Rain Barrels...

8 years ago

I have no gutters on my house I bought last year, and fine with that (the roof overhangs the siding by 2.5 feet or more. But the water runs off the house in a few areas more than others, and one such spot is on top of my heat/AC unit. When that happens in the cold, the fan will ice/freeze - I need to pour hot water on it so it will free up and move. My fear is that if it happens when I'm not there to catch it, the motor will burn out.

So, I'm pondering putting a gutter just on that stretch of roof line, that ends with a rain chain that directs water into a rain barrel. One gutter guy I talked to didn't seem to have much positive to say about such an arrangement. I'm wondering if others are having success with such water harvesting, and if so, are you using a rain chain? Just seems more attractive than a typical downspout:

http://www.rainchains.com/

Featured Answer

hummingalong2

8 years ago

Not pretty, just seasonal, cheap and easy.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
I find it odd you do not proper drainage away from the house off the roof and what idiot put the heating and cooling under a water fall.
Lynn G thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
D M PNW
8 years ago
I would question whether a rain chain would work with a waterfall amount of water. Our last house had a metal dam to direct water away from our power panel.
Lynn G thanked D M PNW
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functionthenlook
8 years ago
Better yet who builds a house without gutters? I know it will not be cheap, but I would consider putting gutters on the house. Water not directed away from a home can cause many problems to a home.
Lynn G thanked functionthenlook
Stacey
8 years ago
You could add a gutter to that area with a French drain downspout directing the water away from the home.
Lynn G thanked Stacey
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
Check on having gutters installed everywhere. They'll increase your home's value, prevent leaks and protect the HVAC unit. May even lower insurance rates in some places.
Lynn G thanked decoenthusiaste
hummingalong2
8 years ago
Or build a roof over the units..
Lynn G thanked hummingalong2
Rawketgrl
8 years ago
Unequivocally - Use a gutter to divert water into a rain barrel.

Use a chain to direct water straight down (expect splashes about 3 feet in diameter away from chain when it really rains)

Paint the gutter to match the house to make it 'disappear'
Lynn G thanked Rawketgrl