Storm Damage Boarding Up in Romford (RM) — Make Safe & Secure Your Property

Storm damage can feel overwhelming. One minute everything’s fine, the next you’re dealing with a smashed window, a door that won’t close, or rain getting in through a damaged roofline. If your property in Romford or anywhere across the RM postcodes has been hit by wind, flying debris, or water ingress, our job is to make safe, secure the opening, and help you protect the building until permanent repairs can be arranged.

Boarding Up Romford provides emergency boarding up in Romford and across RM1–RM50. We’ve been trading 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

Need urgent help? Call 01708 973 306 — if you can’t speak for long, tell us what’s happened and where you are, and we’ll talk you through the next steps.

When storm damage typically happens (and what to look for)

Storm issues aren’t always dramatic “tree-through-the-window” events. Often, the first sign is water getting in or a window that suddenly won’t latch properly after a night of high winds. We’re commonly called out for:

Smashed window panes from wind-blown debris (tiles, branches, loose items from gardens)
Cracked glass that’s still in the frame but unsafe and likely to fail
Damaged doors where locks, frames, or hinges have been forced out of alignment
Shopfront glazing damage (especially on exposed frontages and corners)
Roof or skylight openings where wind has displaced tiles or damaged rooflights
Secondary damage: loosened frames, failed seals, and gaps that let rain in

Even if the damage seems “small”, an unsecured opening can quickly become a bigger problem—more water damage, heat loss, and increased risk of opportunistic entry.

If you’re unsure whether it needs boarding, you can still call. We’ll give honest guidance on whether boarding is appropriate or whether there’s a safer alternative.

Urgent make-safe required? Call 01708 973 306

What to do straight away (before we arrive)

Your safety comes first. Storm damage can involve falling glass, unstable frames, and electrics affected by water.

Don’t touch cracked or hanging glass — it can collapse without warning.
Keep people away from the area (especially children and pets).
If water is entering near electrics, turn off power at the consumer unit if it’s safe to do so.
Take photos from a safe distance for your insurer (especially if you can capture the cause, like a fallen branch or displaced roof material).
Avoid temporary DIY fixes that can make it worse — tape and plastic sheets often fail in wind and can create hazards.

If you’re a tenant, notify your landlord or managing agent as soon as possible. If you’re a shop owner, consider whether you need to close the frontage to the public until it’s made safe.

Emergency storm damage boarding up in Romford: how we secure your property

Storm damage is rarely tidy. Frames can be swollen, glazing can be partially intact, and access can be awkward—particularly in flats above shops, rear extensions, or properties with limited parking. Our approach is practical and focused on secure, non-destructive fixing wherever possible.

Step 1: Risk check and “make safe”

On arrival, we assess what’s unsafe and what’s exposed:

Loose glass and sharp edges
Frame integrity (whether it will take fixings)
Wind and rain direction (to reduce water ingress)
Safe access routes (especially for rooflights or upper floors)

Where required, we’ll make safe first—reducing immediate hazards before we install boards or screens.

Step 2: Boarding method matched to the opening

We typically use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure boarding on larger or higher-risk openings
12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate and safe

Fixing method depends on the condition of the frame and the type of opening:

Anti-tamper fixings where external removal risk is high (important if the property will be unattended)
Internal baton and screw methods to avoid unnecessary damage to frames when possible
Careful placement to cover the full vulnerable area and reduce prying points

If the surrounding frame is too compromised for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding. The priority is always: secure first, then minimise further damage.

Step 3: Secure finish and handover

Once boarded, we check stability, edges, and access/egress requirements. For commercial sites, we’ll also consider how to keep the premises safe for staff and the public.

You’ll receive a clear summary of what was done and—if needed—guidance on next steps.

For specific solutions, you can read more about:

Common storm-damage scenarios we deal with (Romford & RM postcodes)

We cover residential, commercial, and managed properties across the RM area. Typical call-outs include:

Board up broken window after debris impact in high winds
Smashed window to a front room or bedroom creating an immediate security risk
Board up door after the frame twists and won’t lock properly
Shopfront boarded up when glazing is cracked or shattered overnight
Temporary boarding for an opening that can’t be glazed immediately
Out of hours make-safe after a storm hits late evening
Secure property while you wait for a glazier, roofer, or insurer approval
Emergency boarding up for vacant or vulnerable properties during bad weather

If you’re managing multiple sites, tell us up front—we can prioritise the most exposed openings first.

