Pines and big limbs come down across fences in most tropical storms and summer thunderstorms around Colleton County. The fence can often be repaired in sections once the tree is off the line.
First steps
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved
- Check whether your homeowners policy covers fallen trees
- Keep pets away from broken wire and sharp panels
- Have the tree removed before the fence is repaired
Send photos and a rough length of damaged fence with your request so the repair can be estimated quickly.
What storms usually do to a fence
- Fallen trees and limbs crush panels, bend top rail and snap posts.
- Wind pushes over solid sections and pulls boards loose.
- Water undercuts posts, especially on low ground and slopes.
- Field wire gets stretched or pulled off its posts for many feet on either side of the hit.
How soon does it need fixing?
Straight away if the fence holds in pets or stock, surrounds a pool, or is leaning over a road or a neighbor's yard. Until then, keep people and animals away from sharp edges and broken wire. Stay clear of any tree touching a power line and call the utility. For everything else, get the photos first, then take your time and compare quotes.
How a storm repair goes
The tree or debris comes off the line first, then the posts on either side of the damage get checked. If they're sound, the section can usually be rebuilt. Many homeowner's policies treat a fence as an other structure, but it depends on the policy and on what caused the damage, so ask your insurer before work begins.
What to send with your request
- Photos of the damage and of the whole fence line
- Roughly how many feet are damaged
- Whether a tree is still on the fence
- The fence material and height
- Whether an insurer is involved
See fence repair in Walterboro, or the Walterboro fence permit guide if a post has to be set in new ground.