Flood Damage Boarding Up in Ilford (IG) — Make Safe & Secure Your Property

Flooding is stressful, messy, and often happens with little warning—whether it’s a burst pipe, overflowing appliance, or heavy rain pushing water into a ground-floor room. Once water gets in, doors can swell, locks can fail, glazing can crack under pressure, and frames can twist. That’s when flood damage boarding in Ilford becomes about two things: making the building secure and preventing further exposure while you arrange drying and repairs.

If you need urgent help to secure property after flood damage, we can attend across Ilford and the IG postcodes (IG1–IG11). We’ll assess what’s safe to fix immediately, board up vulnerable openings, and leave you with the documentation insurers typically request.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk

When flood damage happens (and why boarding up is often needed)

Flooding isn’t only “river flooding”. In Ilford and the wider IG area, we’re commonly called out for:

• Internal leaks: burst pipework, tank overflows, leaking radiators, bathroom failures
• Appliance issues: washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters
• Storm-related ingress: rain driven into gaps, damaged roof coverings, blocked gutters
• Ground-level ingress: water entering through thresholds, basements, lightwells, or poorly sealed doors

Even if the water level was low, the after-effects can be serious:

• Timber doors swell and no longer shut properly (or won’t lock)
• uPVC frames and hinges can shift, leaving gaps
• Laminate/engineered floors buckle, pushing against doors and frames
• Glass can crack due to pressure changes or impact from debris
• Security is compromised, especially if you need to leave the property to dry out

If an opening can’t be reliably locked, it’s no longer secure. That’s when temporary boarding becomes the sensible, immediate step.

First: safety and what to do before we arrive

Flood-related call-outs can involve hidden hazards. If you’re dealing with flood damage tonight or out of hours, these quick steps help—only if it’s safe:

1. If electrics are affected, don’t touch anything metal or wet switches. If you can do so safely, isolate power at the consumer unit.
2. Stop the water source if you can (stopcock, appliance valve).
3. Take photos of the damage for your insurer before anything changes (again—only if safe).
4. Keep the property secure until we arrive. If a door won’t shut or a window is broken, keep people away from the opening.
5. Have your insurer details to hand if you’re planning a claim.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’ll provide clear paperwork and supporting evidence for your claim. See: insurance claims support.

Need to make safe now? Call 020 4634 8292

How we secure properties after flood damage (our make-safe approach)

Flood damage is different from burglary or vandalism: things may look intact, but water distortion can make doors and windows unreliable. Our job is to secure the building quickly without making the next stage of repairs harder than it needs to be.

1) We assess what’s actually insecure

On arrival, we’ll check:

• Which doors and windows no longer close/lock
• Whether frames are too soft or swollen to take fixings
• If glazing is cracked, loose, or missing
• Whether the opening needs ventilation (important during drying) or full closure
• Access constraints (flats, communal entrances, rear access, restricted parking)

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

2) We choose the right materials for the opening

We typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable window and door boarding
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate
• Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended or at higher risk of interference

We’ll talk you through the “why” on site. For example, anti-tamper fixings reduce the chance of boards being removed from outside—particularly important if the building is vacant during drying and repairs.

3) We install boarding to suit the condition of the structure

Flooding can soften timber and plaster. Where possible, we use fixing methods that are secure but mindful of the substrate condition. If a frame is too weak to take fixings safely, we’ll discuss alternatives, including a more robust security option like a temporary door.

For doors that won’t shut after swelling or hinge movement, we may recommend boarding the door opening or installing a temporary steel door (better for medium-term security).

Related service: door boarding in Ilford

4) We leave you with clear documentation

After the make-safe work, you receive:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
• An itemised invoice
• A clear work statement describing what was done and why

These are the practical items insurers commonly ask for, especially when you need to show you acted quickly to secure property and mitigate further risk.

Common flood-damage security problems we solve

Swollen doors that won’t lock

A common post-flood issue is a door that “almost closes” but can’t be locked. Even a small gap compromises security and weather resistance. We can board up the door or fit a stronger temporary solution depending on how long the property will be unattended.

• Best fit: door boarding in Ilford
• For longer periods: vacant property boarding in Ilford

Cracked or broken glazing after water ingress

Glass may crack after impact, frame movement, or pressure changes. If you need to board up broken window sections quickly, we’ll measure, cut, and fix boards to the opening so you’re not left exposed overnight.

Best fit: window boarding in Ilford

Water-related roof leaks and skylight failures

Storm flooding sometimes arrives with roof damage—slipped tiles, compromised felt, or broken rooflights. We can make safe and weatherproof the opening with temporary roof boarding where access and conditions allow.

