Situations: What To Do After Damage In Watford (WD1–WD25)

When something goes wrong—burglary, smashed window, storm damage—you need clear next steps and a team who can make your property safe. We specialise in emergency boarding up across Watford and the WD postcodes, attending homes, shops, offices and vacant properties day and night. This page explains what to do after common incidents, how we secure openings, what documentation you’ll receive for insurance, and how we cover different scenarios.

If you need urgent help now, please contact us. We provide emergency boarding up across WD1–WD25 and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

The Problem: After-Damage Risks And Why Speed Matters

A broken door or window is more than an inconvenience. It exposes your property to:

  • Unauthorised entry and further theft or vandalism
  • Weather ingress—rain and wind causing additional damage
  • Safety hazards—shards, unstable frames, overhead glazing risks
  • Insurance complications if the property isn’t promptly secured

We make safe first, then secure. For most openings, we install exterior-grade timber boarding using anti-tamper fixings. For compromised entrances or longer-term needs, temporary steel doors or security screens can be fitted. Our goal is to secure property quickly and responsibly while documenting the damage for your insurer.

Our Approach: Step-By-Step After Any Incident

  1. Initial call and assessment

    • We’ll ask what happened, opening size(s), access constraints, and whether power is available. Photos help if you can safely send them.
    • You’ll receive a realistic ETA based on workload and location.

  2. On-site safety check

    • We clear loose glass, de-nail splintered timber, and cordon unsafe areas where needed.
    • For overhead risks (roof lights, skylights), we use safe access methods or propose alternatives.

  3. Materials selection and sizing

    • Typical: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for doors/shopfronts; 12–18mm OSB or ply for smaller windows.
    • We cut boards to size, maintaining ventilation where appropriate (e.g., flood damage scenarios).

  4. Fixing methods

    • Anti-tamper fixings and through-bolts to prevent removal from outside—particularly important for vacant or unattended properties.
    • Where the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixings, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

  5. Documentation you receive

    • Time-stamped photos before and after.
    • Itemised invoice and work statement describing cause, actions, and materials—suitable for insurers.
    • Upon request, a brief risk note if further works are advised.

  6. Follow-on options

    • Temporary steel doors or steel security solutions for medium-term protection.
    • Guidance on contacting glaziers, builders, or roofers as applicable. We secure; others repair/replace.

We’re fully insured, have 10+ years trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

Materials & Methods: How We Secure Different Openings

  • Windows: Cut-to-fit plywood or OSB, anti-tamper fixings, packers to protect frames. See window boarding in Watford.
  • Doors: Boarding or temporary steel door installation for controlled access with keyed entry. See door boarding.
  • Shopfronts: Larger panel spans, additional bracing, and consideration for signage/alarms. See shopfront boarding.
  • Roof/skylights: Weatherproofing membranes, safe access, and temporary over-boarding. See roof boarding.

Why anti-tamper fixings? They prevent easy removal from outside—critical for unoccupied hours, out of hours closures, or when a property will be left unattended overnight.

Situation Guides

Each incident type has its own safety and insurance considerations. Explore the detailed guides below, or call us if you’re unsure which applies.

Burglary or Break-In

  • Typical damage: forced doors, smashed glass, damaged frames and locks.
  • Priority: make safe, board up door or window, and preserve evidence where advised by police.
  • Insurance tip: keep your crime reference number and take photos if safe.
    Learn more: Post-burglary repairs and securing

Vandalism

  • Typical damage: smashed window, shopfront boarded up urgently, graffiti-related damage to glazing.
  • Priority: remove loose shards, secure property, review CCTV if available.
  • Insurance tip: document exterior and interior damage separately.
    Learn more: Vandalism repair and emergency boarding

Storm Damage

  • Typical damage: wind-blown debris, falling branches, roof lights or skylights compromised.
  • Priority: weatherproofing and safe access, temporary boarding and sheeting.
  • Insurance tip: note the date/time of the storm and any Met Office notices if you have them.
    Learn more: Storm damage securing

Fire Damage

  • Typical damage: heat-fractured glass, weakened frames, access doors cut by fire services.
  • Priority: secure openings once the fire service releases the site; we do not handle smoke/odour remediation.
  • Insurance tip: request the fire incident number and photograph each opening before boarding if safe.
    Learn more: Post-fire boarding up

