Flood Damage Boarding Up in Romford (RM) — Securing Your Property After a Leak or Flood
Flooding and serious leaks can leave your home, flat or business premises exposed far beyond the water damage itself. Swollen timber, shifted frames, cracked glazing and doors that won’t shut properly can all turn into an easy entry point—especially if the building needs drying out and will be left unattended.
If you need flood damage boarding in Romford, we help you make safe quickly across the RM postcodes. We secure vulnerable openings, stop further weather getting in where possible, and leave you with the documentation insurers usually ask for.
Need urgent help today? Call 01708 973 306 or email us.
When flood damage happens (and why properties become insecure)
“Flood damage” isn’t only river flooding. In Romford and across the RM area, we’re often called after:
- Burst pipes (especially in empty or unoccupied properties)
- Leaking tanks or appliances in upstairs flats
- Heavy rain overwhelming drainage, leading to water ingress
- Flooded basements or ground-floor voids
- Fire service access during an incident (which can leave doors/windows compromised)
Even once the water has stopped, the security risk can increase over the next 24–72 hours because materials move as they dry:
- Timber doors swell and no longer latch
- uPVC doors can drop out of alignment, leaving gaps at the lock side
- Window beading and seals loosen
- Frames distort, making glazing vulnerable or already cracked
- Internal doors may be removed, leaving access routes open inside the building
If any external opening can’t be properly closed and locked, temporary boarding is often the safest option until repairs can be completed.
For urgent attendance outside normal hours, visit our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.
What to do first (safe steps after a flood)
If it’s safe to do so, these steps can help protect people and support an insurance claim:
- Avoid electrics in affected areas. If you’re unsure, wait for a qualified electrician or the utility provider.
- Take photos of damage and affected openings before any work starts (only if safe).
- Keep details: insurer policy number, any incident report numbers, and a simple timeline of what happened.
- Don’t force swollen doors/windows—this can crack frames or glass further.
- If the property is insecure, secure property access quickly and limit entry until it’s made safe.
We’re not loss adjusters and we don’t carry out drying or mould remediation—but we can secure the building so the recovery work can begin without added risk.
How we secure flood-damaged properties in Romford
Flood-related call-outs are different from burglary or vandalism because the issue is often distortion and weakened fixings, not just breakage. Our job is to make the building secure while minimising further damage.
1) We assess what’s actually insecure
On arrival we’ll check:
- Which openings won’t close or lock
- Whether glazing is cracked, loose, or at risk of falling
- The condition of frames and surrounding masonry/timber
- Whether boarding needs to allow ventilation for drying (where appropriate)
If a frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
2) We use the right boarding method for the opening
Depending on the situation, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust window and door boarding where security is the priority
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
We size boards properly, fix them securely, and use anti-tamper fixings where needed—important if the property will be vacant or left overnight. The goal is to prevent removal from outside and reduce the chance of further damage.
If the issue is a damaged or non-functional door, we may recommend a stronger option such as a temporary steel door (see below).
3) We leave it weather-resistant and practical
Flood-damaged properties can be damp for weeks. Where possible, we’ll board in a way that:
- Reduces draughts and rain ingress
- Doesn’t trap obvious hazards inside (e.g., loose glass)
- Allows planned access for insurers, drying teams, or contractors
If you need longer-term protection while drying and repairs are arranged, ask about security screens and steel doors.
The right service for flood damage (windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs)
Flooding often affects more than one part of the building. Here’s how our services fit together:
Window boarding (cracked glazing, loose frames, missing panes)
If you’ve got a smashed window (or a pane that has cracked due to frame movement), we can board up broken window openings quickly and safely.
Learn more: window boarding in Romford
Door boarding and temporary steel doors (swollen doors that won’t lock)
If your front/back door won’t close properly after soaking, boarding can secure the opening until the door and frame can be repaired or replaced.
For properties that will stay vacant during drying, a temporary steel door can be a more practical medium-term option than repeated boarding.
