WHAT IS A RAIN CHAIN?


Decorative-Gutter-Chains

Rain chains are a functional piece that complements the rain gutter system, providing a touch of beauty and style to the outside of your property. Their main function is to lead rainwater from the roof to the ground in a harmonious way without affecting your home’s curb appeal. There is a wide variety of styles and finishes of rain chains available for you, from the simplest to the trendiest one. An important thing to take in consideration when installing  custom rain gutters  that include rain chains is where to place them, since this is the key to have a drainage system successfully working.

Rain chains origins come from the Japanese culture, they called them “kusari doi” which means “chain gutter”. However, they didn’t have the same function then as today. For years Japanese used their house’ roof to collect rainwater using linked chains hanging from the roof to the ground, and at the end of it, they used to put a large container to collect water for household usage. Over the last decade, rain chains have changed their purpose and they are becoming popular around the world as a decorative downspout, replacing the regular ones.

It is a known fact that rain chains provide both, functional and aesthetic value to your property’s curb appeal, which has increased the interest among homeowners and designers throughout the years, who frequently ask our technicians about them when choosing the rain gutter system that best suits their homes or business property. The following are the two main styles in which you can find them:

rain chain - link

Link Chains

Link chains have a modern design with simple lines that make them look really close to their original Japanese design. They are commonly made of copper or aluminum and they come in a wide variety of shapes for you to choose. This kind of rain chains is just a spectacle to watch. It is very peaceful to see the water falling downward, producing a pleasing sound resembling a cascade, however, they tend to splash more water than cup styles, so that, it is very important not to choose areas near windows, doors or walkways to place them

Cup Chains

On the other hand, cup chains are more popular for the elegant touch that they add to your home, thanks to their sophisticated finish which can be copper or aluminum and diverse and beautiful shapes, such as small cups, square cups, flowers or bells. They are preferred by customers for being better at controlling the flow of water producing fewer spills, which represents a great improvement in efficiency over link chains. Cup chains consist of links and little cups with open bottoms that permit water to travel downward without problems. They can resist higher volumes of water than link chains, which makes it more resistant in places with frequent rainfall.
Both styles of rain chains give you benefits that you should consider when installing your rain gutter system. Here we show you some of them:

rain chain _ cup

Advantages of Having Rain Chains

The most visible advantage of rain chains is that they are more appealing than traditional downspout, since they come in different designs and finishes, including copper and aluminum, which makes your house to look very sophisticated. Some of the models make relaxing sounds like wind chimes, while the water goes through the cup chain, making them a great option for your yard.

Rain chains are eco-friendly. They can be paired with vases and containers to collect rainwater that can be used to water the plants of your garden, this way you contribute with the planet, without wasting this valuable resource and you will keep applying their original function.

Rain chains are usually very simple to install; however, we recommend being done by experts to avoid any complications like an improper installation. Once your rain gutter system is installed, techs will determine the better place to hang them, which should be away from doors, windows, and walkways because of the water splash that they might produce

Considerations Before Choosing Rain Chains

To guarantee the effective use of rain chains you need to consider the climate of your area, especially if you live in a rainy place. Rain chains can work without a problem unless the volume of rainwater coming from your gutters is too high, which is very common during rainy seasons. To resist a heavy downpour with rain chains, you can either install many rain chains or combine them with traditional downspouts. Both options will help your drainage system to distribute the rainwater. It is also important to have an effective collection system, which could be a water feature like a barrel, a temporary water garden or a French drain that directs the water to another place away from the house to prevent damages.

Another natural element you need to consider when choosing rain chains is the wind. If you live in a high wind area your house will need an overhang of at least three feet to permit rain chains to effectively work, as well as a proper drainage system below them. Also, consider anchoring the chain to keep it in place if you are concerned about high winds.

Whether you choose link or cup chains, our recommendation for you is to pick the best option regarding functionality and efficiency, in order to have a harmonious flow of the rainwater in your drainage system, that does not affect the beauty of your front yard or porch.

If you have made up your mind about installing rain chains on your gutters, or if you would like to know more about rain chains from the professionals, RainCache can provide both guidance and expertise in choosing and installing the rain chains you want. Go to our  contact  section or call us at +2348158942188 to learn more about our services

 

Proper Draining System For Preventing Mold Growth

Proper Drainage Systems

prevent mold

In theory, preventing mold growth inside one’s home is a fairly simple task to do.  

