Storm Damage Boarding Up in East London (E Postcodes)

Storm damage is stressful because it rarely happens at a convenient time. A sudden gust can tear a fence panel loose, a branch can go through a window, or driving rain can find the one weak point in a rooflight. If your property is exposed, you’re not just dealing with the original damage—you’re trying to prevent water ingress, heat loss, and opportunistic break-ins.

Boarding Up East London provides emergency boarding up across the E postcodes (E1–E77) to help you make safe a property after storm damage. We don’t promise unrealistic arrival times, because conditions and workloads vary, but we do prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA when you call.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email (non-urgent)? [email protected]

When storm damage usually leads to boarding up

After high winds or heavy rain, the most common problems we’re called to in East London include:

• A smashed window (often from debris, roof tiles, or loose garden items)
• Failed glazing (cracks spreading, panes blown in, or frames pulled out of square)
• Doors that no longer close properly (swollen timber, shifted frames, or damaged locks)
• Shopfront glazing damage (large panes are vulnerable during severe weather)
• Roof and skylight openings (broken rooflights, missing tiles, or uplift around flat-roof edges)

Even if the opening looks “small”, it can quickly become a bigger issue overnight—especially if the building is left unattended. That’s where temporary boarding comes in: it’s about stabilising the situation and keeping the property secure until permanent repairs can be arranged.

If you need help right away, see our urgent page: emergency boarding up.

Why storm damage needs securing quickly (not just “patched”)

Storm damage isn’t always dramatic; it’s often a chain reaction:

1. Wind or impact breaks a pane / shifts a frame
2. Rain gets in, damaging floors, electrics, plaster, and contents
3. The property becomes easier to enter (or looks empty)
4. The cost of the claim rises, and repairs take longer

Boarding up is a practical, insurable “make safe” step that protects the structure and reduces further damage. We’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked—useful reassurance if you’re a landlord, managing agent, or you can’t be on site throughout the job.

What we do to secure a property after storm damage

The right method depends on what’s damaged (glass, frame, door leaf, roof opening) and what condition the surrounding structure is in. Our aim is to secure the opening without causing unnecessary extra damage, while still being strong enough to deter tampering.

1) We assess the opening and the fixing points

On arrival we’ll look at:

• Whether the frame is stable enough to take fixings
• Whether any glass is loose, hanging, or hazardous
• Access constraints (upper floors, rear access, shared entrances)
• Whether the property is occupied, temporarily vacant, or fully void

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) We choose the right boarding material (and explain why)

Common boarding materials include:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable window and door boarding
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings or low-risk internal areas (where appropriate)

We’ll match the thickness and fixing method to the risk level—particularly important if the building will be unattended.

3) We fit boarding using secure, anti-tamper methods

Depending on the situation, we may use:

• Reveals and battens to spread load and reduce frame damage
• Coach screws / through-bolting where the surrounding substrate allows
• Anti-tamper fixings to make removal from the outside much harder

Anti-tamper fixings matter after storms because damaged properties can look like easy targets—especially if there are multiple buildings in the same street affected.

4) We “make safe” the area and leave it secure

Where needed, we’ll:

• Clear immediate hazards (e.g., loose shards in the immediate work area)
• Check the board is stable, flush, and properly secured
• Advise you on next steps (glazing, locksmith, roofer, insurer)

We can’t do everything: we’re not roofers or glaziers, and we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation (for fire-related issues). But we can secure the vulnerable points so your repairs can be planned properly.

Storm damage: the most common boarding jobs (and the right service for each)

Boarding up broken or blown-in windows

If you need to board up a broken window after debris hits glass or a frame fails in high wind, we can secure it with exterior-grade board and anti-tamper fixings.

Service link: window boarding in East London
Need emergency window boarding tonight? Call 020 4634 6384

Securing damaged doors that won’t lock

Storms can twist doors, shift frames, or break locks—especially on exposed entrances and communal doors. If you need to board up a door or temporarily secure a forced or failed entry point, we’ll advise the safest option.

Service link: door boarding in East London
If a door is too compromised for boarding alone, a temporary steel door may be the better short-term solution (we’ll talk you through it on the phone).

Shopfront boarded up after storm impact

Large panes and aluminium frames can be vulnerable in severe weather. If your glazing has failed and you need your premises secured out of hours, we can board to a standard suitable for commercial frontage until your glass contractor attends.

Service link: shopfront boarding in East London
If you need a shopfront boarded up today, call 020 4634 6384.

Rooflights, skylights and roof openings

Wind uplift and impact can damage rooflights and skylights, allowing rain straight into the property. Boarding roof-level openings is about weatherproofing and safety, and it often involves access planning.

Service link: roof boarding in East London
If water is getting in now, call 020 4634 6384 and we’ll discuss the safest “make safe” approach.

