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

Storm damage is stressful. A sudden gust can break a window, lift roof materials, or force a door so it no longer closes properly. If your home, shop, or site in Ilford has been left exposed, the priority is to make safe, stop further weather getting in, and secure the property until permanent repairs can be arranged.

We provide storm damage boarding up in Ilford and across the IG postcodes (IG1–IG11). If you need help today or out of hours, call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps and give you a realistic ETA.

Need urgent help after storm damage? Call 020 4634 8292
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk

When storm damage boarding up is needed (and why it matters)

After high winds, heavy rain, or flying debris, properties can be left vulnerable in ways that aren’t always obvious at first glance. We’re commonly called when:

• You have a smashed window or cracked glazing that’s become unsafe
• A back door has shifted and won’t lock (or the frame is split)
• A shopfront panel has popped or shattered and you need the shopfront boarded up quickly
• A rooflight/skylight has failed and rain is entering the building
• A panel has blown out of a communal area (flats, stairwells, shared entrances)
• A vacant or void property has been exposed and needs temporary boarding to prevent break-ins

Even if the damage looks “minor”, an exposed opening can quickly lead to:

• Water ingress and swelling frames
• Further glass failure in gusty conditions
• Increased risk of opportunist entry
• Escalating repair costs (and complications for insurance)

If you’re unsure whether you need boarding, call anyway. We’ll give practical advice and only recommend what’s appropriate.

Need to secure the property now? Call 020 4634 8292

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

If it’s safe to do so, these steps can help protect people and support an insurance claim:

1. Keep everyone away from broken glass and unstable frames. Don’t try to remove shards from double-glazed units.
2. Take photos/video of the damage from a safe distance (inside and outside if possible).
3. If emergency services attended, note any reference numbers.
4. Avoid climbing or accessing roofs—storm damage can make surfaces unstable.
5. If you can safely isolate a room, do so and keep pets/children away.

If there’s an immediate hazard (glass falling, structural concerns), treat it as urgent and call us.

How we secure storm-damaged properties in Ilford

Our job is to make safe and secure the opening quickly, using methods that fit the location and the condition of the frame.

Step 1: Assess the opening and the surrounding frame

Storm damage can twist frames, crack masonry, or loosen fixings. On arrival we check:

• What’s failed (glass, frame, hinges, lock area, shopfront glazing, rooflight)
• Whether we can fix using non-destructive methods or whether the substrate is too compromised
• The safest and most secure fixing points (especially with older frames or water-damaged timber)

If the frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Step 2: Choose the right boarding material (plywood vs OSB)

For storm-related call-outs we commonly use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings, shopfronts, and higher-risk locations
• 12mm OSB for smaller windows or temporary internal boarding where suitable

Material choice depends on the opening size, exposure, and how long the property may be left unattended.

If you want more detail on the method, see our guide to what boarding up is and how it works.

Step 3: Fix securely with anti-tamper methods where needed

When security is a concern (especially if the property is unoccupied), we use appropriate fixings designed to prevent removal from the outside. This matters after storms because properties are often left temporarily exposed while owners wait for glaziers, roofers, or insurers.

We also take care to:

• Keep boarding edges neat and stable
• Avoid creating additional damage wherever possible
• Maintain safe access routes (especially for communal entrances and retail units)

Step 4: Weather considerations (reducing further ingress)

Boarding up is primarily about safety and security, but after storm damage we also consider:

• The direction of prevailing wind/rain on the exposed elevation
• Whether the opening is likely to “work” in gusts (which can loosen poor fixings)
• Short-term protection until permanent repairs

We’ll be transparent: boarding up is not a full building repair, and severe roof damage may require additional specialist attention. Our role is to secure the opening and reduce risk immediately.

Storm-damage scenarios we handle across IG postcodes

Storm damage doesn’t look the same in every property. These are typical scenarios we’re equipped for:

Board up broken windows (houses, flats, communal areas)

A branch or debris can cause a smashed window or crack a pane that later collapses. We can board up broken window openings to make them safe and secure while you arrange glazing.

Related service: window boarding in Ilford

Board up door after wind damage or impact

Strong gusts can slam doors, split frames, or damage locks—particularly on side or rear entrances. If a door cannot be secured, we can board up door openings or discuss more robust temporary options.

Related service: door boarding in Ilford

Shopfront damage (retail, restaurants, offices)

If a storm hits signage, shutters, or glazing, you may need a shopfront boarded up the same day to protect stock and prevent entry—especially out of hours.

Related service: shopfront boarding in Ilford

Rooflights and skylights

Wind-driven rain through a failed rooflight can cause fast internal damage. If safe access is possible, we can secure overhead openings and help you stabilise the situation until roofing repairs are arranged.

