Flood Damage Boarding Up in Stevenage (SG1–SG19)

Flooding is stressful, messy and time-critical. Whether it’s a burst pipe, rising groundwater, or surface water after heavy rain, flood damage can leave doors and windows swollen, frames distorted, glazing cracked, and properties insecure.

If you need emergency boarding up in Stevenage, we can help you make safe and secure the property so you can focus on drying out, safety checks and insurance. For urgent help—especially out of hours—call 01438 594 023.

We cover Stevenage and the wider SG area (SG1–SG19), with DBS-checked technicians and a fully insured service. We don’t promise fixed arrival times (conditions and workload vary), but when you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise situations where a building has been left open, exposed, or vulnerable.

When flood damage leads to boarding up

Flooding doesn’t always smash glass like a break-in might—but it can still make a building unsafe or easy to enter. We’re usually called when water has caused movement, warping, or failure in the parts of the building that keep it secure.

Common scenarios we see across Stevenage and the SG postcodes include:

• Burst pipes or tank failures that saturate timber frames and cause doors to stick open or not latch
• Ground-floor flooding where uPVC or timber doors swell and pull away from the frame
• Water pressure and debris cracking or dislodging panes (especially older or already-stressed glazing)
• Basement/low-level water ingress leaving rear access points compromised once water recedes
• Post-flood break-ins or attempted entry when a property is visibly damaged or unoccupied
• Vacant properties where flooding goes unnoticed and openings fail before anyone can arrange repairs

If you’ve got a smashed window, a door that won’t lock, or a compromised shopfront after floodwater, it’s often safer to arrange temporary boarding quickly rather than “wait and see” overnight.

Need to board up a broken window or board up a door after flooding? Call 01438 594 023 and we’ll talk you through the safest next step.

First: safety checks before anyone boards up

Floodwater can hide hazards. Before we start any boarding-up work, we’ll ask a few practical questions and, on arrival, assess the immediate risks. Depending on what’s happened, you may need other trades or the relevant authority first.

Typical hazards after flooding include:

• Electrics (water around sockets, consumer units, or extension leads)
• Structural movement (softened plaster, swollen door frames, loosened fixings)
• Contamination (especially if water came from drains or overflow)
• Slips and unstable surfaces (wet tiles, saturated carpets, damaged thresholds)

If the area isn’t safe to work in, we’ll tell you plainly. We can still help you plan the next steps and return once it’s safe to secure the opening.

How we secure flood-damaged properties (what we actually do)

Flood damage often creates awkward, non-standard problems: frames swell, timber splits, hinges shift, and fixings don’t bite like they normally would. Our job is to secure property quickly while avoiding unnecessary extra damage.

1) We assess the openings and the condition of the frame

We check whether the issue is:

• a broken pane that needs boarding immediately
• a door that won’t close due to swelling
• a frame that’s shifted and can’t be secured with normal non-destructive methods
• a shopfront or large glazed area needing stronger coverage

Where possible, we’ll use fixing methods that are appropriate to the material (timber, uPVC, composite) and the condition (wet, soft, distorted).

2) We choose the right boarding material (plywood vs OSB)

We typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger, more durable security—especially where a property will be unattended
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings or lower-risk situations where a fast, tidy make-safe is needed

The goal is to stop access, reduce weather exposure, and create a stable temporary barrier while drying and repairs are arranged.

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, we’ll aim to measure accurately, cover fully, and fix securely so there are no easy edges to prise up.

3) We fix using anti-tamper methods where appropriate

Where the property is vacant, on a visible frontage, or has already been targeted, we’ll often recommend anti-tamper fixings. These help prevent boards being removed from outside—important when you can’t stay on site.

If the surrounding frame is too water-damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding (including alternatives such as a temporary steel door for a compromised entrance).

4) We “make safe” and leave you with what insurers and agents usually need

After we’ve boarded up, you can expect clear documentation such as:

• time-stamped photos of the secured openings (when possible)
• an itemised invoice
• a brief work statement describing what was done and materials used

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the kind of evidence insurers commonly ask for when you’re making a claim.

Door problems after flooding: boarding vs temporary steel doors

A common post-flood issue is a door that won’t lock because the frame has swollen or shifted. In those situations, simple boarding may be the safest immediate option—but not always the most practical if you need regular access.

We’ll talk you through the trade-offs:

• Board up door: fast and secure, but reduces access (best for vacant or unsafe properties)
• Temporary steel door: better for medium-term security if the original door/frame is compromised and you need controlled entry for drying equipment, surveys, or repairs

If you’re not sure what you need, call 01438 594 023 and we’ll recommend the most sensible “make safe” option based on the condition of the entrance.

For more detail on methods, see door boarding in Stevenage.

Windows and glazing after floodwater: why fast boarding matters

Flooding can crack glazing through pressure changes, debris impact, or frame movement. Even a small break can quickly turn into a bigger failure if the frame dries unevenly or flexes.

