Flood Damage Boarding Up in West London (W2–W14)
Flood damage is stressful—especially when it happens fast and leaves your home or premises exposed. In West London, it’s often a combination of heavy rain, overwhelmed drainage, burst pipes in flats, or water ingress through compromised roofs and terraces. Once water gets in, frames swell, locks stop lining up, and glazing can crack under pressure or from impact as debris moves around.
If your property can’t be properly closed and secured after flooding, we can help. Boarding Up West London provides practical, insurance-friendly security across the W postcodes (W2–W14), using the right method for the opening and the condition of the frame.
If you need urgent help, use our emergency service: emergency boarding up.
Need to secure the property now? Call 020 4634 8072.
When flood damage happens in West London
Flooding in West London isn’t always “river flooding”. More commonly, we’re called out after:
- Burst or leaking pipes in mansion blocks and conversions (especially where pipework runs through ceilings and service risers)
- Blocked gutters and downpipes causing water to track into bay windows, brickwork and window heads
- Surface water flooding during intense rainfall, when drains can’t clear quickly enough
- Basement and lower-ground water ingress, affecting doors, light wells and front areas
- Water coming in after storm damage, where a loose tile/skylight or damaged roof covering has opened a route for rain (see storm damage boarding if wind is the trigger)
Flood water can leave you with openings you can’t properly secure: a door that won’t close, a window that’s cracked, or frames so swollen the locking points no longer engage. That’s when boarding up becomes a practical, short-term solution while drying and repairs are arranged.
What to do first (before we arrive)
If it’s safe to do so, these steps usually help protect you, your insurer, and the property:
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Make the area safe
If water is near electrics, don’t touch sockets or appliances. If in doubt, wait for a qualified professional. -
Stop the source (if you can)
Turn off the stopcock for burst pipes, or isolate the affected area if you know how. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it. -
Take photos and notes
Time-stamped photos of the affected doors/windows and the surrounding damage can be useful for your insurer. -
Keep access for emergency services/adjusters
If you’re expecting a plumber, electrician, or insurer visit, tell us—so we can secure the property without blocking planned access points. -
Call us if the property can’t be secured
If a door won’t close or glazing is compromised, it’s often better to board up promptly than to leave a weak point overnight.
For urgent situations, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call 020 4634 8072.
Why boarding up after flood damage is different
Flood damage affects doors and windows in ways that aren’t always obvious until you try to close them:
- Timber frames swell and distort, preventing proper closure
- uPVC doors can drop/misalign, especially after water ingress around thresholds
- Locks can fail if moisture and debris get into the mechanism
- Glass can crack due to pressure points, movement, or impact during clean-up
- Fixing points may be weaker if surrounding masonry has softened or plaster has blown
Because of this, we don’t treat flood jobs as “standard broken window” call-outs. The goal is secure, weather-resistant protection without causing unnecessary additional damage—and with enough ventilation to support drying where appropriate.
How we secure a flood-damaged property
We’ll talk through what’s happened, what openings are affected, and whether the property is occupied or temporarily vacant. Then we select the safest and most secure option.
1) Boarding up damaged or vulnerable windows
If glazing is broken, cracked, or no longer safely seated, we can board the opening using:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security on most windows
- 12mm OSB where appropriate for smaller or lower-risk openings (often as a temporary measure)
We typically use anti-tamper fixings and position boards to resist removal from outside—important if the property is unattended.
Related service: window boarding in West London.
2) Securing doors that won’t close or lock
Flooding can leave doors misaligned or the lock/keep unusable. Depending on the condition of the door and frame, we can:
- Board the door opening to prevent entry
- Fit a temporary steel door where the property needs repeated access (contractors, drying equipment, inspections)
A temporary steel door is often the most practical option for longer drying periods because it restores controlled entry without relying on a swollen timber frame.
Related service: door boarding in West London.
