Flood Damage Boarding Up in Dartford (DA1–DA18)

Flooding is stressful—whether it’s a burst pipe in a flat, water ingress after heavy rain, or a ground-floor commercial unit taking on water. Once the immediate danger has passed, the next priority is usually security: damaged doors and windows can become easy access points, and swollen frames can stop openings from closing properly.

At Boarding Up Dartford, we provide flood damage boarding up in Dartford and across the DA postcodes (DA1–DA18). We’re fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians, and we’ll focus on one thing: making the property safe and secure while you arrange repairs and drying work.

Need urgent help? Call 01322 952 450 (or email info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk).

When flood damage boarding up is needed

Flood damage doesn’t always “look” like a break-in, but it often creates the same security problem: openings that no longer shut properly, glazing that’s cracked, or frames that have shifted.

You may need emergency boarding up or temporary securing if:

• A door won’t latch because the timber has swollen
• A window frame has warped, leaving gaps or weak points
• Water has damaged locks, hinges, or multipoint mechanisms
• The property is being dried out and needs to be left unattended
• A ground-floor opening is compromised and you need to secure the property overnight
• A commercial unit needs a shopfront boarded up to prevent opportunist entry

If you’re unsure, call and describe what’s happened. We’ll talk you through whether temporary boarding is the right approach, or whether another security method (like a temporary steel door or security screen) would be more suitable.

Urgent situation? Call 01322 952 450 for help with out of hours property securing across Dartford and DA postcodes.

First steps after a flood (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, a few practical steps can protect your claim and reduce further damage:

1. Ensure the immediate hazard is dealt with
   If water is still entering, isolate the supply (if applicable) and follow advice from emergency services or your building manager.

2. Take photos and short video
   Capture damaged doors/windows, water lines, and any obvious points of entry. Don’t put yourself at risk to get them.

3. Keep notes
   Write down dates/times, who attended (if anyone), and any reference numbers.

4. Call your insurer early
   We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for once we’ve made the property safe.

5. Avoid forcing swollen doors/windows
   Trying to “make it shut” can crack glazing or damage frames further. If you can’t secure it normally, that’s where we come in.

What we do: make-safe and securing after flood damage

Flood-related call-outs often involve tricky, changeable conditions. Timber expands, fixings loosen, and some materials become brittle once saturated. Our aim is to secure vulnerable openings without creating unnecessary extra damage.

Depending on what we find, we may use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable window and door boarding
• 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
• Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended or is in a higher-risk spot
• Non-destructive methods where possible—but if a frame is too damaged, we’ll explain the options before proceeding

Where flood damage has affected access (e.g., swollen door leaf, damaged frame, warped threshold), we’ll choose a solution that’s secure but still practical for follow-on contractors.

For the relevant solution pages, see:

• window boarding in Dartford
• door boarding in Dartford
• shopfront boarding in Dartford
• roof boarding in Dartford (if water ingress has compromised rooflights or skylights)

What to expect when you call us

When you ring after flood damage, you usually want clarity—what can be done today, what needs a longer repair, and what it will look like when we leave.

Our process is straightforward:

1. Quick assessment on the phone
   We’ll ask what’s been damaged (windows, doors, shopfront, rooflights), whether the building is occupied, and whether police/insurer involvement is ongoing. We don’t promise fixed arrival times—but we will give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

2. Attend, assess, and agree the plan
   On arrival we’ll check the condition of frames and surrounding structure. If something is too unsafe to work on immediately, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives.

3. Boarding up / temporary securing + documentation
   Once secured, we can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement for your records and insurance file.

Need to board up a broken window or door after flooding? Call 01322 952 450.

Common flood damage scenarios we see around Dartford and DA postcodes

Flooding issues vary depending on the building and location. Across the DA area, we regularly deal with:

• Ground-floor flats/maisonettes where doors swell and won’t lock properly
• Houses with timber frames where windows stick open or seals fail after saturation
• Commercial properties needing a shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent overnight entry
• Vacant or void properties where water damage is discovered late and the building needs to be secured before contractors attend

If you’re managing a void, you may also want to look at vacant property boarding up for longer-term options.

Temporary options vs longer-term security (what’s right after flooding?)

Flood damage often triggers a chain of works: drying, electrical checks, replacement joinery, glazing, and redecoration. The right security approach depends on how long the opening will be compromised.

Short-term (same day / immediate make safe)

• Boarding to vulnerable windows and doors
• Secure covering to prevent opportunist access
• Clear handover notes for follow-on trades

This is typically handled via emergency boarding up and the relevant service page (window/door/shopfront).

Medium-term (repairs may take days or weeks)

If the property will be left empty while it dries out—or if doors are beyond immediate repair—ask about stronger temporary solutions when you call.

We can discuss options alongside door boarding in Dartford and suitable methods for repeat access by trades.

Insurance and documentation: what you’ll receive

Many customers call us after speaking to their insurer (or because they know they need to protect the property before a claim progresses). While we can’t advise on policy cover, we can support your claim with clear documentation.

After the work, we can provide:

• Time-stamped photos of the damaged area and completed boarding
• Itemised invoice showing labour and materials
• Work statement describing what was done and why (make-safe/security)

For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

Important limitations (so you know what we do—and don’t do)

We’ll always be upfront.

• We secure the property. We don’t provide full flood remediation, drying, mould treatment, or restoration.
• If parts of the structure are unstable or unsafe, we may need you to arrange further assessment before full works proceed.
• We don’t quote guaranteed response times. Workload, access and conditions vary—but if you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent risks.

Flood damage doesn’t only affect windows—check doors, shopfronts and roof openings

After flooding, people often focus on visible water damage and miss secondary security risks:

• A door that “almost” closes can still be prised open
• A cracked pane can fail later as it dries and shifts
• A rooflight or skylight that’s been impacted by debris can leak and weaken quickly

If any of these apply, we’ll recommend the right service route:

• window boarding in Dartford
• door boarding in Dartford
• shopfront boarding in Dartford
• roof boarding in Dartford

FAQs: Flood damage boarding up in Dartford

Can you help tonight if my door won’t lock after flooding?

Yes—call us and we’ll advise on the best way to secure the property. If it’s urgent and the building can’t be left vulnerable, we can arrange out of hours attendance where possible. Call 01322 952 450.

Do you board up broken windows caused by water pressure or swelling?

We can board up a broken window or secure a window that’s become unsafe after flood damage. The exact method depends on the frame condition and the opening size.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after flood damage?

It depends on your policy. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the documentation insurers typically request (photos, itemised invoice, work statement). See insurance claims support.

What if the window frame is too water-damaged to fix into?

If the frame is too compromised for standard fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. In some cases we can use alternative fixing points; in others, you may need a joiner or builder to stabilise the opening first.

Can you secure commercial properties after flooding?

Yes. We regularly help shops and commercial units with shopfront boarded up requirements and temporary security while clean-up and repairs are arranged. See shopfront boarding in Dartford.

How long does temporary boarding stay in place?

It can stay as long as needed, but it’s intended as a temporary security measure until glazing/joinery repairs are completed. If you expect delays (e.g., materials lead times), tell us so we can advise on a more suitable approach.

Will boarding up stop rain getting in as well?

Boarding up primarily secures against access and impact. We’ll fit boards to reduce exposure where possible, but full weatherproofing depends on the opening and surrounding damage. If water ingress is ongoing, you may also need a roofer or building contractor.

Can landlords or managing agents arrange flood damage boarding up?

Yes. We work with landlords, managing agents and facilities teams across DA postcodes. We can provide paperwork suitable for your internal records and insurer files.

I’ve got a smashed window after flood-related debris—what should I do right now?

If it’s safe, move people away from broken glass, take a couple of photos for your records, and call us so we can arrange emergency boarding up. Call 01322 952 450.

Helpful links

• emergency boarding up
• window boarding in Dartford
• door boarding in Dartford
• shopfront boarding in Dartford
• insurance claims support
• FAQs

Need flood damage boarding up in Dartford?

If flood damage has left a window or door vulnerable, don’t wait for it to get worse—or for someone to notice the property is easy to access.

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