Situations We Help With Across East London (E Postcodes)
When something goes wrong with a property, it rarely happens at a convenient time. If you’ve had a smashed window, a forced door, or a shopfront attack, the priority is simple: make the building safe and secure property so you can deal with everything else (repairs, insurance, tenants) without the risk getting worse overnight.
Boarding Up East London provides emergency boarding up East London and planned securing work across the E postcode area (E1–E77). We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. If you need urgent help, you can speak to a real person and get a realistic ETA based on where you are and what’s happened.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 (24/7) or email [email protected].
What we mean by a “situation” (and how we help)
A “situation” page is about the event—burglary, vandalism, storm damage, fire, flood, or an accident—rather than the method. The right solution might be temporary boarding, a temporary steel door, or security screens, depending on what’s damaged and how long the property will be unattended.
In practice, most call-outs in East London come down to one of these outcomes:
- Board up broken window / smashed window to stop easy access, drafts and weather ingress
- Board up door after forced entry, including when the frame is split or locks are compromised
- Shopfront boarded up after impact damage or targeted vandalism (often out of hours)
- Make safe after emergency services attendance, where glass and openings need immediate attention
- Secure property for a few days while glazing/door replacements are arranged, or for longer if the building is vacant
If you’re not sure what you need, that’s normal. When you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions (property type, access, what’s damaged, whether police/fire have attended) and advise the safest option. For an overview of the methods, see what boarding up is and how it works.
Our approach on emergency and out-of-hours call-outs
Whether it’s a flat in E1, a retail unit in E14, or a managed block elsewhere in East London, our process stays consistent:
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Triage on the phone
We’ll confirm what’s happened, whether anyone is inside, and whether it’s safe to attend. If you’re calling after a burglary or active incident, we may advise you to contact police first. -
Attend and assess the opening
We check the condition of the frame and surrounding fabric. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding. -
Fit the right temporary security
Commonly this is 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger window openings, or 12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk areas where appropriate. For doors, we may recommend a temporary steel door for better medium-term security. -
Anti-tamper fixing where it matters
Anti-tamper fixings help prevent removal from outside—particularly important if the property will be unattended overnight or is a repeat target. -
Documentation you can use
We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear statement of works, and an itemised invoice—the sort of documentation insurers typically request (we’re not loss adjusters, but we help with the evidence trail). See insurance claims support for guidance.
For urgent situations tonight or out of hours, go straight to emergency boarding up.
Common situations we’re called to in East London
Below are the main scenarios we handle. Each situation has its own page with more specific guidance, but this page should help you identify what to do next.
Burglary / break-in (forced doors and windows)
After a break-in, you’re often dealing with more than a broken lock: split frames, damaged hinges, and glazing that’s been punched or levered out. The immediate risk is repeat entry—especially if the property is clearly unoccupied.
We regularly secure:
- Front and rear doors that won’t close properly
- Ground-floor windows and communal entrances
- Side access doors to shops, yards, and service corridors
If your door has been forced and the frame is compromised, boarding may be a short-term measure while you organise replacement—a temporary steel door can be a better choice if you need to secure the opening for weeks rather than days.
Read: burglary repairs and boarding up
Vandalism (smashed glass and targeted damage)
Vandalism is often noisy and visible—shopfront glazing, ground-floor flats, and communal doors can be hit quickly, particularly late evening and overnight. Even when the damage looks “contained”, the exposure can cause secondary issues: rainwater ingress, unsecured access, and hazards from loose glass.
We’ll prioritise making safe:
- Jagged glass edges and unstable panels
- Large shopfront panes where public safety is a concern
- Repeatedly targeted windows where stronger fixing is needed
Read: vandalism repair and securing
Storm damage (wind, debris, and water ingress)
In high winds, even a small failure can turn into a major opening: dislodged panes, damaged rooflights, or doors that no longer latch. The aim is to weatherproof and secure property until permanent repairs are arranged.
Typical storm-related work includes:
- Board up broken window after debris impact
- Securing doors that have blown in or warped
- Temporary covering for rooflights and skylights where safe access is possible
If the damage is overhead, the method can differ—see storm damage boarding and making safe and, for the technical approach, roof boarding.
Fire damage (post-fire security)
After a fire, it’s common for windows to be broken for ventilation or entry, and doors may be removed or left unsecured during firefighting. Once the fire service has handed the scene back, you may need urgent emergency boarding up to prevent unauthorised access and further damage.
