Rain-Chain Fountain

Landscape designer Michael Glassman takes the concept of a rain chain one step further. Instead of funneling water from a rain gutter, he shows how to use a rain chain to dress up the flow of water from a garden fountain.

Although there are different styles of rain chains, Glassman uses a ring-style chain (figure A) to match the Asian-inspired garden where his fountain is to be located. An added bonus of this rain chain is that it is made of copper, and, over time as the water cascades over the chain links, it will develop a nice blue-green patina.

The next step is to decide on a location for the fountain. Glassman selects a spot where the rain chain fountain will be a focal point in the main seating area on the patio. After purchasing a large-sized ceramic pot which will be used to contain the fountain’s water flow, he digs a shallow hole, the size of the pot's base, to stabilize the fountain in its chosen location. He places the pot and backfills the soil around the base, firmly pressing the soil in place. Note: The pot used here was selected for its large opening to reduce splashing.

A pump is placed in the bottom of the ceramic pot. This will pump water from the base of the pot, up through the PVC-lined bamboo poles and out through a spicket at the top before tumbling down the rain chain. To keep water from draining out of the ceramic pot, Glassman plugs the drainage holes, using a rubber cork with a silicone sealant for a waterproof seal.

To determine where the hole for the pump's electrical cord and conduit pipe will go, he measures the necessary depth of water to keep the pump submerged in the pot. Once this has been determined, he uses a diamond drill bit designed for cutting through ceramic materials to make the hole. The pump is set in place with the electrical cord running out of the hole.

Although the rain chain doesn't weigh very much, it does require a sturdy support to compensate for the weight of the water flow. So Glassman marks the point at which the PVC connected to the fountain pump will exit the ceramic pot and enter the tall bamboo pole. Because the PVC is a 3/4-inch pipe, he drills a one-inch opening in the bamboo pole and positions the PVC through the center of the hollow bamboo timber.

The next measurement taken is where the waterfall will cascade from the extension arm out and over the rain chain. After placing the tall bamboo pole so that the extension arm hangs over the ceramic pot, Glassman marks the first hole on the underside of the extension arm directly above the center of the pot. He marks a second hole on top of the extension arm inside the tall bamboo pole and removes the smaller bamboo rod. For the first hole, he drills a one-inch opening only on the underside of the rod (figure D). The second hole is a one-inch opening driven completely through the rod.

A 3/4-inch PVC pipe is placed through the smaller bamboo rod, and an elbow connection attaches the PVC pipe inside the extension arm to the pipe inside the tall bamboo pole, thus making an L-shaped structure. Another elbow connection attaches the downspout, a short piece of PVC, to the PVC inside the extension arm.

The tall bamboo pole is set in place adjacent to the ceramic pot with the extension arm over the center of the ceramic pot. Glassman adds soil around the base of the pole and presses firmly in place (figure E). For heavier materials like a 4' x 4' timber, cement is a better option for maximum stability.

Glassman uses copper wire to stabilize the extension arm (figure F). It adds a decorative touch that complements the copper rain chain. Then he places a fitted cover over the PVC downspout (figure G).

Teflon tape is placed around the fittings on the pump to keep them watertight. Glassman installs a ball valve to attach to the pump so the amount of water coming through the downspout over the rain chain can be controlled. "If you don’t have a ball valve, you may get too much splashing, so this will control the water flow," he advises. PVC is connected to the pump and runs from this point through the hole in the ceramic pot to the hole at the base of tall bamboo pole. An elbow connection connects the two pipes.

Though he has chosen an eight-foot rain chain, Glassman wants a lot of it to go in the pot itself, so he attaches it right at the downspout (figure H). Much of the copper chain spills into the center of the ceramic pot. He adds water to the pot, just enough to completely cover the pump.

Blue glass mulch around the outside base of the ceramic pot adds the finishing touches. This is a beautiful way to accent special features in the yard and keep the weed growth down around the base of the fountain. (It's a good idea to put weed barrier down first, before adding the glass mulch.)

Finally, the pump is plugged in and turned on. The water cascades down the beautiful rain chain into the pot, creating a chain reaction of motion, tranquility, beauty, elegance and function (figure I).

Products

rain chain – RainChains.com