Flood Damage Boarding Up in East London (E Postcodes)

Flooding is stressful. Whether it’s a burst pipe in a flat, a ground-floor shop that’s taken on water, or water ingress after heavy rain, the damage can leave doors and windows warped, cracked, or unable to lock properly. Even when the water has stopped, your property may be left insecure and exposed to further loss.

Boarding Up East London provides emergency boarding up across E postcodes (E1–E77) to help you make safe damaged openings and secure property after a flood. We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading in East London for 10+ years.

If you need help now—especially out of hours—call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps and give you a realistic ETA.

Need urgent help after a flood? Call 020 4634 6384
Prefer email for planned works? info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk

When flood damage leads to boarding up

Not every flood requires boarding, but it’s common to need temporary boarding when water has compromised security or made openings unsafe. Typical flood-related reasons people call us include:

• Doors that won’t close or lock after swelling (often timber doors and frames)
• UPVC or composite doors knocked out of alignment due to movement or debris impact
• Ground-floor windows cracked or forced open during clean-up, ventilation, or forced entry by water
• Shopfront glazing at risk after water damage to frames or fixings (your insurer may require immediate securing)
• Garage doors / side entrances that no longer latch, leaving an easy access point
• Vacant properties where floodwater has caused damage and the building will be unattended

Even if the glass isn’t broken, a door that doesn’t lock properly is a security problem. If you’re thinking “I just need someone to board up a door” or “I need to board up a broken window”, flood damage is one of the most common causes.

For urgent support, see our dedicated page for emergency boarding up.

What makes flood damage different (and why “make safe” matters)

Flood damage often looks simple at first—water comes in, water goes out—but the after-effects can create real risk:

• Swollen frames can pop fixings, twist hinges, and make locks unreliable
• Hidden damage (soft timber, blown plaster, weakened reveals) can affect how we safely fix boards
• Ongoing moisture means materials and methods need to be chosen carefully so the property is secure without trapping water where ventilation is needed
• Delayed break-ins are common: once a property looks empty or compromised, opportunists may try doors and ground-floor windows

Our job is to secure the property quickly and sensibly—protecting the building while you arrange drying, repairs, or an insurance inspection.

How we secure a property after flooding (step-by-step)

Every site is different, but our flood-damage call-outs usually follow a clear process. We’ll keep you informed throughout, especially if the frames are too damaged for non-destructive methods.

1) Quick assessment of what’s unsafe or insecure

We check which openings are compromised:

• Doors that won’t latch or have failed multipoint locks
• Windows with cracked panes, damaged beading, or loose frames
• Shopfronts where glazing is intact but the frame is unstable
• Any access point that could be pushed open from outside

If access is restricted (for example, waterlogged communal entrances or building management controls), we’ll work with you to find the safest practical approach.

2) Choosing the right boarding material

We don’t use a one-size-fits-all sheet. Depending on the opening and risk level, we typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure boarding of doors and vulnerable windows
• 12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk openings where appropriate (and only where it provides sufficient strength)

For higher-risk or longer-term needs—especially if the property will be empty—we may recommend a more robust option than timber boarding.

3) Fixing methods that prioritise security

Where possible, we use internal fixing methods and anti-tamper fixings. The goal is to prevent the board being removed from outside—important if the building will be unattended after a flood.

If the frame is too weak or damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes that means spanning to sound structure; sometimes it means a different security solution entirely.

4) Door security: boarding vs temporary steel doors

Flooded doors are often the biggest issue because they’re the main access point for occupiers, contractors, and insurers.

• If you need a quick board up door solution for security, we can board the doorway safely.
• If you need repeated access over days/weeks (drying equipment, loss adjuster visits, trades), a temporary steel door is often more practical and secure than removing and refixing boards.

If you think a temporary steel door might be the better fit, start here: door boarding in East London.

5) Documentation for insurance and property management

We’re not loss adjusters, but we do provide documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

• Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
• Itemised invoices
• A short work statement describing what was done and why

If you’re managing the property for someone else (landlord, facilities, block management), that paperwork helps keep everything moving.

Common flood scenarios we attend in East London

Flooding can happen anywhere in the E postcode area, but we often see patterns:

• Ground-floor flats and converted period homes with older timber frames that swell quickly
• Mixed-use buildings where commercial units sit below residential flats—one leak can affect multiple levels
• Retail and small industrial units where water ingress can compromise a rear door or shutter/entry point
• Vacant properties between tenancies, where nobody spots the problem until significant swelling or frame failure occurs

If you’re in a high-footfall area, visible damage can attract unwanted attention. Getting the property secured quickly is often as important as getting it dried out.