Flood Damage

  • Typical damage: swollen frames, broken glass from pressure/impact, doors that won’t close.
  • Priority: secure while allowing ventilation where feasible; avoid sealing moisture in.
  • Insurance tip: log water levels and keep receipts for dehumidifiers and emergency works.
    Learn more: Flood damage securing

Accident or Impact

  • Typical damage: vehicle strikes, accidental breakage during works, structural concerns.
  • Priority: safety cordon, make safe glazing, consult structural professional if load-bearing elements may be affected.
  • Insurance tip: gather third-party details when applicable (vehicle, contractor).
    Learn more: Accident damage make-safe and boarding

What You Get From Us

  • Rapid make-safe and secure property measures, 24/7 boarding up across Watford
  • Correct materials for the opening and duration
  • Anti-tamper fixings, bracing where required, and clean site left safe
  • Time-stamped photos and itemised invoice suitable for insurers
  • Honest guidance on next steps—glazing, doors, roofing—without overselling

For urgent calls, visit our 24-hour emergency boarding up in Watford page.

Insurance And Documentation

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we know what insurers typically require:

  • Before/after photos with timestamps
  • Description of incident and immediate actions taken
  • Materials and fixings used, including thicknesses and quantities
  • Our company details, VAT where applicable, and location (postcode) of the incident

See our dedicated guidance: Insurance claims support and Pricing factors. We don’t publish fixed prices because costs vary by opening size, access, time of day, materials, and scope.

Property Types We Secure

  • Homes and flats: fast make-safe, respectful of neighbours and managing agents. See residential boarding.
  • Shops and commercial units: out of hours attendance, RAMS on request. See commercial boarding.
  • Vacant or void properties: medium-term measures like temporary steel doors and security screens. See vacant property boarding.

Safety First: While You Wait

  • Keep distance from broken glazing and avoid touching unstable frames.
  • If a crime is in progress or just occurred, call the police first.
  • Turn off power near water ingress or if fire damage affected cables (if safe to do so).
  • If you can safely take photos before we arrive, do—your insurer may ask.
  • Have your policy and, if relevant, police reference number to hand.

Coverage Across Watford (WD1–WD25)

We cover all WD postcodes, including WD1–WD25, across Watford and surrounding areas. Typical attendance varies by time of day and workload; we prioritise urgent calls and will give a realistic ETA when you ring.

Note: If your exact location isn’t listed, we likely still cover it—call to check.

FAQs: Situations And Next Steps

Do I call you or the police first after a break-in?

If the intruder may still be present or the crime has just occurred, call the police first. Once safe and the scene is released, call us to secure property. We’ll provide documentation for your insurer.

Can you attend out of hours to board up a smashed window?

Yes. We offer out of hours and 24/7 boarding up across Watford. Call 01923 311 082 and we’ll provide an ETA based on current workload and your WD postcode.

Will boarding up affect my insurance claim?

Insurers usually expect you to make the property safe promptly. We supply time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice describing the incident and materials used. See insurance claims guidance.

Can you fit a temporary steel door after a forced entry?

Yes. Where a door is beyond repair or needs controlled access, we can fit a temporary steel door. See our approach under door boarding. We’ll explain the pros and cons before installation.

What if the frame is too damaged to fix boards securely?

We’ll talk you through options—additional bracing, temporary steel door, or security screens. We won’t proceed with destructive methods without your agreement.

How long will the boarding stay in place?

It depends on repair schedules. For short-term security, timber boarding is typical. For longer durations or vacant properties, we may recommend a temporary steel door or security screens. We can revisit to adjust as needed.

Do you cover all WD postcodes, including WD24 and WD25?

Yes, we cover WD1–WD25, including North Watford (WD24) and Garston/Leavesden (WD25). Check areas we cover or call us.

Can you help if my shopfront is smashed tonight?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial shopfronts and can make safe and board up shopfronts out of hours. We’ll coordinate with alarms and shutters where present.

Next Steps

Need help now? Call 01923 311 082 for immediate assistance. Prefer email? info@boarding-up-watford.co.uk. We’ll secure your property, document the work for insurance, and guide you through what comes next.