Best fit: roof boarding in Ilford

Shops and ground-floor commercial units

Flooding at street level can leave shopfronts vulnerable—especially if glazing is already cracked or frames have shifted. If you need a shopfront boarded up to prevent entry and protect stock while drying and repairs are arranged, we can help.

Best fit: shopfront boarding in Ilford and commercial property boarding

Typical scenario (what this often looks like in Ilford)

If you’ve had a leak or flood, it’s common to discover later that a back door has swollen and won’t latch, or a ground-floor window frame has shifted enough to leave a gap. You might also have contractors arriving the next day—leaving the property unattended overnight.

In that situation, we’ll focus on emergency boarding up: secure the weak points, protect the opening from further weather, and give you a clean handover with photos and an invoice for your insurer.

If you’re in this position now—especially out of hours—call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and conditions.

Out of hours and need to secure the property? Call 020 4634 8292

Emergency vs planned attendance (and what we can’t do)

Flood damage can be urgent, but not every flood requires immediate boarding. We’ll always be honest about whether you need an emergency visit or whether a planned slot is suitable.

• If you have an open or insecure door/window, it’s usually urgent.
• If the property is still fully lockable and safe, you may only need advice and a scheduled check.

What we don’t do:

• We’re not a drying company and don’t provide full restoration, dehumidification, or mould remediation.
• After a fire-related flood (from firefighting), we can secure the building, but smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope.

If your issue is flood-related but involves additional damage types, you may also find these helpful:

• storm damage boarding in Ilford
• accident damage boarding in Ilford

Flood damage boarding up across Ilford and the IG postcodes

We cover Ilford and surrounding districts across IG1–IG11, including residential streets, flats, mixed-use buildings, and commercial units.

If you’re unsure whether you fall within our area, start here: areas we cover. For nearby local pages, see: boarding up Ilford IG1 and boarding up Gants Hill IG2.

What you can expect when you call (3 steps)

1. Tell us what’s happened
   We’ll ask what’s damaged (door/window/roof), whether the property is currently secure, and if there are any safety concerns (electrics, access).

2. We give a realistic ETA and guidance
   We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions and workload vary—but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and tell you what’s realistic.

3. We attend, make safe, and document the work
   We secure the opening with suitable boarding, then provide time-stamped photos and paperwork for your records/insurer.

Need to make safe now? Call 020 4634 8292

FAQs — Flood Damage Boarding Up in Ilford

Can you secure a property after flood damage even if nothing is “broken”?

Yes. If doors have swollen, frames have shifted, or windows no longer close properly, the property may be insecure. We can install temporary boarding to secure the opening until repairs are completed.

Who can board up my window tonight in Ilford?

If you need emergency boarding up—for example a smashed window or an opening that won’t close—call us and we’ll advise and attend as quickly as possible across Ilford and the IG area.
Call now: 020 4634 8292

Will boarding up stop more water getting in?

Boarding up helps reduce exposure, especially to wind-driven rain, but it’s not a full waterproofing system. If water is still actively entering (e.g., from a plumbing issue), stopping the source comes first. For roof-related ingress, roof boarding in Ilford may be appropriate where safe access is possible.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after a flood?

Often, insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss—securing openings can form part of that. Coverage varies by policy, so confirm with your provider. We provide the documentation insurers typically ask for—photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement.
More guidance: insurance claims support

Do you provide receipts and paperwork for the claim?

Yes. You’ll receive an itemised invoice and a clear work statement, plus time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed make-safe.

My front door won’t close after flooding—do I need a temporary steel door?

Not always. Sometimes door boarding is enough for short-term security. If the property will be unattended for a longer period, or the opening needs regular access for contractors, a temporary steel door can be a better option. We’ll explain what’s suitable on site.
Related: door boarding in Ilford

Can you board up a flat or maisonette with communal access?

Yes, as long as we can gain lawful access to the affected area. If there are building management requirements (permits, security, specific access times), tell us when you call so we can plan accordingly.

Do you handle commercial flood damage, like a shopfront?

Yes. If glazing is damaged or the unit can’t be secured, we can arrange a shopfront boarded up solution suitable for larger panes and public-facing locations.
Related: shopfront boarding in Ilford

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access, and how damaged the frames are. We’ll give you an idea on arrival once we’ve inspected the site.

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• window boarding in Ilford
• door boarding in Ilford
• roof boarding in Ilford
• insurance claims support
• FAQs

Need help after flood damage in Ilford?

If your door won’t lock, you’ve got a smashed window, or you need to make safe after flooding, we can help across Ilford and IG1–IG11.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk