What to Do When Your Shutters Get Damaged: A Simple Checklist

Shutters are built to last but occasionally things happen. Before you panic or reach for a screwdriver, work through this first.

Stop and assess before you do anything: Do not force it, push it back into place or try to operate it as normal. Forcing a damaged component is the quickest way to turn a small problem into a much bigger one. Have a proper look first.

Work out what has actually gone wrong: Most shutter issues fall into one of three categories - a loose or displaced louvre, a hinge or fixing that has worked loose or snapped, or a cracked or damaged panel or frame. Knowing which one you are dealing with makes everything easier from here.

Do not reach for the toolbox just yet: For loose louvres and hinges the temptation is to fix it yourself. Sometimes that is fine - a gentle tighten of a loose screw is unlikely to cause any harm. But if anything looks cracked, misaligned or structurally off, leave it alone and move to the next step.

Contact whoever fitted your shutters: This should always be your first proper step. A good shutter company will keep records of your job, know exactly what was fitted and how, and be able to advise you quickly on whether it needs a visit or whether it is something straightforward. At Jasper & Finch we keep records of every installation we carry out, so matching replacement parts or revisiting a fix is never a guessing game.

Check your home insurance policy: Before you spend anything, check your policy. Shutters are professionally fitted fixtures and may well be covered under your accidental damage or home contents cover. A quick call to your insurer before booking any repair could save you the cost entirely.

Get it sorted sooner rather than later: A loose louvre left alone becomes a broken louvre. A hinge that is slightly off puts strain on the panel around it. Most shutter repairs are quick and inexpensive when caught early, and considerably more involved when they are not. Do not put it off.

Once sorted, give your shutters a quick once over: Use the repair as a prompt to check everything else is in good shape. Test the louvres, check the hinges feel firm, make sure all panels are hanging level. Two minutes now could save you another call down the line.

Simple as that, really. Most shutter damage is far less dramatic than it first looks and almost always fixable. The key is catching it early and going back to the right people.