3) Shopfront and commercial glazing protection
For shops, cafés, and offices, flood damage often coincides with high footfall and higher risk—particularly if glazing has been compromised or frames are loose.
We can install larger, properly braced panels and secure them using methods suitable for commercial openings, with an emphasis on safe access and reducing risk to the public.
Related service: shopfront boarding in West London.
4) Rooflights and overhead openings (when water enters from above)
Sometimes “flood damage” inside is caused by water getting in through a damaged rooflight or skylight. If the opening needs securing and weatherproofing, we can board or protect it as a temporary measure while you arrange repairs.
Related service: roof boarding in West London.
5) Longer-term security for vacant or drying properties
If the property will be empty during drying/strip-out works, we’ll advise on more robust options than timber boards alone, including security screens where appropriate.
Related guidance: vacant property boarding up.
Our on-site approach (what you can expect)
Every flood situation is different, but our process is consistent:
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Assessment on arrival
We check the integrity of the opening and the fixing points. If frames are too soft, cracked, or unstable for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. -
Make safe
Any loose glass, sharp edges, or unstable panels are dealt with so the area is safe to work around. -
Measure and fit boards correctly
We cut boards to fit the opening, brace where needed, and fix securely. For doors, we’ll discuss whether boarding or a temporary steel door is the better option for access. -
Ventilation considerations
Flood-damaged buildings often need to dry. Where possible and appropriate, we can incorporate sensible ventilation (without compromising security) so drying equipment can work effectively. -
Documentation for peace of mind
We can provide itemised invoices and a clear statement of what was secured. If you need it for your insurer or managing agent, ask us for before/after photos.
For more detail on what “boarding up” actually means, see: what is boarding up?.
Flood damage and insurance: what we can (and can’t) help with
We’re not loss adjusters, and we can’t tell you what your insurer will cover. What we can do is provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for—especially if boarding up was necessary to prevent further loss or to keep the property secure.
Useful next step: insurance claims support.
If you’ve already spoken to your insurer, tell us any requirements they’ve mentioned (for example: maintaining access, specific photo evidence, or a clear description of openings secured).
Common flood-damage scenarios we deal with
- Lower-ground flat door swelling and no longer locking after water ingress
- Broken glazing during clean-up or when warped frames shift
- Rear kitchen doors forced shut and then failing to latch
- Shopfront glazing compromised after water undermines the frame
- Rooflight leaks leading to internal water damage and an unsecured opening once the unit is removed
We cover residential and commercial properties across West London: residential boarding up and commercial boarding up.
FAQs: Flood damage boarding up in West London
How quickly should I board up after a flood?
As soon as the property can’t be secured properly—especially if a door won’t lock or glazing is cracked. The risk is higher overnight or if the building is left unattended. If you need urgent help, use our 24 hour emergency boarding up.
Can you board up a door that’s swollen and jammed?
Yes. If the door won’t close or lock reliably, we can secure the opening. In some cases, a temporary steel door is a better solution because it allows controlled access during drying and repairs (see door boarding).
Will boarding up stop the building from drying out?
It shouldn’t, but it depends how it’s done. Drying matters after flood damage, so we consider ventilation and access requirements. If you’re running dehumidifiers or fans, tell us—so we can secure the property without trapping unnecessary moisture.
Do you cover my postcode?
We cover the West London W postcodes (W2–W14). You can also check our areas we cover page for neighbourhood-specific coverage.
How much does flood-damage boarding up cost in West London?
Costs depend on the size and number of openings, materials required (plywood vs other options), access, and whether a temporary steel door is needed. We’ll explain options clearly and provide an itemised invoice. See pricing for cost factors.
Next steps: secure the property, then plan repairs
Flood damage is disruptive, but securing the property is often the first practical milestone—especially if you’re waiting on a drying company, builder, or insurer visit. We’ll help you stabilise the situation with clear advice and solid temporary protection.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Contact us at [email protected].
