Boarding Up Custom House (E16) — Emergency & 24/7 Property Securing
If you need boarding up in Custom House, E16, it usually means something has just happened — a smashed window, a forced door, or damage that can’t safely be left overnight. Boarding Up East London provides 24/7 emergency boarding up across E16, helping residents, landlords, shop owners and site managers secure property and reduce further risk while repairs and insurance decisions are arranged.
We don’t promise unrealistic arrival times, because traffic, access and call volumes change (especially around major routes and the ExCeL area). What we do promise is clear communication: when you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions and give you a realistic ETA, then prioritise urgent “make safe” jobs.
Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years across East London. If you’re dealing with an insurer, we can also provide the paperwork they typically ask for — including time-stamped photos, a written work summary, and an itemised invoice.
Why boarding up matters in Custom House (E16)
Custom House sits in a part of East London where properties and premises can be exposed to a mix of risks: busy roads, high footfall at certain times, and a blend of older housing stock alongside newer developments and commercial sites. When something fails — glass, frames, locks, or panels — the main problem is rarely just the initial damage. It’s what can happen next if the opening is left unsecured.
Common reasons people call us for emergency boarding up in E16 include:
- Smashed window incidents (accidental impact, vandalism, attempted break-ins)
- Forced entry damage to doors and frames (even if the intruder didn’t get in)
- Shopfront glazing damage where the premises can’t be left exposed
- Storm-related breakage (panes, rooflights, loose panels) that lets rain in and weakens frames
- Vacant or between-tenant properties that need temporary boarding to deter opportunistic entry
Local factors that make fast securing important
Custom House has a mix of residential streets, main routes, and commercial pockets. That combination matters because:
- Footfall can change quickly: areas feel quiet at one time of day and busy later. A boarded opening can be the difference between a minor incident and repeat attempts.
- Mixed-use buildings (flats above commercial units, blocks with shared access) can create extra urgency — a ground-floor break can affect everyone’s security.
- Weather exposure off the dockside/river corridor can turn a cracked pane into a fully open window, and rain ingress can quickly damage floors, electrics and plaster.
- Commercial frontages near transport links and venues can be targeted after-hours; if glazing is gone, you need the premises secure before stock and fittings become the next loss.
Property types we often secure in E16
While every job is different, the most common property types we see around Custom House include:
- Flats and maisonettes (including blocks with communal entrances where access control is crucial)
- Terraced and semi-detached homes with vulnerable side windows and rear doors
- Retail and light commercial units where large panes and aluminium frames can be compromised by a single impact
- Site cabins, storerooms and outbuildings that may not have robust doors or window protection
The aim of boarding isn’t to “make it look pretty”. It’s to remove the easy opportunity: close off access, reduce injury risk from broken glass, and stabilise the situation until permanent repairs are arranged.
A typical Custom House (E16) call-out (example)
A typical call-out in Custom House might involve a late-evening phone call from a tenant or duty manager reporting a smashed window or damaged entrance near a busy route — sometimes close to Custom House station, or near footfall linked to ExCeL London.
On arrival, we’d first do a quick safety check:
- Confirm the area is safe to approach (and that police have attended if there’s been a crime).
- Check for loose glass, exposed fixings, or sharp edges that could injure someone.
- Assess whether the frame is sound enough for non-destructive boarding.
Then we’d choose the most suitable method:
- For many openings, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is used for strength and resistance to tampering.
- For smaller panes or short-term internal protection, OSB may be appropriate (we’ll advise honestly based on risk and exposure).
- Fixings are selected to suit the substrate (brick, timber, uPVC surround, aluminium framing), using anti-tamper fixings where there’s a realistic chance of someone trying to remove boards from outside.
If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged to secure safely using normal fixing points, we’d explain the options before proceeding — for example, bracing across stronger points, or alternative methods to achieve a secure “make safe” result without causing unnecessary additional damage.
