Fence blown down: what to do next

Make it safe first

Wait until the wind has properly dropped before going near a damaged section. Panels that are hanging by a single fixing can swing or fall without warning, and a gust can turn one into a sail.

Once it is calm, lay loose panels flat on the ground rather than leaving them propped up. Keep children and pets indoors or away from the area, because snapped timber and protruding nails, screws and clips are easy to step on. If anything is resting against a car, shed, greenhouse or the house, move it carefully or get help so it does not slide further.

• Stay clear until gusts have died down
• Lay loose panels flat so they cannot blow again
• Keep pets and children out of the area
• Watch for sharp fixings and split timber
• Free anything leaning on vehicles or buildings

Work out whose fence it is

Before arranging any work, find out who is responsible for that stretch of boundary. Title deeds and the plans that come with them sometimes mark ownership with a T symbol on one side of a line, though many do not show it at all. The Land Registry can supply copies if you do not have them.

If the paperwork is unclear, talk to your neighbour. Plenty of people simply agree to share the cost of a shared boundary. This is general guidance only and not legal advice; if there is a genuine dispute, seek proper advice before anything is replaced.

Photos and your insurer

Take clear photos of the damage from both sides if you can, including close-ups of broken posts and wide shots showing the whole run. Note the date and keep any weather warnings or news reports from that night.

Then read your own home insurance policy wording or ring your insurer. Whether storm damage to fences is covered varies from policy to policy, and some insurers have conditions about the age or condition of the fence. Do this before clearing everything away, in case they want to see it.

Temporary fixes that do not make things harder

If you need to keep a dog in, a temporary barrier is fine, but keep it simple. Lean panels against sturdy supports, use stakes or tie them to an undamaged post, and avoid screwing new timber into broken posts or pouring fresh concrete around them. Those quick fixes often have to be broken out again, which adds time when the proper repair is done.

Store any panels that look reusable flat and off the ground so they do not warp while you wait.

Repair or replace: look at the posts

The panels are rarely the real story. What usually decides the outcome is the condition of the posts. If they are still firm and only one or two have snapped, a targeted repair can be enough, and our fence repairs page explains what that involves.

If several posts have rotted at ground level, the concrete has lifted, or the whole line now leans, patching tends to fail again in the next storm. At that point a new run is usually the better use of money. See our fencing page for how new boundaries are put in, and the fence installation cost guide for what affects the quote. Removal of the old fence can be included.

Building it back stronger

Wind gets the better of fences that are shallow-set, sitting in wet soil or already weakened by rot. When rebuilding, posts go in deep enough for the height of the fence and are set firm. Gravel boards along the bottom lift the panels clear of the soil so the timber stays drier.

Afterwards, keep soil, bark and leaf piles from banking up against the boards, and do not let heavy climbers smother the panels, as they trap moisture and add weight that catches the wind. If you are in the Eastleigh area, see fencing in Eastleigh. Otherwise contact Daniel or call 07841 510110.