A tropical storm can leave your yard looking mostly fine, until you notice the fence line doesn’t sit the way it used to. A gate that won’t latch, a post that wiggles, a panel that “breathes” in the wind, these are the small clues that a bigger failure could be on the way.

This fence inspection checklist is built for Cape Coral homeowners dealing with wind, heavy rain, and saturated ground. It focuses on the problems that show up here most often: loose posts, gate sag, damaged panels, and washouts in sandy soil.

Before you touch the fence, do a slow walk around and look for hazards. Post-storm yards can hide sharp debris, unstable sections, and wildlife pushed out of brush.

Watch for downed power lines (or sagging service lines near the fence). If you see anything questionable, keep everyone back and call the utility company. Also treat any leaning fence section like it could shift, especially if the ground is soft or washed out.

Wear gloves, closed-toe boots, and eye protection. Be cautious with nails, staples, and splinters, and don’t reach into dense shrubs near the fence line (snakes, fire ants, and raccoons do turn up after storms). For broader storm safety reminders, Florida’s recovery guidance is a helpful refresher: storm recovery safety steps.

Basic tools that make this easier:

• Phone/camera (take photos before you move anything)
• 4-foot level (or a level app in a pinch)
• Tape measure
• String line and two stakes (to spot bows and dips)
• Screwdriver or impact driver (to check loose hardware)
• Shovel (to check for washouts and exposed footings)

Cape Coral fences take a double hit after storms: wind pushes from above, and water weakens support below. With sandy soils and a high water table, posts can loosen even if the fence looks “upright” from the street.

Put a level on the post face. A good rule of thumb is that a lean of more than 1 inch over 4 feet is worth attention, especially at corners and gate posts. Corners carry tension, so small movement there can spread down the line.

If you don’t have a level, step back and sight down the fence. A “stair-step” look from post to post often means the ground settled unevenly.

Grab the post near the top and push and pull firmly. Movement is normal in flexible systems, but if the top shifts about an inch or more with moderate force, the post may be loose in the hole or the footing may be undermined.

Pay extra attention near drainage swales and low spots where water flows hard. That’s where washouts start.

Open the gate halfway and let go. If it swings on its own or rubs the ground, something moved. Then check the latch: if the latch and strike no longer line up by more than 1/2 inch , you’re likely dealing with post shift, hinge pull-out, or a sagging gate frame.

Also look at hardware. In Cape Coral’s salt air, hinges and screws can corrode faster, and corrosion can loosen connections over time.

Use this fence inspection checklist as you walk the perimeter. For each item, you’ll see what it means, why it happens, and what to do next.

• Loose or leaning posts : The fence line no longer looks straight, or a post rocks under pressure. Often caused by saturated sandy soil, water scouring, or a cracked footing. Next : mark the post, take photos, and avoid “just tightening panels” until the post is stabilized.
• Washouts and exposed footings : Soil is missing around posts, you can see concrete, or there’s a small trench along the fence. Usually from fast-moving runoff along swales or low yards. Next : keep weight off that section and plan for re-compacting and drainage correction before resetting posts.
• Gate sag or dragging : The gate rubs, won’t latch, or the gap under the gate changed (a new drop of about 1 inch is concerning). Often from hinge screws pulling out, a gate post leaning, or a gate frame twisting in wind. Next : tighten hardware if it’s sound, then brace if the post moved.
• Loose panels or pickets : Panels rattle, pickets are missing, or fasteners backed out. Wind pressure and repeated flexing work fasteners loose, and wet wood can swell then shrink. Next : re-fasten with corrosion-resistant screws, and replace cracked boards instead of re-nailing them.
• Cracked vinyl panels or popped rails : You may see splits near joints or rails that jumped out of brackets. Wind-driven flex and debris impacts are common causes. Next : don’t force parts back in place, photograph the failure points and plan for proper panel replacement.
• Bent chain link or damaged ties : Mesh bows inward, top rail is bent, or ties snapped. Wind-borne branches often cause localized damage. Next : remove debris carefully, then have the rail and ties re-tensioned to avoid a weak, saggy span.
• Corroded hinges, latches, and screws : Orange staining, rough movement, or stripped screw heads. Salt-air corrosion speeds up after storm wetting. Next : replace hardware, don’t reuse rusted fasteners in structural spots like hinges.

If you’re deciding whether the damage is worth repairing or if replacement makes more sense, this guide helps: Cape Coral fence repair vs replacement.

If a section is loose, your goal is to prevent a small issue from turning into a full collapse in the next gust.

For temporary stabilization, keep it simple:

• Brace a leaning post with a 2x4 angled to the ground, then stake it so it can’t kick out.
• Secure a flapping panel with screws into sound framing, or remove the worst piece so it can’t become debris.
• Keep gates latched, and add a temporary tie if the latch is unreliable.
• Rope off unstable sections so kids and pets don’t push on them.

Avoid quick fixes that lock in the wrong alignment, like forcing a gate to “fit” by cranking hinges tight against a leaning post. Also be careful adding soil around a washed-out post without addressing the void underneath. It can look better for a week, then sink again after the next rain.

Call a licensed and insured fence contractor if you have multiple leaning posts, signs of washout along a long run, a gate post that shifted, or damage near a pool or shared property line. Those situations usually need proper reset, reinforcement, and material matching. If you’re planning a stronger rebuild after this storm, compare options in hurricane-resistant fencing for Cape Coral.

Before major replacement, check your HOA or community rules, and confirm local permitting needs. Lee County’s inspection info is a good starting point: building inspections FAQ. If your property is in a floodplain and the storm caused significant damage, the City’s floodplain packet may apply, use it as a reference point (not legal advice): Cape Coral substantial improvement/damage checklist (PDF).

After a tropical storm, a fence can fail in slow motion. One loose post today can become a collapsed section after the next windy afternoon. Walk the line, run the simple tests, and document what you see. This fence inspection checklist helps you spot the problems that matter in Cape Coral, especially loose posts, gate sag, panel damage, and washouts. If the fence feels unstable or the ground is compromised, it’s smart to bring in a pro before temporary damage becomes a bigger rebuild.