Learn more: door boarding in Romford
Shopfront boarding (commercial glazing and high-street risks)
For shops, restaurants and offices, flood damage can quickly turn into a security and liability issue—especially if glazing is weakened and the premises are shut.
We can arrange shopfront boarded up solutions suitable for larger glazed panels.
Learn more: shopfront boarding in Romford
Roof and skylight boarding (leaks, storm-driven ingress)
Sometimes “flood” damage starts above—failed roof coverings, damaged skylights or water tracking into loft spaces. If there’s an exposed opening, roof boarding may be required to prevent further weather ingress.
Learn more: roof boarding in Romford
What you get from us (helpful for insurance)
After a flood incident, insurers usually want clear evidence of what was done, when, and why. We help by providing:
- Time-stamped photos of the damaged opening and the completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A short work statement describing the make-safe measures
If you’re starting a claim, see: insurance claims support
Typical flood-damage scenario (what we often see)
If a pipe bursts in an upstairs flat or in an empty property, water can soak the main entrance door and frame. The door may still “look” intact, but it won’t latch, or the multipoint lock won’t engage. That’s when opportunistic entry becomes a real concern—especially if the building is going to be drying out with dehumidifiers and regular contractor visits.
In cases like this, we’ll usually secure the door opening (boarding or a temporary steel door depending on timescale), then check nearby windows for stress cracks or loosened panes.
Areas we cover across Romford and RM postcodes
We provide flood damage boarding and property security across Romford and the RM postcode districts, including RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7, RM8, RM9, RM10, RM11, RM12, RM13, RM14, RM15, RM16, RM17, RM18, RM19 and RM20.
You can also browse local pages here: areas we cover — including boarding up Romford RM1, boarding up Gidea Park RM2 and boarding up Hornchurch RM11.
We work across residential streets, flats above shops, parades and business premises throughout the London Borough of Havering and surrounding RM areas.
Questions we’re often asked after flood damage
Is boarding up necessary after a flood?
Not always. If all windows and doors close and lock properly, boarding may not be needed. But if frames have shifted, locks won’t engage, or glazing is cracked/loose, boarding is a sensible way to secure property while drying and repairs are arranged.
Can you board up a door that won’t close because it’s swollen?
Yes. We regularly secure doors where the leaf has expanded or dropped out of alignment. We’ll talk you through whether basic board up door measures are enough or whether a temporary steel door makes more sense.
Do you offer out of hours help?
Yes—flood incidents don’t wait for business hours. For urgent attendance, use: 24/7 boarding up. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
Will boarding stop the damp problem?
No. Boarding is about security and immediate protection. Drying, dehumidification and any mould/smell remediation are outside our scope—but we can secure the building so those trades can work safely.
Can you board up from the outside if we can’t access the property?
Sometimes. It depends on the opening, height, and whether safe access is possible. If internal fixing is required for security, we’ll explain why. If access is restricted, we’ll discuss the safest workable alternative.
Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it can be, but policies vary. We’re not insurers, but we provide the photos and paperwork insurers typically request. Keep your claim reference/policy number handy and ask your insurer about “make safe” cover. More guidance: insurance claims support.
What materials do you use?
Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability, and 12mm OSB for smaller openings where suitable. Fixings are chosen to reduce the risk of removal from outside, and we’ll match the approach to the condition of the frame and surrounding structure.
How long will the boarding stay up?
That depends on the repair timetable and whether the property will be occupied. Boarding can be short-term, but if drying and reinstatement will take weeks, we may suggest more durable options such as security screens or a temporary steel door. We’ll explain pros/cons before fitting anything.
Related situations (if your flood damage followed another incident)
Flooding sometimes comes after storm conditions, accidental impact, or even fire service attendance. You may find these useful:
Need flood damage boarding in Romford?
If your window has cracked, your door won’t lock, or the premises needs to be secured while drying and repairs are arranged, we can help.
Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or, if it’s not urgent: Ready to get started? Call 01708 973 306 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
