Checking Your Structure After a Storm
After a significant storm, it's worth a careful visual check of any veranda, awning or pergola before assuming everything is fine, since some wind damage — a loosened fixing or a hairline stress crack — isn't always obvious at first glance.
Safety first: isolate power before touching a motorised system, and never work at height off a ladder alone. If in doubt, book a fitter rather than forcing a mechanism.
Common damage patterns after high wind
Bent or torn fabric on awnings left extended, cracked or dislodged roof panels from flying debris, loosened wall or post fixings from repeated flexing during gusts, and displaced flashing or capping at wall junctions are the most frequent issues we see reported after named storms.
What to check from ground level first
Walk around the structure without climbing anything, looking for obviously bent components, panels sitting slightly out of place, fabric damage, or debris lodged in the roof or gutter. Note anything unusual even if it looks minor.
- Look for bent or displaced roof panels
- Check fabric for tears or heavy creasing
- Look at wall brackets for gaps or movement
- Check for debris lodged on the roof or in gutters
Signs that need prompt attention
A post that visibly rocks or moves, a wall bracket clearly pulled away from the wall, or glazing that looks cracked or loose should be treated as needing an inspection sooner rather than later, since continued use or further weather could worsen the fault.
What not to do immediately after a storm
Avoid operating a motorised awning or roof until you've visually checked it's clear of debris and undamaged, and don't attempt to push a displaced roof panel back into place yourself — panels are heavy and can crack under uneven pressure.
Questions we get asked on repair calls
Should I claim on home insurance for storm damage?
That depends on your specific policy terms and the extent of the damage — it's worth checking your cover and, if relevant, getting a written assessment to support a claim.
Is it safe to use the structure while waiting for an inspection?
If nothing looks visibly damaged and it operates normally, everyday use is generally fine, but avoid extending an awning in continued strong wind regardless of storm damage.
How soon after a storm should I get it checked?
There's no fixed timeframe, but if you've spotted anything concerning — movement, cracking, or a bracket pulling away — it's sensible to arrange an inspection reasonably promptly rather than wait.
Can wind damage happen without anything looking obviously wrong?
Yes — repeated flexing during a storm can loosen a fixing or stress a joint without an obvious visible sign, which is part of why a proper check is worthwhile after severe weather.
What an inspection visit involves
A fitter will check fixings, panel seating, fabric condition and drainage as a set, since storm damage often affects more than the one obviously damaged component, and will advise on repair priority based on what's found.
In short
Storm checks should cover fixings, panels, fabric and drainage together, since wind damage often affects more than the one obvious fault.
Get it looked at
After a storm, we can carry out a full inspection of your structure and identify anything that needs attention.
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