A typical storm-damage call-out in East London

A typical call-out might involve a tenant or landlord in an E postcode noticing a smashed window after overnight high winds. The outer pane has failed, the frame has loosened slightly, and rain has started tracking down the inside wall.

On the phone we’ll ask a few quick questions (floor level, size of opening, whether the glass is still in place, and whether anyone is at risk). When we attend, we’ll check the frame and surrounding brickwork for stable fixing points, then fit 18mm exterior-grade plywood with a method suited to the substrate. If the property is going to be empty overnight, we’ll typically recommend anti-tamper fixings.

Before we leave, we’ll confirm the opening is secure and provide time-stamped photos plus an itemised invoice and work statement—documents that are commonly requested for storm-related claims. We’ll also advise on the next step: arranging glazing or joinery repairs once conditions allow.

What to do right now after storm damage (step-by-step)

If you’re dealing with storm damage in East London, these steps help protect people first, then the building:

1. Check for immediate danger

   • Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames.
   • If there are downed power lines or structural concerns, treat it as an emergency and call the appropriate services.

2. Limit water ingress if it’s safe

   • Move valuables away from the opening.
   • Use towels/buckets for active leaks and avoid touching electrics if water is present.

3. Document the damage

   • Take clear photos/videos (wide shot + close-ups).
   • Note the time and what happened (high winds, debris impact, etc.).

4. Call your insurer as soon as practical

   • Keep your claim reference number.
   • Ask what documentation they want for the “make safe” work.

5. Call us to secure the property

   • We’ll ask a few questions and give a realistic ETA.
   • We’ll advise whether you need window boarding, door boarding, shopfront boarding, or roof boarding.

Need emergency boarding up now? Call 020 4634 6384

Insurance notes for storm damage boarding up (practical, not legal advice)

Many storm damage claims allow for reasonable “make safe” steps to prevent further loss. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide what insurers typically ask for:

• Itemised invoice (materials and labour)
• Work statement describing what was secured and why
• Time-stamped photos of the completed boarding (and damage where possible)

If you want a bit more guidance on what to keep and how to present it, see: insurance claims support.

How long does storm-damage boarding up take?

It depends on:

• Size and number of openings
• Whether access is straightforward (ground floor vs upper floor)
• Condition of frames (sound timber/brickwork vs rotten or fractured)
• Whether it’s a home, shopfront, or a larger commercial unit

A single window can sometimes be secured quickly once access is clear, but multiple openings or roof-level work can take longer. When you call, we’ll ask enough to set expectations before we attend.

If you’re comparing options and costs, our guide may help: pricing.

Storm damage FAQs (East London)

Can you board up a broken window the same day after a storm?

Often, yes—we prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible across East London. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, especially in widespread storm conditions, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Do you cover my postcode in the E area?

We cover E1–E77. If you’re unsure whether your exact location falls within our usual route, call and we’ll confirm quickly. For local coverage examples, see areas we cover.

What if my window frame is damaged as well as the glass?

That’s common after storm impact. If the frame is too unstable for standard fixings, we’ll explain the safest option before we start—sometimes that means altering the fixing approach, and in severe cases discussing alternative temporary security.

Can you secure a property out of hours after storm damage?

Yes. We provide out of hours and 24/7 boarding up across East London for urgent situations. If you need help tonight, use: emergency boarding up.

My shopfront glazing has cracked—should I close the business?

If the glass is compromised, there’s a safety and security risk. The priority is to make safe and secure the frontage. We can arrange for the shopfront to be boarded so you can protect stock and reduce the chance of further damage, then coordinate permanent glazing separately.

Will boarding up stop rain completely?

Boarding is primarily a security and make-safe measure, and it reduces exposure significantly. In wind-driven rain, no temporary solution is perfect—especially around roof openings—but correct fitting and exterior-grade materials help minimise further ingress until full repairs are completed.

Can you provide paperwork for my insurer or managing agent?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear work statement. That’s usually what landlords, facilities managers, and insurers need to process the “make safe” portion of a storm claim.

Do you remove the boards later?

We can discuss return visits depending on your repair schedule and access. Some customers prefer their builder or glazier to remove boards during permanent works; others ask us to come back. If you tell us your plan, we’ll advise the most practical approach.

Get help securing storm damage in East London

If your property has a smashed window, a door that won’t secure, a damaged shopfront, or a rooflight letting in water, we can help you secure the property with strong, professional temporary boarding.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
Non-urgent enquiries: [email protected]

Helpful Links

• For urgent call-outs: emergency boarding up
• For broken glass: window boarding in East London
• For failed entrances: door boarding in East London
• For commercial glazing: shopfront boarding in East London
• For rooflights/skylights: roof boarding in East London
• For claims paperwork: insurance claims support