Storm calls come in waves, and the honest position is that every fencing contractor in London and Hertfordshire is busy for a fortnight after a named storm. What you do in the first hour still matters.
What's causing it
Solid panels acting as a sail
Wind pressure on one face and suction on the other lifts panels clean out of concrete post slots.
Bases already compromised
Storms find the posts that were loose beforehand. The gale is the trigger, not the underlying fault.
Bay spacing too wide for the exposure
Long bays on an open boundary put more load into each post than the base can carry.
Fix options
Emergency make-safe
The boundary is open onto a road, path or shared space
Temporary bracing or boarding to secure the line until a full repair is scheduled.
Panel replacement into sound posts
Posts held and only panels failed
Fast, economical, and the best outcome. Matching panels are usually available off the shelf.
Post renewal plus panels
Posts snapped at ground level
New posts set in concrete; we normally recommend gravel boards at the same time so the repair outlives the next storm.
Upgrade to a wind-tolerant spec
This is the second or third time
Hit-and-miss or trellis-topped panels with tighter post centres, so the same gust stops taking the fence out.
Self-diagnosis: check these first
- 1
Make the garden safe first — pull loose panels flat and away from paths, and secure pets.
- 2
Photograph everything before moving more than you must, including post bases and the wider run.
- 3
Check whether posts snapped, lifted, or simply released the panels — that decides the repair.
- 4
Look at the neighbouring sections; damage often reveals the next bays about to go.
Preventing it happening again
- Deal with loose posts before winter rather than after
- Consider permeable designs on exposed boundaries
- Cut back heavy climbers that add wind load
- Check gate latches and drop bolts so gates aren't caught open in a gust
Get this fixed properly
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification and a fixed price before anything starts.
Frequently asked
Will my insurance cover it?
Many home policies exclude storm damage to fences and gates. Check the wording before assuming a claim — but photograph everything regardless.
How fast can you attend?
Unsafe and insecure boundaries are prioritised. Call and we'll give you an honest timescale rather than a hopeful one.
Can damaged panels be reused?
Sometimes the frame survives even where a couple of boards have gone; we reuse what is genuinely sound.
Should I put the panels back myself?
Only if it's safe and the posts are sound. Never re-seat panels into a post that is moving.