to install a rain chain. misleading title
looks like a good home for mosquitos
Roger has some of the best segments on the show
How can rain water be moved away from the foundation. The roof is flat and projects about 4’ from the side of the building. The holes where the down spouts were are about 3’ from the side of the building. Over the years the rock that is directly under the 4’ projection of the roof has receded into the earth and the water pools and is absorbed along side the foundation. The lawn that is +4’ from the building is now higher than the bed of rocks.
I like the idea of the rain chain but how can we move the water
That's a great looking solution. Her porch area looks gorgeous!
Hope your doing better Roger! Thanks for all the tips over the years.
I would've taken the opportunity to powerwash that pot. Our house we bought this year had 2 sitting on either side of the front porch… green like that. Gave them a powerwash and in around half an hour they were nice and white.
I'm wondering how a rain chain performs in the winter?
LOL-I like the way you refer to this thing like it's a standard accessory in wide use. The precious metal touch makes this thing gaudy and out of place for the house. Surprised the homeowner bought it.
This video activated my Google home for some reason @3:36
All they did was make a big hole with rocks. You need to add a drain pipe for the water to go some where.Other wise it's probably eventually create a massive water puddle if there is lot's of heavy rain storms coming through.And you could get a leaking basement if you have one. You need drains they are too worried about looks..I would rather have a downspout that works.
Not only did this not fix the problem but the idea that you cant secure a small drain to that 6×6 beam is an actual joke. Other than aesthetics, I dont see why anyone would ever use these chains. This is a total mickey mouse “solution”. Also that flower bed should have an edger to hold the mulch.
home girl was dressed to sweat. Love this guy. Put one down right there-keep 'em coming.
He could have done the exact same install except instead of drilling holes in the bottom of the pot he could have just drilled a large hole to the side of the pot and add a downspout diverter to the side of the pot and when the water gets in the pot it would go out the side and be diverter away from the house
Rogah!
You should never advise that people put mulch against their foundation.
Thanks Roger, it’s been good.