Roof Boarding in East London (Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding)
A damaged roof can’t wait. Whether it’s storm damage, a broken skylight, missing tiles after high winds, or impact damage from debris, the priority is to make safe, keep water out, and secure the property from further loss.
Boarding Up East London provides roof boarding across the E postcode area (E1–E77) for domestic and commercial properties. We handle urgent, out of hours call-outs as well as planned temporary boarding for vacant buildings and refurbishments. We’re fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years.
Need help now? For emergency roof boarding in East London, call 020 4634 6384. If it’s out of hours, we’ll prioritise urgent jobs and give you a realistic ETA on the phone. You can also email photos to info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk if safe to do so.
If you’re looking for urgent attendance, go straight to emergency boarding up.
When roof boarding is needed (common emergency scenarios)
Roof boarding is usually requested when there’s an exposed opening that’s letting in rain, creating a fall risk, or leaving the property vulnerable to entry. In East London, we’re commonly called out for:
- Storm damage: lifted flashing, displaced tiles/slates, damaged felt, or debris impact (see storm damage boarding)
- Broken skylights / rooflights: cracked glazing, missing panes, or failed frames allowing water ingress
- Flat roof damage: punctures, torn membranes, or exposed deck edges
- Fire damage: after the fire service has finished, roofs are often left open for ventilation or because sections have failed (see fire damage securing)
- Accidental impact: falling branches, dropped tools, or building works gone wrong (see accident damage)
- Vacant property risk: repeated attempts to access roofs, skylights or rear elevations on empty buildings (see vacant property boarding up)
If your situation is “my roof is open and water is coming in”, that’s exactly what emergency roof boarding is for: temporary boarding to protect the inside, reduce further damage, and help stabilise the situation until permanent repairs can be arranged.
What roof boarding actually does (and what it doesn’t)
Roof boarding is a temporary, make-safe measure. It’s designed to:
- Cover exposed roof openings and broken rooflights
- Reduce rainwater ingress and wind-driven spray getting inside
- Improve security where the roof opening could be used for access
- Create a safer environment until roofing/glazing repairs can be arranged
What it doesn’t do:
- It doesn’t replace a full roofing repair or guarantee a roof is fully watertight in every storm condition
- It doesn’t resolve underlying structural issues (we’ll flag concerns and advise next steps)
- It isn’t smoke/odour remediation after a fire (we secure the property, but specialist remediation is outside our scope)
If the surrounding structure is too compromised for safe boarding, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
Emergency roof boarding in East London: what happens when you call
When you contact us, we keep it practical and focused—because time matters when a roof is open.
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We take key details on the phone
- Property location (postcode and access notes)
- What’s damaged (skylight, flat roof edge, hole, missing section)
- Any immediate hazards (loose debris, water ingress, unsafe ceiling)
- Whether the building is occupied or vacant
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We provide a realistic ETA We don’t give “guaranteed in 30 minutes” promises. Traffic, weather, and active jobs affect timing, especially out of hours. We do prioritise urgent calls and will tell you what’s realistic.
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We arrive and carry out a safety-first assessment We check access, height risks, and whether boarding can be done safely right away. Where needed, we may recommend alternative temporary measures or staged work.
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We make safe and secure Boarding is installed using appropriate materials and fixings for the roof type and opening size, aiming for strong, tamper-resistant coverage.
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You receive documentation We can provide:
- Time-stamped photos (before/after)
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing what was secured and how
This is often helpful for insurance claims.
To request urgent help now, call 020 4634 6384.
Materials we use for roof boarding (and why)
Roof boarding needs to handle wind uplift, rain exposure, and (in many cases) attempted tampering—so material choice matters.
Exterior-grade plywood (common for roof and skylight boarding)
For many roof openings and rooflight covers, we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood. It’s strong, stable, and handles fixings well.
Why plywood?
- Better structural strength than thinner sheet materials
- Reliable holding for fixings (important at height and in windy conditions)
- Suitable for larger spans when properly supported
OSB (often for smaller or sheltered openings)
For certain smaller openings or where the structure dictates, 12mm OSB can be appropriate.
Why OSB (in the right context)?
- Cost-effective for temporary coverage
- Works well for smaller apertures with adequate fixing points
We’ll choose based on exposure, size, and the condition of the surrounding frame.
Fixings and methods (anti-tamper where needed)
We aim to secure boards so they can’t be easily removed from outside—especially for vacant properties or accessible flat roofs.
Depending on the situation, we may use:
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce unauthorised removal
- Coach screws / structural fixings into sound timber or masonry
- Battening to spread loads and avoid splitting weak edges
If the frame is damaged (burnt, waterlogged, cracked), we’ll talk you through whether we can still fix non-destructively or whether a more robust approach is required.
Methods: how we board different roof problems
Every roof is different. Here’s how roof boarding typically changes depending on what’s actually damaged.
