Roof Boarding in Dartford (DA) – Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding

When a roof is damaged, it rarely stays “just a hole” for long. Wind-driven rain, loose tiles, broken skylights and exposed roof felt can quickly lead to water ingress, further structural issues, and a property that’s no longer secure.

If you need roof boarding in Dartford or anywhere across the DA postcode area (DA1–DA18), we can attend to make safe the opening and stabilise the situation with temporary boarding and weather protection where appropriate. For urgent help, call Call 01322 952 450.

Need emergency roof boarding now?

Roof damage often happens out of hours—after a storm, an accident, or following a break-in through a rooflight. We prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

For emergency roof boarding up in Dartford (DA):

• Call: Call 01322 952 450
• Email: info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk

If you’re dealing with a wider incident (break-in, storm, fire), you may also want:

• emergency boarding up
• storm damage boarding
• accident damage make-safe

What roof boarding actually is (and when you need it)

Roof boarding is the process of temporarily covering an exposed or vulnerable roof opening—commonly a skylight, rooflight, damaged decking area, or a hole caused by impact—using sheet materials and secure fixings. The aim is to:

• Stop rainwater getting in (or reduce ingress until permanent repairs)
• Prevent further damage from wind uplift and debris entry
• Secure the property if the opening could be used for access
• Create time for a roofer, glazier, or insurer’s contractor to complete the permanent works

Typical reasons customers call us for roof boarding in Dartford and the DA area:

• Storm damage: missing tiles, lifted flashings, damaged roof felt
• Broken skylights/rooflights (often from debris impact)
• Vandalism: thrown objects damaging roof glazing
• Fire damage: compromised roof sections after the incident (we secure; we don’t remediate)
• Accidents: a fall or impact causing a hole in the roof structure

If the roof is actively leaking, or there are loose materials at height, it becomes a safety issue as well as a property issue—so acting quickly matters.

Emergency-first: what we do on arrival (make-safe approach)

Roof work is different to boarding a ground-floor window. The priority is safety, then stability, then weather protection and security.

On arrival, we’ll typically:

1. Assess access and risk

   • Safe access points, fragile surfaces, and whether the opening is near an edge
   • Whether the surrounding structure is sound enough to fix to
   • If there are signs of electrical risk (e.g., water tracking inside near lighting)

2. Stabilise the opening

   • Remove or secure loose, dangerous fragments if it’s safe and within scope
   • Identify strong fixing points (rafters, joists, roof framing members)

3. Board/cover and secure

   • Fit boarding sized to the opening (often larger than the visible damage for proper fixing)
   • Use appropriate fixings to resist wind uplift and tampering where relevant
   • Provide documentation for insurance or property management records

If the surrounding roof structure is too damaged for a straightforward board to be safely fixed, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. Sometimes the safest route is a limited make-safe and urgent referral to a roofer for structural stabilisation.

Materials we use (and why)

We choose materials based on opening size, exposure, fixing points, and expected duration.

Plywood vs OSB: what’s the difference?

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood is our go-to for many roof openings because it’s strong, stable, and holds fixings well—important when wind uplift is a concern.
• 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk situations, depending on access and the substrate. It’s cost-effective and strong, but we’ll avoid under-specifying where uplift risk is high.

Fixings and security

Roof boarding needs to stay put in bad weather. We commonly use:

• Structural screws and fixings suited to timber members
• Anti-tamper fixings where the opening could be accessed from outside (important for vacant properties or flat roofs that are reachable)

Weatherproofing expectations (honest answer)

Boarding is temporary and primarily a make-safe measure. Depending on conditions and roof type, we may use additional layers to improve rain resistance, but:

• We cannot guarantee a fully watertight seal in every roof scenario (especially with irregular damage or ongoing storms).
• The goal is to reduce ingress and protect the interior until permanent repairs are completed.

If you need longer-term securing for an empty building, we can discuss options like steel security screens and temporary steel doors for vulnerable entry points at ground level (roof openings are assessed case-by-case for longer-term solutions). See vacant property boarding in Dartford.

Common roof and skylight boarding situations we handle

Broken rooflights and skylights

A shattered skylight is one of the most common calls—especially after storms or accidental impacts. We can cover the opening to:

• prevent rain entry
• stop further cracking and falling debris
• secure access if the roof is reachable

If the skylight frame is badly distorted, we’ll adapt the fixing method so the board is anchored to solid structure, not just damaged trim.

Flat roof damage and vulnerable access points

Flat roofs can be more accessible than pitched roofs, which increases the risk of a break-in through a roof opening. In these cases, boarding is also about security, not just weather.

If you’ve had a break-in, see burglary repairs and boarding.

Fire-damaged roofs (post-incident)

After a fire, roofs and roof voids can be compromised. Our role is to secure the property after the emergency services have finished—boarding exposed areas where safe and practical.

We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or fire restoration, but we can help you stabilise and secure the building. Read more at fire damage boarding.

Residential and commercial roof boarding in Dartford

We carry out roof boarding for:

• Homes (terraces, semis, detached properties, flats/maisonettes)
• Shops and mixed-use buildings (often with flats above)
• Offices and light industrial units
• Void properties between tenancies or during probate/refurb

Commercial sites may require a bit more coordination—access arrangements, out-of-hours contact, and documentation. If you manage premises, you may also find our commercial boarding up services helpful.

What you get for insurance and property records

After an emergency, it’s common to need paperwork quickly—whether that’s for your insurer, landlord, housing team, or facilities manager.

We can provide:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding work
• Itemised invoice (clear scope and materials)
• Work statement describing how the property was made safe

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for. See: insurance claims support.

What to do before we arrive (safe, practical steps)

If you’ve got roof damage tonight or during severe weather:

• If there’s immediate danger (loose materials, collapse risk), keep clear and call emergency services if required.
• Move valuables away from the leak path if it’s safe.
• Put down buckets/towels to limit internal water damage.
• Take a few photos for your insurer only if safe to do so.
• If the incident involves a crime, keep your police reference number handy.

Then call us: Call 01322 952 450.

Areas we cover (DA1–DA18)

We provide roof boarding and emergency boarding up across Dartford and the wider DA postcode area, including DA1, DA2, DA3, DA4, DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA9, DA10, DA11, DA12, DA13, DA14, DA15, DA16, DA17 and DA18.

For local pages, see areas we cover or start with boarding up in Dartford DA1.

FAQs – Roof Boarding in Dartford

How quickly can you attend for emergency roof boarding?

We don’t quote fixed arrival times—workload, traffic, weather and access all affect attendance. We prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you phone. For urgent help, call 01322 952 450.

Can you board up a smashed skylight tonight (out of hours)?

Yes, we can often help out of hours where safe access is possible. A smashed skylight can quickly become a major leak, so we treat it as a make-safe priority.

Will roof boarding stop the leak completely?

Sometimes it significantly reduces or stops ingress, but roof damage is variable. Boarding is a temporary measure and we can’t guarantee a perfect seal in every situation—particularly in heavy wind-driven rain. Our focus is to make safe and protect the property until permanent repairs are completed.

Do you repair the roof permanently as well?

We specialise in boarding up and property securing. We can stabilise and cover the opening, but permanent roof repairs (tiles, structure, membranes) usually need a roofer. If the frame or structure is too damaged for safe boarding, we’ll explain what’s possible before starting.

What materials do you use for roof boarding?

Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability, and 12mm OSB for suitable smaller openings. We match materials and fixings to the risk (wind uplift, access, and how long it needs to remain in place).

Can you secure a roof opening if the property is vacant?

Yes—security matters even more in empty buildings. We’ll assess the risk of access via flat roofs or extensions and use appropriate fixings (including anti-tamper where relevant). For broader protection, see vacant property boarding in Dartford.

Is roof boarding covered by insurance?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and cause (storm, impact, burglary, etc.). We can provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. More guidance: insurance claims support.

Can you board up other entry points at the same time?

Yes. If a roof incident also involved broken windows or forced doors, we can usually deal with those in the same visit where practical. Relevant services include window boarding in Dartford and door boarding in Dartford.

Related services (often requested alongside roof boarding)

• window boarding in Dartford for broken or vulnerable glazing
• door boarding in Dartford for forced entries and damaged frames
• shopfront boarding in Dartford for commercial glazing incidents
• emergency boarding up for urgent call-outs

Helpful Links

• 24-hour emergency boarding up in Dartford
• Insurance claims support
• Pricing (how costs are worked out)
• What is boarding up?
• FAQs
• Contact us

Ready to secure your roof?

Roof damage is stressful—especially when it’s raining or the property is left exposed overnight. We’ll talk you through the options, attend as soon as we can, and leave you with clear documentation for your next steps.

Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk