When a Storm Hits We Can Fix the Damage
This client called us when he realized his 15 year old gazebo had been damaged by wind. In fact, the wind had whipped so hard that it sheared several of the support poles hodling up the gazebo roof. The first time we visited the home the Gazebo was still standing, the second time, it had fallen in ruins. We rebuild the gazebo with some improvements from insurance proceeds and the home owner paid out of pocket to have his existing deck fortified and re-decked with a composite decking material. This is the story…
We received a call from a Lakewood / Crystal Lake homeowner that his Gazebo was in need of emergency repair. We came out right away and saw the wicked strength of nature. The roof of the gazebo had apparently been battered by the gusting winds a few nights before and the gail force of the gusts had cracked 4 of the support beams holding up the roof.
The Leaning Gazebo of Crystal Lake
Severe Wind Gusts Cause the Support Poles of this Gazebo to Shear
Holding on by a thread, Weakened Gazebo Still Standing
Realizing that this Gazebo was about to fall and could be a danger, we adviced the homeowner to have us shore it up immediately. He didn’t want to do anything until his insurance company had come out to see the damage and advice him on the correct course of action. And naturally, the soonest they could be out there was in two weeks.
3 days later…
Weakened Gazebo Blows Over After Second Wind Storm in Lakewood / Crystal Lake, IL
After Falling the Gazebo is Absolutely Destroyed
The force of the fall drives the support poles through the deck and roof framing
When the insurance adjuster came out, we were there to represent the homeowner. The adjuster had never seen anything like this and had no idea how to price it for repair. We presented him with a full estimate to restore the Gazebo. A few weeks later the homeowner received a check!
During our visits we noticed that the deck was in pretty bad shape so we quoted the homeowner to reinforce the support structure of the deck and to replace the decking. He also wanted to install new railing on part of the deck.
Rebuilding the Gazebo and Deck
The following pictures show the progress of rebuilding the gazebo and installing the new deck and railings.
Framing the gazebo and roof support
Upper Tier of New Gazebo Roof with Saved Cupola from Old Gazebo
Reinforced Deck support under gazebo deck
Reframing and Reinforcement of Deck Structure
New Trex Decking, Composite Deck
Vinyl Railing Sleaves installed over 4X4 railing support posts
Roof Shingled to Match House
Upper Deck with Trex Decking Installed under perigola support beams
The Deck and Gazebo after Innovative Home Concepts
Far View of Rebuilt Gazebo and Deck with New Railings, the Nicest Gazebo in Crystal Lake
Another View of Composite Deck and Gazebo
View of upper Gazebo Roof, Cupola, and Weather Vane provided by homeowner
View of wood roof lining with new ceiling fan and recessed lights
Close up of new railing sections outlining the deck
Another Close up of the railing system, wood spindles and vinyl covers with copper caps on support posts
Now it’s Your Turn!
