The odds of a major hurricane hitting Houston sits at 7%, and statistics tell us that Texans can expect an average of three hurricanes and tropical storms to hit over a four-year span.
Since it’s hurricane season now, we thought we’d offer some insight into how hurricanes might impact your fence and whether there are any steps you can take to keep it standing in the face of high wind and driving rain.
Construction Matters
No amount of planning or tricks can help you if your fence wasn’t constructed properly in the first place.
That’s why our team sets fence posts high and deep, ensuring they’re secured with concrete. These steps help ensure that it’s difficult for the wind to yank your fence right out of the ground.
Materials matter, too, and of course, some materials are better than others. Our masonry fences, wooden fences, and wrought iron fences are especially hurricane-resistant. Our chain-link fences also do a great job of standing up to nature.
Vinyl fences are harder and, by their very nature, a bit flimsier. We choose good vinyl, but it’s just never going to be as sturdy as the alternatives. Many of our customers don’t mind since vinyl is also less expensive and very easy to maintain. Plus, there are still some mitigation steps we can take during the building phase, such as ensuring that there are gaps between the slats, which allows the winds to pass right through the fence.
Maintenance Matters
In addition to regular cleaning, inspections, and repairs, you can make your fence more hurricane-resistant by trimming the vegetation around it and trimming back your trees so they don’t hang over it.
Falling debris, such as big, heavy branches, is a common hazard during hurricane season. It doesn’t even take a hurricane to produce them. We’ve all been in intense, tornado-spawning thunderstorms that rip branches right out of trees and litter them all over the road. Keeping the hazard away from your fence protects it year-round, not just during hurricane season.
We recommend checking your fence after any storm so you can catch and make repairs quickly. If you call Lone Star Fence and Construction, we’re happy to make repairs.
Alertness Matters
Nobody’s watching the news as often as they used to. If you don’t have the proper alerts set, it can be easy for a hurricane to creep up on you.
Find a way to check the weather daily so you know when to respond. Your fence won’t react well if the wind picks up a piece of your lawn furniture and hurls it right into the nearest post.
You need enough advance warning to get out there and pick up anything that might be at risk.
Need a New Fence?
We install year-round, even during hurricane season, and we always build for Houston weather conditions. While there are no guarantees, our fences do have a track record for withstanding severe weather conditions.
Check out our photo galleries to see our past projects, and call (832) 981-2402 if you’re ready for a quote.