Boarding broken skylights and rooflights
A smashed rooflight is a common call-out—dangerous and exposed, and often directly over a landing or stairwell.
Our approach is usually:
- Remove obvious loose shards if safe (we won’t disturb anything unsafe)
- Create a stable fixing perimeter where possible
- Fit a board cut to size with secure fixings
- Ensure the board is stable against wind uplift and doesn’t rock or flex
If your rooflight frame is distorted or too damaged to hold fixings, we’ll explain options on site before proceeding.
Boarding holes in pitched roofs (tiles/slates missing)
Where there’s a hole or missing section, the goal is to cover the exposed area to reduce internal damage.
Depending on access and structure:
- We may board from the outside if safe and feasible
- In some cases, boarding from inside (loft space) is safer as an immediate make-safe
We’ll choose the safest method that still gives meaningful protection.
Flat roof edges, access points and vulnerable areas
Flat roofs can be accessible from neighbouring structures, extensions, or fire escapes, and damaged sections can become a security issue quickly.
We can:
- Board exposed roof deck edges
- Secure damaged access hatches/roof openings
- Reinforce vulnerable points as part of a wider “secure property” approach
For longer-term risk reduction on empty buildings, you may want to consider security upgrades such as steel screening, or a more robust entrance solution like a temporary steel door (often installed as part of door boarding in East London).
Roof boarding for commercial sites, blocks and managed properties
We regularly work with landlords, managing agents, and facilities teams where there are extra requirements such as controlled access, permits, or method statements.
If you manage a site in East London and need roof boarding, we can support with:
- Clear job scope and communication for tenants/security
- Photos and documentation for building management and insurers
- A practical approach for out of hours attendance (without unrealistic promises)
For business premises where the damage affects glazing at street level too, you may also need shopfront boarding in East London.
Insurance: what to document after roof damage
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can help you gather the information insurers typically ask for.
If safe, before we arrive:
- Take wide and close-up photos of the damage (inside and outside if possible)
- Note the time the damage was discovered and what caused it (storm, impact, break-in attempt)
- If relevant, keep your police reference number
After the job, we can provide:
- Time-stamped before/after photos
- An itemised invoice
- A brief work statement describing the temporary boarding and fixings used
For more guidance, read insurance claims support and our general FAQs.
Safety notes (important)
Roof damage can create hazards that aren’t obvious at ground level.
Please avoid:
- Going onto the roof, especially in rain/wind or in the dark
- Standing under sagging ceilings or bulging plasterboard (water load can build quickly)
- Touching hanging cables or light fittings if there’s water ingress
If there’s immediate danger (collapsed structure, live electrics, gas smell), call emergency services first. Once the scene is safe, we can help make safe and secure the property.
Roof boarding vs other ways to secure a property
Roof boarding is one part of property protection. Depending on what’s happened, you might also need:
- window boarding in East London if panes are cracked or a window has been forced
- door boarding in East London if the entrance is damaged or insecure
- Temporary fencing to protect a perimeter during building works or after impact damage (see temporary fencing)
- Broader assistance after an incident (see what is boarding up?)
If you’re unsure what’s needed, call and describe the damage—our job is to recommend a sensible, safe next step, not to upsell you.
FAQs: Roof boarding in East London (E postcodes)
How quickly can you attend for emergency roof boarding?
We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. Attendance time varies based on workload, weather, and access. When you call 020 4634 6384, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.
Can you board a roof in heavy rain or strong winds?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Working at height in high winds or severe weather can be unsafe. If conditions aren’t safe, we’ll explain alternatives (for example, internal containment and temporary measures) and return when it’s safe to complete external boarding.
What thickness board do you use on roofs?
Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and stability, and 12mm OSB for certain smaller or sheltered openings. The exact choice depends on opening size, roof type, exposure, and the condition of the fixing points.
Will roof boarding stop all leaks?
Roof boarding is a temporary measure designed to reduce water ingress and protect the property until permanent repairs are completed. It greatly helps, but no temporary boarding can guarantee complete watertightness in every condition—especially during wind-driven rain.
Can you board a skylight from inside the property?
In some cases, yes—particularly if external access is unsafe or restricted. Boarding from inside can be an effective immediate make-safe, especially overnight, with external works planned for daylight when safe.
Do you provide paperwork for insurers?
Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement describing what was secured and the materials used. For more information, see insurance claims.
Can you secure other access points at the same time?
Yes. If there are broken windows, damaged doors, or vulnerable openings, we can often secure them during the same visit. If the incident involves a break-in, see burglary repairs and boarding.
Do you cover my area in East London?
We cover E1–E77. If you’re in an E postcode, call and we’ll confirm coverage and discuss access.
Ready to secure your roof?
If you need roof boarding in East London—whether it’s a smashed rooflight, storm damage, or an urgent make-safe—call us now.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Contact info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk (photos help if safe).
For urgent attendance details, visit emergency boarding up.
