Maintenance, Q&A, Tips and Tricks
Maintenance, Q&A, Tips and Tricks
Many of our customers have told us they still have their bells after 20, 30 and even 40 years. Our bell bodies are designed to last many years with little maintenance, but can last decades with some basic maintenance. This guide will discuss what we suggest for general maintenance for that long lasting bell. This quick reference guide also will answer the most often asked questions in reference to our bells, which includes trouble shooting guidelines. We do repair our bells and offer replacement windcatchers and bell chains, but will not sell or send individual components to our bells. If this guide does not answer your questions, please feel free to contact us at
North Country Wind Bells® – Holiday Bell Giveaway
- Eligibility
- Who May Enter: The giveaway is open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
- Exclusions: Employees, officers, and immediate family members of North Country Wind Bells are not eligible to participate. Void where prohibited by law.
2. Promotion Period
The giveaway begins on November 1, 2026, and ends on December 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST (the "Promotion Period"). All qualifying orders or free alternate entries must be received by 3:00 PM EST on December 15, 2026, to be eligible for the drawing.
3. How to Enter
- Automatic Purchase Entry: Each individual wind bell purchased through our official website (Northcountrywindbells.com) during the Promotion Period earns one (1) entry into the drawing.
- Example: Ordering three (3) bells in a single transaction grants three (3) entries into the drawing.
- Note: The designated entrant is the person named on the billing details of the order, regardless of the shipping destination address.
- Opt-Out Request: If you wish to purchase a bell on our website without being entered into the giveaway drawing, please send an email to our customer support team prior to the drawing cutoff requesting to opt out.
- Free Alternate Method of Entry (No Purchase Necessary): Legally required in many jurisdictions to qualify as a lawful sweepstakes rather than an illegal lottery. You may enter without making a purchase by sending a handwritten postcard including your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to:
- North Country Wind Bells – Holiday Giveaway Entry, 2500 Winslows Mills Rd, Waldoboro, ME 04572. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by December 10, 2026, and received by December 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.
4. Prize Details
- Grand Prize: One (1) lucky winner will receive an 18-inch Nantucket Wind Bell.
- Prize Terms: Free ground shipping and applicable taxes/fees associated with delivering the prize are fully covered by North Country Wind Bells. The prize is offered "as-is" with no substitutions, exchanges, or cash equivalents.
5. Winner Selection & Notification
- Selection: One (1) potential winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period on December 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.
- Notification: The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with the qualifying purchase billing information (or mail-in entry).
- Unclaimed Prizes: If the potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to respond within five (5) business days, or if the notification email is returned as undeliverable, an alternate winner may be drawn.
6. Publicity & Social Media Announcement
Once the winner has been notified and confirmed, an announcement will be made across North Country Wind Bells’ official social media channels (including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok). By accepting the prize, the winner consents to the use of their first name and general location (e.g., "Jane D. from Maine") in social media posts and promotional materials without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
7. Privacy & Data Protection
Personal information collected during this promotion (including billing details and email addresses) will be used solely for the administration of the giveaway, order fulfillment, and communications in accordance with our Website Privacy Policy.
8. General Conditions & Release of Liability
North Country Wind Bells reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the giveaway if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond our reasonable control compromises the integrity or proper functioning of the promotion. By entering, participants release and hold harmless North Country Wind Bells, its owners, and employees from any liability or damage arising from participation in the giveaway or acceptance of any prize.
9. Contact Us
For questions regarding these Official Rules or to request an opt-out, please contact us through our website at Northcountrywindbells.com or via email.
Troubleshooting and Damage Assessment
Our bells are made from a heavy gauge steel and require more wind that most other types of windchimes. The following is a list of questions and answers we will ask you, when troubleshooting your bell. This helps us in getting a visual to help you get your bell ringing.
o What is the name of your bell, and what is your windcatcher? If you do not know the name of your bell, measure the bell from below the ring (at the apex) straight down to the center of the panel.
o Is your windcatcher attached? This is the piece that hangs beneath your bell, that catches the wind-causing your bell to ring. If your windcatcher is missing, this is the reason your bell is not ringing.
o Is your windcatcher the appropriate size? Our larger bells require larger windcatchers. If the bell was purchased directly from us it will have the correct sized windcatcher. If your bell was purchased from one of our other online partners or one of our friendly Gift Shop vendors, the size may not be correct.
o Does the rod and hammer swing freely? The rod and hammer is the piece on the inside that rings the bell. This piece should be able to swing freely. If not, is there anything on the inside obstructing it from movement (Packing paper, Hornets/Birds nest). If the rod is not moving, send an email to us
o Where is your bell hung? Wind is a tricky issue, 360° of open access wind is preferred. Buildings (such as houses) block at least half your wind. Remember, these bells require more wind, than most other types of windchimes. Plants, trees and low shrubbery have the same effect. This can be solved by relocating your bell a few inches (left, right, up or down) to all the way a crossed your yard or house.
o How is your windcatcher moving? Is your windcatcher moving in small circles? If so, this means moving the bell slightly, until the windy sweet spot is found. If it is not moving at all, consider relocating your bell to a different area.