What we can do:
- Secure openings created during firefighting
- Board broken windows and damaged doors
- Help reduce exposure to weather and theft
What we don’t do:
- Smoke/odour remediation or internal clearance (we focus on securing the property)
Read: fire damage securing and boarding
Flood damage (swollen frames and compromised doors)
Flooding can leave doors and frames swollen so they won’t close, and ground-floor windows may be damaged by debris or pressure. Securing after flood damage needs a bit of care: sometimes you want security and controlled ventilation to help drying.
We can help you secure the vulnerable points while you coordinate drying and restoration.
Read: flood damage boarding and securing
Accident / impact damage (vehicles, deliveries, accidental breakage)
Accidental impacts happen in residential streets and on busy roads—vehicle strikes to boundary walls and shopfronts, accidental breakage during building works, or damage from deliveries.
In these cases, the priority is:
- Make the opening safe (especially if glass is involved)
- Secure property quickly to prevent opportunistic entry
- Provide clear documentation for insurers or responsible parties
Read: accident damage boarding and making safe
How to decide what you need (boarding, steel doors, or screens)
The “right” solution depends on the opening, the risk level, and how long you need security for.
Temporary boarding (plywood/OSB)
Best for:
- Most smashed window and damaged glazing situations
- Short-to-medium-term security while repairs are arranged
- Rapid make-safe after an incident
Learn more: window boarding in East London and shopfront boarding
Temporary steel doors
Best for:
- Forced entries where the door and frame are unreliable
- Properties that will be unattended (or repeatedly targeted)
- Medium-term security without relying on a damaged timber door
See: door boarding and door securing
Longer-term vacant property security
If a property is empty or between tenants, you may need a more robust approach than “one-off” boarding—especially where there’s ongoing risk. For guidance on securing empty buildings, see vacant property boarding up.
What you can do right now (before we arrive)
If you’re dealing with an emergency, keep it simple and stay safe:
- If there’s an intruder or immediate danger, call 999.
- If safe, take photos/video of damage and any tools left behind (don’t touch anything you may need for evidence).
- Keep your police reference number if officers attend—insurers often ask for it.
- Keep people away from broken glass and avoid moving unstable panels.
- Call us with the basics: postcode, property type (flat/house/shop), what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), and whether access is straightforward.
If the opening is exposed and weather is coming in, mention that—prioritisation can depend on risk to the building fabric.
For urgent help, use our dedicated page: 24/7 emergency boarding up in East London.
Documentation for landlords, managing agents, and insurers
We’re often called by landlords, property managers and commercial tenants who need the site secured and the paperwork ready for the next step.
Typically, we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice and statement of works
- Notes on what was secured and what remains unsafe/damaged
If you’re starting an insurance claim, our guidance page is here: insurance claims support for boarding up. If you’re trying to understand cost drivers (without fixed prices), see boarding up pricing.
Areas we cover for situation call-outs (E1–E77)
We cover East London across the E postcode area, including busy residential streets, mixed-use buildings, estates, and high streets where shopfront incidents often happen out of hours.
If you’re not sure whether you’re in our patch, check areas we cover or call—if we can’t help, we’ll tell you straight.
FAQs about emergency situations and boarding up in East London
Do you do out-of-hours emergency boarding up in East London?
Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up East London for urgent situations. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time because traffic, access and workload vary, but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic ETA when you ring.
Can you board up a broken window tonight?
In many cases, yes—if it’s safe to attend and we can access the opening. If you have a smashed window, keep people clear of the area and call us with your postcode and window type so we can plan materials and fixings.
Should I call the police before arranging boarding up after a break-in?
If a break-in has just happened, or there’s any risk someone is still nearby, call police first. Once the scene is safe (and officers are finished if they attend), we can secure property after burglary. Keep any reference number for your insurer.
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it can be, depending on your policy and circumstances. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide documentation insurers typically request. Start here: insurance claims support.
Can you board up a door if the frame is split?
Sometimes. If the frame is badly compromised, boarding alone may be less secure. We’ll assess on site and explain options—often a temporary steel door is the safer approach for medium-term security.
What’s the difference between shopfront boarding and normal window boarding?
Shopfronts often involve larger openings, public-facing risk, and the need for stronger fixing methods. We focus on making safe for customers and staff, reducing the chance of removal from outside, and leaving the site secure until glazing contractors attend. See shopfront boarding.
I manage a block—can you secure communal doors and shared windows?
Yes. We regularly work with landlords and managing agents. If you need multiple openings secured, tell us how many and whether there are access restrictions (fobs, concierge, permits). For commercial and managed sites, see commercial property boarding up.
Next step: get the property secured
If you need temporary boarding, a shopfront boarded up, or help to make safe after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, fire, flood, or an accident, we’re ready to help across East London.
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 6384 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