If you’ve got a board up broken window situation, temporary boarding helps:

• prevent unauthorised entry
• reduce further rainwater penetration
• protect the interior while drying and dehumidifiers are running
• keep the property safer if it must be left unattended overnight

Learn more about our approach at window boarding in Stevenage.

Flooded shops and commercial premises: securing large openings

If your premises has taken on water, the immediate priority is often safety and business continuity. A damaged glazed frontage or a door that can’t be secured may force you to close until the opening is made safe.

We can help with shopfront boarded up requirements, including larger boards, stronger fixings, and practical considerations like keeping emergency exits clear where possible (subject to the site layout and safety constraints).

See shopfront boarding in Stevenage if you need a commercial solution.

A typical flood-damage call-out in Stevenage (what it can look like)

A typical call-out might involve a ground-floor flat or small commercial unit in the SG area where water has entered overnight. By the morning, the front door may no longer latch and a side window could be cracked from frame movement.

In that situation we would usually:

1. Confirm the property is safe to access (especially electrics)
2. Inspect the damaged openings and check which ones are actually insecure
3. Measure and fit temporary boarding to the affected window using suitable board thickness
4. Secure the entrance—either by boarding or discussing a temporary door option if regular access is needed
5. Take photos and provide an invoice and work summary for your records/insurer

If the frame is too soft or distorted to hold fixings reliably, we’ll explain that before doing anything that could worsen the damage.

What to do right now after flood damage (practical steps)

If you’re dealing with flooding in Stevenage or the wider SG area, these steps can help you stay safe and protect your claim.

1. Make sure everyone is safe first
   If there’s any risk around electrics or structural damage, keep out and contact the relevant emergency service or utility provider.

2. If a window or door is insecure, arrange emergency boarding up
   Don’t leave obvious openings overnight. If you need to secure property urgently, call 01438 594 023.

3. Take photos if it’s safe
   Capture the waterline, affected rooms, and any damaged doors/windows. This can help later with your insurer.

4. Keep notes and references
   If you’ve spoken to building management, the local authority, or emergency services, keep the reference numbers and times.

5. Speak to your insurer early
   You may be asked to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss. Boarding up and making safe often falls under that category, but cover varies by policy.

If you want guidance on what documentation tends to help, see our insurance claims help page.

Why choose us to secure your property after a flood?

You don’t need a sales pitch when your property is wet, vulnerable, and you’re juggling multiple phone calls. Here’s what we focus on:

• Practical, secure fixes using appropriate board thickness and fixings
• Clear communication—we’ll tell you what’s doable and what isn’t
• Documentation (photos/invoice/work statement) for your records
• Local coverage across SG1–SG19, including Stevenage and surrounding towns/villages
• 10+ years trading, fully insured, DBS-checked technicians

If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary, call us and describe what’s happened—we’ll give you straightforward advice.

FAQs: flood damage boarding up in Stevenage & SG postcodes

Do I need boarding up if the water has gone down?

Often, yes—if a door won’t lock, a frame has shifted, or glazing has cracked. Flood damage can leave openings insecure even after water recedes. If you’re in Stevenage or nearby SG areas and you’re unsure, call 01438 594 023 and we’ll advise.

Can you board up a window that’s cracked but not fully broken?

Yes. A cracked pane can fail suddenly, particularly if the frame is swollen or drying unevenly. If there’s a risk of collapse or easy access, it’s usually better to board it as a precaution.

What if my door won’t close because it has swollen?

That’s a common post-flood issue. We can often board up door openings to secure the property quickly. If you need ongoing access for drying and repairs, we can discuss alternatives such as improved temporary security measures.

Do you cover out of hours call-outs in the SG area?

Yes—if you need out of hours help, call and we’ll tell you the realistic options and ETA at the time. We prioritise urgent “open to the elements/open to entry” situations.

Will boarding up stop further flood damage?

Boarding up is primarily about security and immediate protection from weather and entry. It won’t stop flooding from reoccurring or resolve drainage issues. Once the building is secure, you’ll still need drying, repairs, and (where relevant) investigations into the cause.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after flooding?

It depends on your policy and the cause of the flooding. Many policies cover emergency “make safe” work, but not always. We can provide an itemised invoice and supporting photos to help your claim—see insurance claims help.

Can you secure a commercial unit after flood damage?

Yes. If your frontage, doors, or glazing are compromised, we can provide shopfront boarded up solutions and temporary security to reduce the risk of theft or further damage while your business arranges repairs.

I’m in SG1/SG2—can you attend even if I’m not on site?

Usually, yes, provided we can legally access the property and you can authorise the work (e.g., landlord, managing agent, or business owner). We’ll confirm access arrangements and explain what documentation we’ll provide afterwards.

Need help now?

If flooding has left your property open, unsafe or easy to enter, we can help you make safe with emergency boarding up.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance. If it’s not urgent, you can also email us with photos and the SG postcode and we’ll get back to you.