Before the season: a ten-minute walkthrough
Early summer is the right time to walk your enclosure slowly and look for weak points, while contractors' schedules are still flexible:
- Press gently on a few panels around the cage — healthy mesh springs back, brittle mesh feels stiff or crackly
- Look for panels already pulling out of the spline groove, especially along the roofline
- Check doors: hinges, latches, and sweeps take more abuse than any panel
- Note rust streaks at fasteners and any framing that looks out of line
- Trim back branches and vegetation that touch or overhang the cage
When a storm is coming
- Bring in or secure lanai furniture, planters, and anything that can become airborne
- Don't attempt last-minute screen or frame work yourself, especially at height
- Photograph your enclosure while it's intact — useful for insurance if damage occurs
After the storm — safety first
Once conditions are safe, inspect from the ground only. Sagging framing, hanging panels, and debris on the cage roof are jobs for a technician with the right equipment — not a homeowner on a ladder.
Take clear photos of any damage for your records and your insurer, then request an estimate. After a major storm, requests are worked through in order — we won't promise you a specific arrival window we can't keep, and we'd encourage you to be cautious of anyone who does.
Storm-damaged screens and insurance
Many homeowners coordinate screen enclosure repairs with an insurance claim. Your photos, dates, and a written estimate all help that process. We're happy to provide documentation of what we find during the estimate visit — your insurer and adjuster make the coverage decisions.
Quick answers
This guide is general information for Southwest Florida homeowners. Every enclosure is different — recommendations and pricing for your pool cage are confirmed after technician review.