Why Copper is Important in Rain Chains

Copper is one of the few materials considered sustainable because of it ease to recycle 100% of it, unlike plastics or metal alloys that require big amounts of energy. It is estimated that nearly half of all the copper currently at use has been recycled and chances are that a copper item you have could’ve been made with metal that was mined thousands of years ago.

Besides, copper is known for lasting decades thanks to its durability and resistance to corrosion in any atmosphere; throughout the years, it will develop a greenish/bluish patina that will protect the metal and result in a beautiful and unique look for any item, a process most people enjoy. However, if you don’t want to wait for years for this to occur, there are some prepared solutions sold that can accelerate the process and make it happen in just some hours; or you could browse the web for home prepared solutions that will help you achieve the same results.

Making it even better for garden or landscaping enthusiasts, a copper rain chain is a beautiful replacement for a traditional downspout and a great way for harvesting rainwater. Plants will grow better if watered with rainwater that has a balanced PH and is free from chemicals such as chlorine (present in tap water). Copper is an essential material to all plants and its attractive patina formation acts like a fungicide, keeping moss growth to a minimum with obvious benefits when using it to direct and harvest water. This is why it isn’t recommended to coat the copper to try and keep it bright, as it the constant changing of color that gives it this antifungal property besides protecting the copper and stopping any corrosion.

In conclusion, replacing your downspout with a copper rain chain will not only give your home a unique touch, it’s a way to work towards environment conservation by using a sustainable material that can be easily recycled; and if using it to harvest rainwater, is a perfect way too to feed your plants, garden, or home orchard with chemical free water.