Clearing and pruning garden vegetation
Let’s start at the top – one of the most effective ways to reduce potential storm damage is by ensuring your garden vegetation is in top shape. Overgrown trees and shrubs are particularly vulnerable to storm conditions, as weak or dead branches are often at risk of breaking off in strong winds.
So then, you’ll want to start by carefully inspecting all trees and shrubs in your garden. Prune any dead or weak branches that could become a hazard during a storm. This not only reduces the risk of damage but also helps promote the overall health of your plants. It’s also a good idea to remove any branches that hang close to buildings, fences, or power lines. In addition to pruning, it’s also wise to clear away any fallen leaves, twigs, or debris that may be lying around your garden. This will help reduce the risk of blocked drains and improve the flow of water, especially if you’re expecting heavy rain.
Securing loose items and structures
The high winds associated with storms are particularly dangerous, especially since they’re so often underestimated. Not only can they pose a direct threat by knocking people into dangerous places (such as off bikes, or onto roads), but in gardens they can quickly turn loose items in your garden into dangerous projectiles. For that reason alone, it’s important to secure anything that could be blown away or damaged in extreme weather.
Start by checking any garden furniture, barbecues, or decorative items, and look at storing them inside a shed, garage, or other secure space until the storm has passed. If this isn’t possible, try to weigh down or secure these items with strong ropes or ties. For large structures like sheds, greenhouses, or pergolas, make sure that they are properly anchored to the ground. You may want to reinforce the foundations of these structures, particularly if they are older or have already shown signs of wear.
Also, take the time to check your garden tools, watering cans, and any other small items that could be tossed around. You definitely don’t want blades being picked up by the wind! These can be easily stored away in a shed, tool box, or garage, reducing the risk of damage or injury.
Preparing for potential storm damage
While it’s impossible to predict the exact extent of storm damage, it’s often useful to have the right tools and materials ready to help minimise any disruption. So then, it’s worth taking a few moments to gather essential items like spare fencing panels, post anchors, and sandbags. These can come in handy if you need to quickly patch up damaged fences or stop water from pooling in certain areas of your garden.
A hammer, nails, screws, and a drill are often especially useful, as they can be used to temporarily repair broken fences or posts. Likewise, keep some strong rope or bungee cords available to secure loose panels or gates. If you do find that you end up dealing with significant damage, make sure you know when to call in a professional. If large trees fall or fencing requires more extensive repairs, it’s generally better to leave it to experts who can assess the situation and fix it safely.
Inspecting and maintaining your garden fence
Your garden fence plays a critical role in protecting your property during storms, so it’s important to inspect and maintain it regularly, particularly after heavy rainfall or wind. So before the worst of the storm rolls in, it’s a good idea to check for any signs of wear or damage. If your fence has been exposed to the elements for a long time, the wood may have become weak, and posts could have loosened or cracked.
Start by checking all the posts to ensure they are firmly in the ground. If any posts are loose, you can temporarily secure them with stakes or braces. For wooden fences, check for any panels that are warped, cracked, or beginning to rot. If needed, replace damaged panels to avoid a potential collapse during the storm.
If your fence has gaps or loose sections, this can allow wind and rain to pass through, causing further damage. Reinforce any weak spots with extra screws, nails, or braces to help keep the structure intact. If your fence has been damaged in the past, it’s a good idea to reinforce it now to prevent further damage.
And if it comes right down to it, you may want to bookmark our post on how to fix a storm damaged fence. On that note, if you’re already looking for replacement garden fence panels, you’re in exactly the right place. Here at Welch Fencing we’ve got a great range of these and concrete fence posts for you to browse right here on our site. As an experienced UK manufacturer of concrete fence posts and garden fence panels, we have our very own fleet of delivery vehicles at our disposal, allowing us to get your products right to your door.
If you have any questions about any of our products, or you need any more detailed information, feel free to contact us on 01772 336 476, or fire us a quick email on sales@garden-fence-panels.co.uk.
