While Tony was here we did some exploration in downspout alternatives: with chains and catch basins.
I had been thinking of the rain chains used in Denmark (e.g., my parents' house from early 70s). Recently rain chains have been used here in the US, but mostly in the old Japanese inspired cutesiness of little containers that take over from each other. The ones I am after are away more robust. I am thinking of 3 chains replacing each downspout.
Tony clearly preferred the most heavy-weight we found, which was the 3/4" galvanized. I got hooked on the heat treated system 7 transport chain and I looked at the slightly thinner version of 5/8". Tony was concerned that the heat treated would rust and get ugly, and also look too skimpy in 5/8".
The price is somewhere between $2 and $2.50 per lin foot if purchased in half drums (200' of 3/4"), so we are ending up with 5 x 3 x 11' which is 165' or within the $500 estimated. Kind of expensive downspouts: $100 each. Though it is not too different from the cost of copper down spouts (another of my wacky ideas).
Thinking of it, I need to remember not to start the chains at the top of the roof opening: the thick chains will simply block too much.
Ewing Irrigation has some interesting square concrete boxes that could be used as catch basins. The price was something like $50 for a 22" sided concrete box, and closer to $120 for one with metal rim. Looks like we will just have to make do with the un-rimmed ones.