Before leaving, we’d provide what most customers need straight away:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured opening
- A brief description of the method and materials used
- An itemised invoice suitable for insurance submission
What to do right now (Custom House emergency checklist)
If you’re in Custom House and you need to board up a broken window or board up a door, these steps help you stay safe and protect your claim.
-
If there’s danger or a crime in progress, call 999.
If the incident has already happened and it’s safe, call 101 to report it and get a crime reference number. -
Keep people away from the damage.
Broken glazing can travel further than you think, especially with large panes. Keep children and pets out of the room/area. -
Take photos (only if safe).
Use your phone to capture:- The full opening (window/door/shopfront) from a few angles
- Close-ups of damage to frames, locks and hinges
- Any spread of debris (inside and outside if safely accessible)
These photos help both your insurer and any contractors doing permanent repairs.
-
Do not sweep up evidence if police attendance is likely.
If it’s a suspected break-in, avoid moving items around more than necessary until you’ve been advised. -
Call us to secure the opening.
Tell us:- What’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
- Rough size/number of openings
- Whether the property is occupied tonight
- Any access notes (communal entry, rear access, shutters, height, courtyards)
-
Contact your insurer as early as practical.
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request for emergency works.
While you’re waiting, avoid trying to “make do” with thin materials (cardboard, bin bags, taped plastic). They rarely survive wind or tampering, and can actually make water ingress worse by funnelling rain into the frame.
Our local coverage around Custom House
We cover Custom House (E16) and the surrounding E16 area, including residential streets, commercial frontages and mixed-use buildings. If you’re just outside the immediate Custom House pocket, we also regularly attend nearby locations such as:
When you call, we’ll confirm you’re in E16, take a few details, and advise the quickest, safest way to secure property and achieve a proper “make safe” outcome for the night.
Custom House boarding up FAQs (E16)
How quickly can you attend Custom House (E16)?
Attendance depends on call volume, time of day, and road conditions in E16. We prioritise urgent security risks and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone rather than guessing.
I’m near Custom House station — can you board up tonight?
Yes, we provide out of hours and overnight call-outs in E16. If you’ve had a smashed window or your door won’t secure, call and we’ll talk you through what we can do immediately to make the property safe.
Can you secure a commercial unit near ExCeL London?
Yes. A lot of E16 has mixed commercial/residential use, and we often secure premises that can’t be left open due to stock, equipment, or public exposure. If you have a damaged frontage, we can shopfront boarded up as a temporary security measure and provide documentation for your insurer or facilities team.
Will boarding damage my window or door frame further?
Our aim is always to secure openings with minimal additional damage, using appropriate fixing methods for the surrounding materials. If the frame is already weakened (common after forced entry), we’ll explain the safest fixing approach before we start.
What materials do you use for temporary boarding in E16?
Most external security boarding uses 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and resistance to tampering. In some lower-risk or internal-only situations, OSB can be suitable. The choice depends on exposure, opening size, and whether the property will be unattended.
Can you board up if the property has communal access or a concierge?
Yes. Many E16 properties are flats with controlled access. If you can arrange entry (or meet us), we can secure the affected opening and provide a clear record of what was done — useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurers.
I’m a landlord with a vacant flat in Custom House — can you secure it until repairs are done?
Yes. If the property will be empty, we’ll usually recommend stronger, more tamper-resistant boarding and fixings to reduce repeat attempts. Tell us how long you expect it to be unattended and we’ll advise the most sensible temporary security approach.
Do you provide paperwork for insurance claims?
Yes. We can supply time-stamped photos, a written description of the “make safe” works, and an itemised invoice. We can’t guarantee what your insurer will cover, but we provide the documentation they typically request.
Need boarding up in Custom House (E16) now?
Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 to arrange emergency boarding up in Custom House, E16. If you can’t stay on the line, tell us and we’ll arrange a callback as soon as possible. You can also email photos to info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk to help us assess what’s needed.
