Flood damage boarding South West London
Flood damage boarding in South West London helps you secure your home or business quickly after water ingress, burst pipes, river flooding or firefighting runoff. If your doors or windows are swollen, jammed or smashed, our DBS-checked technicians can board up and secure your property safely and non-destructively wherever possible, so you can protect belongings and start drying out without delay.
Call Now for Immediate Assistance: 020 4538 6452 Call 020 4538 6452
When you need this
Water can compromise doors, windows and frames within minutes. We commonly provide emergency boarding up after:
- Burst pipes or tank failures soaking timber frames and plasterwork.
- Surface water flooding along the Thames and Wandle, affecting basements and ground floors in Battersea, Wandsworth, Putney, Fulham and beyond.
- Storm-driven rain forcing in through damaged glazing or skylights.
- Firefighting water leaving doors swollen and unable to latch.
- Forced entry by emergency services during a flood incident that leaves doors or windows insecure.
Typical signs you may need emergency boarding up for flood damage:
- Doors that won’t shut or lock due to swollen frames, or frames that have racked out of square.
- Windows cracked or shattered by impact or rapid temperature change.
- Skylights leaking or dislodged in high winds and torrential rain.
- Concerns about security while you ventilate the building to aid drying.
- A need for a temporary secure door so contractors can access while the property remains protected.
If you’re searching for “emergency boarding up near me” or “secure my home after a flood” in SW postcodes, we provide out-of-hours boarding up and same day boarding up across SW1 to SW20.
How we secure your property
We focus on non-destructive securing wherever possible. Our aim is to stabilise and protect your property without adding avoidable damage. In cases of severe structural movement or safety risk, we will explain the options clearly before proceeding.
Our methodical approach:
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Make-safe assessment
- Check for immediate hazards: electrics (do not touch wet switches), loose glass, unstable frames, ceiling bulges.
- Discuss ventilation vs security: we’ll agree what needs to be open for drying and what must be secured.
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Non-destructive boarding where possible
- Windows: We use plywood or OSB boarding, typically 11–18 mm depending on the opening size and risk, fixed with anti-tamper fixings designed so they can’t be easily removed from outside.
- Doors: If the leaf or frame has swollen beyond use, we can fit a temporary secure door or board the opening with robust anti-tamper fixings, leaving an agreed access point.
- Skylights and roof lights: We provide OSB/plywood coverings and temporary weatherproofing to prevent further ingress.
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Temporary weatherproofing
- Where rain is still active, we can add membranes or tarping over boarded sections to help reduce further water ingress while drying works are arranged.
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Temporary steel doors and screens (when needed)
- For high-risk or longer-term situations, we can supply temporary steel doors and steel security screens (anti-vandal/Sitex-style) to secure empty property while remediation takes place.
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Insurer-friendly documentation
- Time-stamped photos before and after.
- Itemised invoice with materials and labour.
- Brief work statement summarising the damage and make-safe actions.
- Keep any police or incident reference number if emergency services attended.
Materials and fixings we use:
- Plywood/OSB: 11–18 mm, matched to opening size and exposure.
- Anti-tamper fixings: Resistant to removal from outside.
- Packers and braces: To avoid crushing swollen timber and to distribute load.
- Optional temporary steel doors/security screens: For medium-term void security.
Exceptions to non-destructive methods:
- If frames are severely distorted or unsafe, minimal controlled fixings into sound structure may be necessary to achieve a safe, weather-resistant board. We’ll always explain first and keep fixings tidy and removable for later reinstatement.
Why choose us
- Local and responsive: Based in South West London with mobile coverage across SW1–SW20 including Battersea, Clapham, Wandsworth, Balham, Putney, Wimbledon, Brixton, Fulham and Chelsea.
- 10+ years’ experience: Experienced boarding up specialists used to complex flood and storm scenarios.
- Public liability insured and DBS-checked technicians.
- Non-destructive securing wherever possible, with clear explanations where exceptions are needed.
- Tidy, respectful and insurer-ready: We provide photos, an itemised invoice and a simple work statement to support your claim.
- Options for short-, medium- and longer-term security: From rapid plywood/OSB boarding to temporary steel doors and security screens.
- Coordination with other trades: We can liaise with roofers, glaziers or restoration contractors to ensure safe access while maintaining security.
What happens next
- Call us 24/7 on 020 4538 6452. We’ll gather key details (location, access, type of openings, current water level) and dispatch a team.
- On arrival, we’ll make the area safe, agree the scope, and proceed with boarding up and temporary weatherproofing.
- We’ll provide photos and paperwork for your insurer and discuss any follow-up security requirements while drying and reinstatement continue.
Related services and guidance:
- If windows are cracked or blown out, see our detailed guide to window boarding in South West London.
- For swollen, kicked-in or non-latching doors, our door boarding up service includes temporary secure door options.
- If the flood followed a severe storm, you may also need roof & skylight boarding or broader storm damage boarding.
- Planning an insurance claim? Read our step-by-step insurance support.
FAQs
Is boarding up covered by insurance after a flood?
Many policies cover emergency making-safe and securing after an insured event. We can’t advise on your policy, but we provide insurer-ready paperwork (photos, itemised invoice and a brief statement). Keep any incident or claim reference safe. See our insurance support for what we provide.
How long does it take to board up a property?
Most single-door or window openings are boarded within an hour once we’re on site. Larger shopfronts, multiple openings, or high-access work will take longer. We work efficiently and keep you informed.
Can you secure my property while keeping ventilation for drying?
Yes. We balance ventilation and security by selectively boarding and using vented approaches where appropriate. We’ll agree which openings remain secure and which remain open or partially vented for drying, without compromising safety.
What if my door frame is swollen and won’t close?
We can provide temporary door boarding or fit a temporary steel door so you can lock up securely. Learn more about our door boarding up solutions.
Do you offer out-of-hours boarding up?
Yes. We provide out-of-hours boarding up and 24/7 boarding up across South West London. If you need urgent help, Call 020 4538 6452.
Will boarding damage my frames?
Our non-destructive securing approach prioritises fixings into robust points and packers to protect swollen timber. Where structural issues demand more secure fixings, we’ll explain and keep works neat and reversible.
Call now for immediate assistance
Floods don’t wait. If you need emergency property securing or same day boarding up anywhere in SW1–SW20, we’re ready to help, day or night.
- 24/7 availability across South West London
- Public liability insured, DBS-checked technicians
- Insurer-friendly paperwork provided
Need help now? Call 020 4538 6452 or Email us.
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