If you have gone through this list, and you are still unable to get your bell ringing, email us at
Other tips and tricks that have worked for other customers, that may also work:
o Extending the bell from a long rope. This caused the bell and windcatcher to blow in the breeze.
o Extending the length of the windcatcher chain. Though this is not something we would recommend, some customers have had luck with this trick.
o Checking the status of your bell’s inner parts. We have had several customers report naughty neighbors sabotaging their bells ☹. Cutting out the rod and hammer, putting black felt around the black hammer (to soften the noise), shoving debris inside the bell to restrict movement, and more.
o Have a tip that worked for you, send us an email and let us know!
Depending on which bell you have, the rod and hammer may not be centered. This is because many of our bells offer several different tones. This means that a different gauge steel was used to give a different sound. When using a heavier gauge for 1 panel, the free moving rod and hammer, is going to naturally list to the heavier side of the bell. This should not affect the ringing of your bell. If it does, we do have a couple tips to offer:
o You may need to push the panel in or out, ever so slightly to offer a little more distance. This may not work in all cases.
o If you bell is only ringing one panel, the heavier panel, this may be easily solved, by rearranging the chain, so the bell is hanging opposite how is was. This is in hopes that the wind will push the windcatcher, and Rod and hammer, to the other panels. You may also need to relocate the bell, to an area where the wind is a little stronger.
o If relocating the bell does not work, email us at
If your bell fell, or was hit by an object, or was jostled, chances are there is a panel touching another panel. What this means, is that the vibrations the bell needs to ring, is obstructed by the touching of the panels. This is easily solved by gently pulling the 2 panels apart ever so slightly. If this does not solve the issue, email us at
Many of our bells have been around for 20 years, a few customers have even stated 30-40 years. Our bell bodies are made from a heavy gauged recycled steel and are made to last. The chains, rod, and windcatchers are made from a lighter steel (this is to allow for greater movement of these parts for play). Rusting (or a fine patina as we like to call it) is part of steel’s nature. The powder coating should last many years of weathering; however, everybody’s environment is different. If you live near the Salt Water, or where there is lots of humidity, chances are the bells will weather faster. We highly recommend clear coating your bell if you prefer this factory look. We recommend a spray Rust-oleum. Try not to spray the way inside of your bell, as this may prevent the movement of the rod and hammer. We also highly recommend spray coating your windcatcher, as this is made from a much lighter steel to allow movement in the wind.
Absolutely, we have various designed windcatchers that are interchangeable. Many customers purchase additional windcatchers so they can change them with the seasons or holidays. Replacement windcatchers are $23.95 with Free Shipping.
Shipping, Sales Tax, Returns
We are currently shipping in 7 business days free of charge. If you have any questions, give us a call! All orders shipped via UPS or US Mail. We strive to ship our orders within 72 hours or less as we craft everything in our shop! Please Email (prefer) or call us with complete name and address for a shipping quote outside of the Contiguous U.S.
All sales within the State of Maine only are charged Maine sales tax of 5.50%.
If you are unhappy with the product(s) you ordered, please notify us within 7 days of receiving your order emailing
If the customer needs to exchange an item, they will be responsible for the shipping cost to return the original item. The customer will also be responsible for the cost of shipping the exchanged item back to them.
A 25% restocking fee will apply to all returned or exchanged items. This fee will be deducted from the refund total. The reason for this is due to the necessity of the cost of labor and time to re-package the item. We have provided a guide on how to repackage your bell, to help reduce damage in return shipping.
We will never allow others to possess your name, address, etc. for any purpose whatsoever.
We'll never use your mailing address or your email address unless you ask us to (i.e. - you ask us to advise you of product availability). And we'll never give away or sell our shoppers list to anyone.
We easily entertain large volume orders. Please email or call us advising what your wishes might be, and we will either call or email to discuss all issues regarding your order and pricing information. Ideas are maybe a logo or a special design for the windcatchers on our bells.