Related service: roof boarding in Ilford

Temporary security upgrades (when boarding isn’t enough)

Sometimes storm damage exposes broader security problems—especially for empty buildings, repeated incidents, or high-risk openings.

• Temporary steel doors can be a practical option when an entrance has been forced, warped, or cannot be reliably locked.
• Security screens may be better for longer-term void situations.

If you manage a void or need medium-term protection, see: vacant property boarding in Ilford

What you get from us (useful for insurance and records)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we provide documentation insurers typically need after a storm damage claim.

You’ll receive:

• Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible)
• An itemised invoice
• A clear work statement describing what was secured, with materials and fixing method noted

This helps when you’re coordinating follow-on repairs and when your insurer asks what emergency measures were taken.

For more guidance, visit: insurance claims support

Coverage: Ilford and IG1–IG11 (Redbridge & surrounding areas)

We cover Ilford and the wider IG postcode area, including residential streets, busy shopping parades, flats above shops, and managed buildings.

Postcode districts covered: IG1, IG2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG6, IG7, IG8, IG9, IG10, IG11

Nearby areas we commonly attend from Ilford include:

• Seven Kings (IG3)
• Gants Hill (IG2)
• Newbury Park (IG2)
• Redbridge (IG4)
• Clayhall (IG5)
• Barkingside / Hainault (IG6)
• Woodford Bridge / Woodford Green (IG8)
• Buckhurst Hill (IG9)
• Loughton / High Beach (IG10)
• Barking (IG11)

If you’re not sure which IG district you’re in, call—tell us your street and we’ll confirm.

See also: areas we cover

What happens when you call (simple, practical, no run-around)

1. Tell us what’s happened (storm damage, smashed window, door not closing, rooflight leak, etc.) and the property type (house/flat/shop/void).
2. We give you a realistic ETA based on workload and travel conditions. We don’t promise fixed arrival times—storms affect roads and access—but we prioritise urgent calls.
3. We attend, make safe, and secure the property, then provide photos and paperwork for your records/insurer.

Need emergency boarding up now? Call 020 4634 8292

Typical storm-damage call-outs in Ilford (what we’re often asked to do)

These are common “in the moment” requests after bad weather:

• Emergency boarding up after a smashed window at night
• Temporary boarding to secure a property while a glazier is booked
• Make safe where glass is loose or the opening is accessible from the street
• Shopfront boarded up after wind-driven impact to glazing
• Securing rear doors that won’t lock after wind damage
• Boarding for flats above shops where access and safe working space are limited

FAQs — Storm Damage Boarding Up in Ilford

How quickly can you attend after a storm?

Attendance depends on demand, time of day, and road conditions. During widespread storms we prioritise urgent hazards and exposed openings. Call us and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Can you board up a broken window tonight (out of hours)?

Yes, we handle out of hours call-outs. If you need to board up broken window openings tonight, call and we’ll advise what to do while you wait.

What if my window frame is damaged as well as the glass?

We’ll assess the frame first. If it’s sound enough, we’ll fix the board securely. If it’s too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding so you can choose the safest approach.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after storm damage?

Often, emergency measures to prevent further damage can be covered, but policies vary. Keep your photos and any reference numbers, notify your insurer early, and retain our itemised invoice and work statement. More help here: insurance claims support.

Can you secure a shopfront that’s been damaged by flying debris?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial glazing openings and can get a shopfront boarded up to protect stock and reduce risk of entry. Read more: shopfront boarding in Ilford.

Do you do roof repairs as well?

We can secure certain roof openings (like rooflights/skylights) as a make-safe measure, but we don’t replace roofing systems or carry out full roof repairs. Our focus is securing the property after the incident. See: roof boarding in Ilford.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access, and the condition of the frames. A single window is usually quicker than a full shopfront or multiple openings. We’ll give a clearer idea once we understand the situation.

Will boarding damage my frames or brickwork?

We aim to minimise additional damage and use appropriate fixings for the surface. However, storm damage can leave substrates weak or wet, which limits “perfect” options. We’ll explain the safest fixing method available for your situation.

I’m in Ilford — do you cover my IG postcode?

Yes, we cover Ilford and IG1–IG11. If you’re unsure of your district, call with your location and we’ll confirm.

Related services and situations (for next steps)

If storm damage is part of a wider incident, these pages may help:

• emergency boarding up for urgent and out-of-hours help
• window boarding in Ilford for broken or vulnerable glazing
• door boarding in Ilford for damaged entrances and forced doors
• roof boarding in Ilford for rooflights and overhead openings
• accident damage boarding if impact caused the damage (vehicle/debris)

Helpful Links

• 24-hour emergency boarding up in Ilford
• window boarding in Ilford
• door boarding in Ilford
• roof boarding in Ilford
• insurance claims support
• faqs

Need help securing storm damage in Ilford?

If your property has been left exposed, we can help you secure property access points and make the site safe until repairs are arranged.

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