 Often times, water is successfully directed away from the house by a rain gutter but lacks the proper drainage nearby. If the rain-water lacks a drain in close proximity, it can often pool together and head back towards the exterior walls of your home. Gravity often redirects the water right  from where it came from. Be sure to not only keep the tracks of your gutters clear of any debris but also ensure that the water expelled is properly drained and not pooling against the exterior walls of what we hope is your mold-free home.

rain gutter-raincache

 

splash block
splash block

rain gutter

GUTTER

This is the horizontal length of guttering (usually comes in standard length of 4 meter or custom length for seamless run).  It attaches to the roof fascia. This channel collects water from the roof and slopes to send it through the outlets

gutter / outlet drain

OUTLET

Certain elements will be centered on mobile devices and tablets and aligned to the left or right on a desktop display.

gutter hanger

HANGER

This is an hidden – a type of hanger that sits inside the gutter section near the open mouth so that it cannot be seen from below or in front. It consists of a bent piece of metal with a hole in one side through which the screw goes into the eave. The other end of the hanger is braced against the inside front edge of the gutter section to give it support.

outer miter

OUTER CORNER MITER

Miter is the cornering section of a gutter system. It can be box miter, strip miter or bay miter. The piece that joins two section of gutters at the outer corner is called outer miter.

inner miter

INNER CORNER MITER

They are used at inner corners to join two piece of gutters.

End cap

ENDCAP

This is a flat piece shaped like the gutters they are used to close off the open end of gutter section to keep water from straying out of the guttering system.

elbow

ELBOW

A bent or curved piece of pipe used to connect sections of downpipe at corners or bends.

downpipe

DOWNSPOUT/ DOWNPIPE

A vertical section of gutter system which is attached to the wall and through which water flows down from the gutter.

downspout pipe clip

PIPE CLIP

Pipe clips are used to secure your downpipes to the wall.

gutter sealant

SEALANT

This waterproofs joints of gutters and drainpipes..

gutter screw

SCREW

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam eu dignissim tortor, sit amet bibendum lacus. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam eu dignissim tortor, sit amet bibendum lacus.

Gutter touch up paint

TOUCH-UP PAINT

This spray paint can be used to touch up ends of gutter or other areas where cuts have been made during installation.

GUSHER GUARD

It is used at the roof valley (inner corner) to prevent runoff overflow

splash block

SPLASH BLOCK

An extension at the end of a downspout to keep water from pooling near the foundation, sometimes called a downspout extension. 

RAIN GUTTERS BUYING GUIDE

Rain gutters handle a critical task: routing the runoff from your roof to proper drainage away from the house. By doing this, they keep your house high and dry, protecting the fascia, walls, paint, windows, doors, and foundation from water damage.

Though most gutters are installed on existing roofs, adding them during building construction simplifies installation and if you’re thinking about renovation your timing couldn’t be better.
Both do-it-yourself and professionally installed gutters are available. You can buy do-it-yourself gutter systems made of PVC. Or you can have professional gutter companies install any of numerous types of gutters from PVC to Aluminum, Copper gutters and more.
What type of gutters and Installation system should you choose for your house? The following information will help you sort through the options.

Rain Gutter Sizes & Profiles

Gutters are formed in several profiles and sizes. The standard profiles are a simple “U” shape (half round), box (square) and “K” style,(which has an ogee-shaped front vaguely resembling the letter “K.”)

 

 

The gutter channels are 4, 5, 6 or 7 inches in diameter; downspouts are 2-by-3-inch or 3-by-4-inch rectangular profiles or 3- or 4-inch round (often corrugated) pipes.

5-inch K-style gutter is the most common type, and is used in 95% of all installations and works for sloped roofs of all types (shingles, metal, slate, etc). 5-inch K-style gutters typically use 2×3 downspouts.
6-inch K-style and Box gutters are used for higher volume of water runoff to a single point (typically on flat roofs) or larger commercial buildings. 6-inch gutters typically use 3×4 downspouts, to accommodate higher volume of water.

K-style gutters have twice the capacity of the half-round gutter of the same width, making them appealing for homes in cities with heavy annual rainfall. K-style gutter systems remain the industry standard because of the elegant shape resembling interior crown molding.

 

Rain Gutter Price Variation

Gutter cost will vary depending on the type of materials, installation method (DIY or professional installation), the gutter company and your location.
You can read more about cost of gutter materials here: https://raincache.ng/blog/types-of-gutters-and-costs/ 

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF GUTTERS INSTALLATION

If you’re planning to install your own gutters, DIY PVC gutters may be your best bet. Generally it can be installed by homeowners with moderate skills and tools, you virtually just plug the entire system together. DIY PVC gutters are available online and comes with silicone gaskets that compress to form tight, leak-proof seals. PVC doesn’t rust or rot, but it can become brittle over the years and crack when the weather is harsh. PVC tends to deteriorate from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and you may need to replace the whole systems in less than 5 years.
PVC gutters are relatively inexpensive at N1, 000 per meter, but you must factor in the cost of accessories/fittings, which push the overall price per lineal meter up a bit.
The biggest downside to DYI gutter installation is that they are sold in sections and 99% of homeowners would not be able to install them properly. These tend to leak a lot more and faster, compared to seamless ones. So while you will save initially, you also have to consider that you will have gutter repair costs in the future. It is also possible that full replacement may become necessary as quickly as in 2-3 years.

                                PVC GUTTER 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you plan to have gutters professionally installed, please call 0815894218 for a free estimate or use our quote calculator >> https://raincache.ng/quote/

 

Professionally Installed Gutters

The best of installed gutters are seamless, which are custom-fashioned right on-site. Metals such as Aluminum, copper and stainless-steel are generally chosen for high-end installations. And though wood is rarely used anymore, architectural purists will opt for it. Here we take a look at the Aluminum gutters, you can read more on other materials here.

 

WOODEN GUTTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALUMINUM RAIN GUTTERS

Aluminum are the most cost-effective and popular choice of homeowners. In fact, over 90% of professional installs are with aluminum gutters. Their biggest advantage is that they will not rust! Moreover, they are lightweight and highly efficient at carrying water away from your house. If installed well, Aluminum will last more than 60 years.

Aluminum gutters are available in a range of thicknesses, including .032, .027, and .025 inches. It is recommended to choose the thickest 0.032 material, as it’s a lot more durable. Also, be sure to get primary as opposed to secondary aluminum. It costs a little more, but offers more uniform consistency. Secondary aluminum is made from recycled aluminum scraps, and is typically not as strong and consistent.

Aluminum gutters cost from N5, 000 to N6, 500 per lineal meter installed. So, an average duplex of 72m in Nigeria will cost N386, 000 to install aluminum rain gutters.

RAIN GUTTER COMPONENTS
1. GUTTER
2. OUTLET
3. HANGER
4. OUTER MITRE
5. INNER MITRE
6. END CAP 
7. ELBOW
8. DOWNSPOUT
9. PIPE CLIP/BAND
10. GUSHER GUARD
11. SEALANT
12.HEX SCREW
13. ZIP SCREW
14. FLASHRUE
15. TOUCH UP PAINT
16. STRAP
17. SPLASH BLOCK

Gutter Component details in our next post

 

Rain Gutter Installation Tips

Please keep in mind that anyone can start a gutter business, so be sure to check references and get more than one bid. If one bid is considerably lower than another, check the gauge of the material, accessories list, other details and be sure they will follow standard installation procedures.

 

  1. It’s important that your installer installs gutters with proper slope. If drain outlet are above the low point of your gutters, water will stand, and soon you will get a small garden growing in there. The weight of standing water will eventually pull your gutter down.
  2. Be sure the installer will hang gutters along a chalk line, snapped to allow the proper slope of 1/4 inch for each 10 feet toward a drain outlet.
  3. One drain outlet assign to every 10 meters of gutters, That way, your new gutters will flow properly, look good, last long and add to the value of your house.
  4. Gutters are attached along a house’s eaves by any of several means, including straps, brackets, and hangers. We advise the use of hidden hangers and screw method. The hangers are screwed to the fascia- wooden, concrete (parapet) etc or the rafter tail. In a situation where there are no rafters or fascia to attach to, you have to use a strap.
  5. We discourage the use of binding wire or nail because, over the years, the binding wire will rust and break causing your gutter system to fail. Also nails/spikes [of a spike-and-ferrule hanger] tend to pull out as they split the fascia.

 

 

Best of luck with your project – please let us know in the comments below how much you ended up spending and the material used

Administrative Officer

We are looking for an Administrative Officer to join our team and support our daily office procedures, someone who will act as the point of contact for all employees and clients, providing administrative support and managing their queries.. 

Responsibilities

Prepare regular reports on expenses and office budgets
Maintain and update company databases

Manage inventory and place orders

Organize a filing system for important and confidential company documents

Answer queries by employees and clients
Update office policies as needed
Maintain a company calendar and schedule appointments
Distribute and store correspondence 

Requirement

Proven work experience as an Administrative Officer, Administrator or similar role
Solid knowledge of office procedures
Experience with office management software like MS Office (MS Excel and MS Word, specifically)
Strong organization skills with a problem-solving attitude
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Digital Marketing Skills

If you have previous experience as an Office Administrator or similar administrative role, we’d like to meet you. Send a cover letter and CV to contact@raincache.ng before 10th January, 2018

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager who will work to improve our organization’s market position and achieve financial growth. This person defines long-term organizational strategic goals, builds key customer relationships, identifies business opportunities, negotiates and closes business deals and maintains extensive knowledge of current market conditions.
Prospect for potential new clients and turn this into increased business.

Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager will prospect for new clients by networking, cold calling, advertising or other means of generating interest from potential clients. Plan persuasive approaches and pitches that will convince potential clients to do business with the company
Meet potential clients by growing, maintaining, and leveraging your network.
Research and build relationships with new clients.
Plan approaches and pitches.
Work with team to develop proposals that speaks to the client’s needs, concerns, and objectives.
Participate in pricing the solution/service.
Handle objections by clarifying, emphasizing agreements and working through differences to a positive conclusion.
Use a variety of styles to persuade or negotiate appropriately.
Present an image that mirrors that of the client.

Requirement

A bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years sales or marketing experience.

Other Skills and Qualifications

Networking, Persuasion, Prospecting, Public Speaking, Research, Writing, Closing Skills, Motivation for Sales, Prospecting Skills, Sales Planning, Identification of Customer Needs and Challenges, Territory Management, Market Knowledge, Meeting Sales Goals, Professionalism, CRM, and Microsoft Office

If this is you, send a cover letter and CV to contact@raincache.ng before 10th January, 2018