After a hurricane, the first thing to do with a damaged pool cage is stay clear of it until you know it is stable. Then look at the damage in three parts: the screen, the framing, and the gutters and connections at the house. Torn screen on straight framing is usually a repair. Bent, twisted, or collapsed framing is structural, and that work is engineered and permitted.
Here is how to work through it, step by step.
Safety first
A storm-damaged enclosure can be unstable even if it is still standing. Before you look closely:
- Stay out from under bent or sagging framing. A damaged roof section can shift or come down.
- Keep kids and pets away from the pool area until the structure is checked.
- Watch for power lines and anything electrical near the cage or pool equipment.
- Do not climb on the enclosure or lean a ladder against damaged framing.
- Be careful with debris. Torn screen, loose panels, and broken framing can have sharp edges.
If part of the enclosure is hanging over the pool, the house, or a walkway, treat that area as off limits.
Screens vs. framing vs. gutters
Once it is safe, sort what you see into three groups. It helps you describe the damage and points to the kind of work needed.
Screen damage is the most common. Look for:
- Torn or missing panels
- Screen blown out of its channel
- Holes from flying debris
If the framing behind it is straight and tight, damaged screen can usually be repaired or replaced. See our guide to choosing screen for a Florida pool enclosure if you are thinking about a different type.
Framing damage is more serious. Look for:
- Bent, kinked, or twisted members
- Members pulled away from the deck or the house
- Cracks at joints and connections
- A roof line that sags or is out of level
Damaged framing affects the whole structure, so it calls for structural repair or replacement.
Gutter and connection damage is easy to miss. Look for:
- A gutter pulled away from the house or bent along its length
- Loose or missing fasteners at connections
- Water now running where it did not before
Gutters and connections tie the enclosure to your home. If they have moved, have them checked even if the rest of the cage looks fine. Loose or corroded screws can also be a sign that a screw change-out is due.
Documenting the damage
Before anything is cleaned up or removed, take good records. If you plan to file an insurance claim, your insurer will have its own requirements, so check with them directly.
Helpful records include:
- Wide photos of the whole enclosure from several angles
- Close-ups of each damaged area
- Photos of debris and anything that hit the cage
- Notes with the date and what you saw
Keep any temporary fixes simple and safe, and photograph the damage before you make them.
Repair vs. rebuild
The line between a repair and a rebuild depends on how much of the structure is affected.
A repair usually makes sense when:
- The damage is mostly screen
- A limited number of framing members are bent or broken
- The gutter and house connections are sound or can be fixed
A rebuild usually makes sense when:
- Framing damage is widespread or the cage has collapsed
- Repairs would replace most of the structure anyway
- You want a different design, such as a ClearView layout, going forward
Rebuilds and structural repairs are engineered for the home and site and permitted like any new structure. Our guide to rescreening, repairing, or replacing a pool cage goes deeper on making that call, and our guide to permits, engineering, and HOA approval explains the approval side. The estimate covers the schedule for your job.
A real Hurricane Ian rebuild
One of our customers lost their original pool enclosure in Hurricane Ian. The existing insulated roof section came through the storm undamaged, so instead of tearing everything out, the Backwater crew custom built a new, upgraded enclosure around the roof system that was already there.
The new enclosure included upgraded aluminum framing, stainless hardware, and Phifer screen throughout. It is a good example of how a rebuild does not always mean starting from nothing. Keeping what is sound and replacing what is not can be the right approach.
You can see the photos and read more in our pool enclosure rebuild after Hurricane Ian project. For more on this kind of work, visit our renovations and structural upgrades page or our FAQ page.
Get a free on-site estimate
After a storm, it helps to have someone look at the whole enclosure and tell you plainly what needs repair and what needs rebuilding. Estimates are free, and we come to you to inspect the damage and walk through your options.
Call (941) 380-9098, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or request your estimate online. We typically respond within one business day.