'A little ice isn't too much of a problem, just make sure it doesn't block the hole at the top where it attaches to the gutter system.’ Or that it doesn't get too heavy and risks damaging your guttering. The idea behind the dream catcher is that it filters. Feathers and beads are often attached to the bottom of the dream catcher. The hoop is woven with a web-like pattern similar to a spider’s web, with a small hole in the center. ‘Rain chains can be good at making big ice chains in the cold climates, but this in turn makes them heavy,' says Kody. Dream catchers are traditional Native American objects that are typically made from a hoop, string, and feathers. This may be more prone to happening if you have cup-shaped rain chain links, or anything which might catch water inside it, rather than a standard chain link design. In terms of what happens to rain chains in the winter, if you live in an area with harsh winters and heavy frosts, watch out for ice and icicles forming. 'We recommend putting some sort of big catch basin at the base of your chain, so that if you have the splash it is still catching the water and moving it away from the foundations.' They handle moderate rain but if it is coming down heavily the water will go everywhere as the chain cannot dispose of it quick enough,' says Kody J Ketterling, founder of Landscape Expert at K-IT Products. 'Rain chains can create a splash if the water is coming down too heavily.

If you live in a part of the country which experiences consistently high rainfall, try to factor this into the way your chain works, ensuring it adequately directs the rain water away from your home's foundations. There needs to be adequate surface tension for the rain water to flow smoothly and continuously down the chain. Rain chains can handle moderate to heavy rainfall, provided the links or decorative objects on the chain itself are not too small.

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