How should I get my fence ready for hurricane season?

Before the season: a May walk-through

• Push each post. A post that rocks will be the first to go in a gust. Reset or replace it now, when the schedule is open.
• Re-fasten loose pickets and rails. One loose board turns into a missing section in high wind.
• Check gate hinges, latches, and drop rods. Gates take the most strain in a storm.
• Look up. Dead pine limbs over the fence line are the most common cause of storm damage we see on wooded lots in Conroe and Willis. Have an arborist take down anything questionable.
• Clear the base. Rake pine straw and brush away from the bottom of the fence so water can drain after heavy rain.
• Photograph the fence. Date-stamped photos of every run show its condition before any storm, which helps if you file a claim later.

When a storm is forecast

Bring in anything that can fly into the fence: patio chairs, trampolines, trash cans, and loose lumber. Latch every gate and tie it shut if the latch is light. If you have an automatic gate, know where the manual release is in case the power goes out. On Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston, keep boat and dock gear away from fences near the shore. Hurricane Ike in 2008 carried hurricane-force winds as far inland as Livingston, so lake communities there should prep like everyone else.

After the storm

1. Stay safe first. A fence tangled with a downed power line stays off limits until the utility clears it.
2. Photograph before you clean up. Get wide shots of each damaged run and close-ups of broken posts, fallen trees, and debris.
3. Secure pets. A gap in the fence is an open door. A temporary panel or a leash run works until the repair is done.
4. Get an itemized estimate. We break out footage, posts, gates, and debris removal so you can see what was damaged and what the repair costs.
5. Call your insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance says most home policies cover other structures, including fences, at about 10% of the dwelling's insured value. Wind damage is often paid at depreciated value after the deductible, and flood damage is not covered by a homeowners policy. This is general information, not insurance advice. Ask your agent or see TDI's storm FAQ.

Our guide to storm damage insurance claims goes deeper on documentation. For repairs, see repair and maintenance, and for building something that handles the next storm better, read the best fence for wind.