Storm damage on roofs and skylights: what’s different?

Roof openings are a different type of risk. They can lead to fast water ingress and internal damage, and access can be complex. We can secure damaged rooflights and vulnerable roof openings where boarding is appropriate and safe, and we’ll always be honest about limitations if conditions are dangerous.

Find out more about our approach to overhead openings here:
roof boarding in Romford

If you suspect structural damage, it may also require a specialist inspection—our role is to secure the property and reduce immediate exposure.

Doors that won’t lock after high winds (or swelling from water)

Storm conditions can cause doors to shift, swell, or fail at the lock point. If you can’t secure the property, boarding or a more robust temporary security solution may be needed.

Depending on the situation, we may recommend:

Standard door boarding in Romford for immediate closure
A temporary steel door where the opening needs medium-term security (for example, if the property will be unoccupied)

Tell us if it’s a main entrance, a rear door, or a shared access point—security needs differ.

Insurance and documentation: what we provide

After storm damage, insurers often want clear evidence of the condition and the steps taken to prevent further loss. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for.

Where requested, we provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damaged area and the secured result
Itemised invoices
A work statement describing the make-safe measures taken

For practical guidance on what to keep and how to approach the claim, see:
insurance claims support

Tip: keep any reference numbers from your insurer, and keep a record of who you spoke to and when.

How quickly can you attend?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible across Romford and the RM postcodes. We don’t promise fixed arrival times—storm conditions can increase demand and affect travel—but if you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need out of hours help tonight? Call 01708 973 306

Coverage: Romford and the RM postcode area

We cover Romford and the wider RM area, including RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7, RM8, RM9, RM10, RM11, RM12, RM13, RM14, RM15, RM16, RM17, RM18, RM19 and RM20 (and surrounding districts within the RM postcode range).

If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, call and we’ll confirm quickly.

You can also browse local pages here: areas we cover

FAQs: Storm damage boarding up (Romford & RM)

Do I need boarding if the glass is cracked but not broken?

Often yes. Cracked panes can fail suddenly in wind or with temperature changes. If the window is compromised, temporary boarding can prevent further damage and help you secure the property until a glazier attends.

Who can board up my window tonight in Romford?

If you need out of hours help, call us and explain what’s happened. We provide emergency boarding up across Romford and RM postcodes and will give you a realistic ETA over the phone.
Call now: 01708 973 306

What if rain is coming in through the opening?

We’ll focus on make safe and securing the opening to reduce water ingress. The exact method depends on the size and location of the damage. If additional weatherproofing is possible without creating hazards, we’ll discuss it on site.

Is storm damage boarding up covered by insurance?

Many policies cover storm-related damage and may include emergency make-safe measures, but cover varies. Keep photos, document what happened, and contact your insurer early. We can provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice for your claim. See insurance claims support.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number of openings, access (ground floor vs upper floor), and the condition of the frames. A straightforward board up broken window is usually quicker than a damaged shopfront or rooflight. If you call, we can give a rough expectation based on your description.

Can you board up a shopfront after storm damage?

Yes. If your commercial glazing is damaged, we can get the shopfront boarded up to secure the premises and reduce risk to staff and the public. Learn more: shopfront boarding in Romford.

Will boarding damage my window frames?

We aim to use methods that are secure while minimising additional damage. Where non-destructive fixing is possible, we’ll use it. If the frame is already too damaged to take safe fixings, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

I’m a landlord/managing agent—can you secure a vacant property after storm damage?

Yes. Vacant properties are often at higher risk after a storm because damage may not be noticed quickly. We can secure openings and discuss longer-term options if needed. See vacant property boarding.

Do you cover my part of the RM area?

We cover Romford and surrounding RM districts. If you tell us your postcode and what’s happened, we’ll confirm coverage and advise the next steps.

Next steps: get the property secured

If you’re dealing with storm damage, the priority is simple: secure the opening, reduce risk, and document the work so you can move forward with repairs and insurance.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]

Request a Call-Back Today