A typical flood-damage call-out (what it might look like)

A typical call-out might involve a ground-floor property in East London where a burst pipe has flooded the hallway and front room. The water has receded, but the front door won’t lock and a window frame has shifted slightly, leaving a gap.

When we arrive, we’ll first confirm the property is safe to work in and identify the best way to secure access. If the door and frame are too swollen for reliable locking, we may:

• Board the doorway securely using exterior-grade plywood with fixings designed to resist removal from outside, or
• Install a temporary steel door if the customer needs ongoing access for drying contractors and inspections.

For the window, we’ll either board the opening or reinforce it depending on damage—aiming to secure the property without creating additional water traps. Finally, we’ll provide photos and an itemised invoice suitable for insurers and property managers.

If you’re dealing with a similar situation tonight and need 24/7 boarding up, call us—especially if you’ve had to leave the property unattended.

Need to secure a flooded property now? Call 020 4634 6384

What to do right now after flood damage (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps can help protect you, your occupants, and your claim:

1. Put safety first. Avoid contact with standing water if you suspect electrical risk. If in doubt, contact your electricity provider/emergency services.
2. Stop the source if possible (turn off the stopcock for burst pipes, isolate local valves).
3. Take clear photos/video of damaged doors/windows and any forced openings—only if safe.
4. Do a quick security check: can the front door lock? Are any windows open, cracked, or loose?
5. Contact your insurer early. Ask what they require for emergency measures and keep a note of who you spoke to.
6. Call us to make safe and secure. We’ll advise what’s sensible for the short term and what might be better for medium-term security.

If you believe a crime has occurred (for example, a break-in during or after flooding), report it to the police and keep your reference number.

For flood-specific securing, you’re in the right place. For other events, you may also want accident damage securing or storm damage help depending on the cause.

What we can secure after a flood (and what we don’t do)

We focus on security and making safe. After flood damage, we typically help with:

• Boarding up broken or vulnerable windows
• Boarding and securing damaged doors
• Shopfront boarded up for compromised commercial glazing areas
• Securing awkward or overhead openings where safe access is possible

If the property needs drying, dehumidification, strip-out, or specialist restoration, that’s outside our scope—but we’ll leave the building secure so those teams can work.

For specific solutions, these pages explain the methods we use:

• window boarding in East London
• door boarding in East London
• shopfront boarding in East London

Flood damage and insurance claims (practical notes)

Insurers usually expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss. Boarding up is often considered a sensible emergency measure when:

• A door or window can’t be secured normally
• The building will be left empty
• There’s a clear risk of theft, vandalism, or further weather ingress

It helps to keep:

• Your claim/reference details
• Before-and-after photos (if safe)
• Any receipts/invoices for emergency works

More guidance is available here: insurance claims support.

Flood Damage Boarding Up FAQs (East London)

Can you secure my property out of hours after a flood?

Yes. We provide emergency boarding up across East London and can attend out of hours when the situation is urgent. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

My door isn’t broken—just swollen and won’t lock. Do I still need boarding?

Often, yes. A door that doesn’t lock is effectively an open invitation. We can board up the door for immediate security or discuss a stronger option if you need regular access.

Can you board up a smashed window even if the room is still damp?

Yes, in most cases. We’ll assess the frame and surrounding structure first. If the frame is too weak to fix into safely, we’ll explain alternatives before proceeding.

Should I choose plywood or OSB after flood damage?

It depends on the opening and risk. We commonly use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability. OSB can be suitable for smaller, lower-risk openings. We’ll recommend what’s appropriate once we’ve seen the damage.

Do you work with landlords and managing agents in E postcodes?

Yes. We regularly help landlords, letting agents, and facilities teams across E1–E77. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear description of the work done.

Can you secure a shopfront after flooding?

Yes—if the frame or glazing is compromised, we can arrange a shopfront boarded up solution to deter entry and keep the premises secure while you organise glazing and repairs.

Will boarding up affect ventilation while the property dries out?

It can, which is why we think about airflow during flood recovery. Our priority is to secure property, but we’ll discuss practical options if drying contractors need ventilation. (We won’t compromise external security to create ventilation.)

How long does temporary boarding last?

Temporary boarding is designed as a short-term security measure, but it can remain in place while repairs are organised. If the property will be empty for longer, we may recommend stronger, longer-term solutions discussed on our service pages.

Speak to a flood-damage boarding-up team in East London

If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or want urgent help to make safe after flooding, we’re here.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
For non-urgent enquiries, email info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk.