Flood Damage Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN) — Secure Your Property After a Leak or Flood
Flood damage is stressful, messy, and time-sensitive. If you’ve had a burst pipe, rising water, or water ingress through doors and windows, you may be left with damaged frames, doors that won’t close properly, or windows that no longer lock. That’s when flood damage boarding in Tonbridge becomes less about “boarding up” and more about making the property safe, secure, and weather-protected until drying and repairs can begin.
If you need urgent help, we can attend across Tonbridge and the wider TN area (TN1–TN40). We’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk
When flood damage boarding up is needed
Flooding doesn’t always look dramatic. Many call-outs are caused by internal leaks that quietly destroy the strength of timber frames and doors. You may need temporary boarding or other security measures when:
- A door has swollen and won’t shut or lock properly
- A window frame is soft, rotten, cracked, or pulling away after saturation
- Glazing has broken due to pressure, impact, or movement in the frame
- Your property is being left unattended during drying, strip-out, or repair works
- The ground floor is compromised and you need to secure property access points quickly
- The property is vacant between tenancies and you need a robust “make safe” solution
Flood and leak damage can also expose properties to opportunistic entry—especially if doors are left ajar for ventilation, or if windows are stuck open.
If you’re dealing with this right now: we prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, because conditions and workload vary, but we will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
Out of hours make safe needed? Call 01732 900 178
What to do first after flood damage (practical steps)
If it’s safe to do so, these steps help protect people and make the make-safe easier:
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Keep people safe first
If you suspect electrics are affected, avoid standing water and contact an electrician or emergency services where appropriate. -
Stop the source if you can
Turn off the water at the stopcock for burst pipes, or isolate appliances if it’s safe. -
Document the damage
Take a few photos/video before items are moved—especially around doors, windows, and any forced entry points. These can help with insurance. -
Call your insurer early
You don’t need all the details to start a claim. Keep your claim number handy. -
Call us to make the property secure
If you’ve got a door that won’t lock, a vulnerable opening, or a broken/smashed window, we can attend to make safe and reduce further risk.
For a broader overview of what boarding up involves, see: what boarding up is and when it’s used.
How we secure a property after flood damage (what we actually do)
Flood damage makes standard “quick fixes” unreliable. Water changes materials—timber swells, fixings lose bite, and frames can deform. Our job is to secure the opening without creating unnecessary damage, and to do it in a way that supports the next stage of repairs.
1) We assess the opening and the substrate (not just the glass/door)
On arrival we look at:
- Whether the frame is solid enough to take fixings
- Whether the door/window has dropped, warped, or separated
- If the surrounding masonry is sound
- Any risk points (easy access from the rear, low visibility areas, shared entrances, etc.)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
2) We choose the right material: plywood or OSB (and why)
Common materials include:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger, more secure coverage—often used for larger openings or higher risk locations
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings and short-term protection where appropriate
We cut boards to suit the opening and install them using methods that prioritise security and safety. Where required, we use anti-tamper fixings because they reduce the chance of removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended.
If you specifically need a broken window secured, see: window boarding in Tonbridge.
3) We secure doors that won’t lock (including stronger temporary options)
After flooding, doors can swell and jam, or the locking edge no longer lines up. Depending on the situation, we may:
- Board and brace a damaged door/opening for immediate security
- Recommend a more robust solution for medium-term protection
If the main entrance can’t be relied on, a temporary steel door can be a practical option for vacant or high-risk properties (availability depends on the site and what’s been damaged). The key is making sure you can secure the building properly while remedial works are underway.
Related service: door boarding in Tonbridge
4) We plan for ventilation and follow-on works
After flood damage, drying is often ongoing. Boarding up shouldn’t get in the way of surveyors, dehumidifiers, strip-out teams, or glaziers.
Where possible, we’ll:
- Discuss access needs (keys, managed access, contractor schedules)
- Avoid blocking routes that will be needed for drying and repairs
- Make the site safe without creating additional hazards
Important note: We secure the property. We don’t provide flood remediation, drying, mould treatment, or building reinstatement—but we work in a way that supports those trades.
Common flood-damage call-outs we get in Tonbridge and the TN area
Every property is different, but these are frequent reasons people call for emergency boarding up after water damage:
- Patio or back doors that no longer lock after saturation
- Ground floor windows that won’t close due to swollen timber
- Breakage during clean-up (accidental impact to glazing)
- Flooded flats where the communal entrance is secure, but the flat’s own door/frame is not
- Vacant properties where water ingress has left openings vulnerable
If you’re not sure whether it’s a “board up” job or a door/security issue, call anyway—we’ll talk it through and advise what’s realistic.
Need to secure property tonight or out of hours? Call 01732 900 178
What happens when you call (3-step process)
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Call and explain what’s happened
Tell us what’s damaged (door, window, shopfront, roof/skylight) and whether the property is occupied. If you have it, share your postcode and any access notes. -
We give a realistic ETA and talk through options
We don’t quote fixed arrival times, but we will prioritise urgent calls and give you an honest idea of attendance based on current workload. -
We attend, make safe, and document the work
Once the property is secure, we can provide the paperwork and photos you may need for your insurer or managing agent.
Make-safe documentation for insurance (what you receive)
Flood claims can involve multiple contractors. Clear documentation helps you show what was necessary and when it was done. We can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
- An itemised invoice
- A simple work statement describing the make-safe measures used
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can supply the documentation insurers typically request.
More guidance here: insurance claims support
Related services that may be needed after flood damage
Flooding can affect more than just one opening. Depending on what’s been compromised, you may also need:
- window boarding in Tonbridge for broken or insecure glazing
- door boarding in Tonbridge when doors won’t lock or frames are damaged
- roof boarding in Tonbridge if water ingress has come via skylights or roof openings
- shopfront boarding in Tonbridge for commercial premises needing urgent make safe
If the damage was caused by an impact (for example, debris or a vehicle strike during severe weather), see: accident damage boarding up
Coverage across Tonbridge and TN postcodes
We’re based locally and cover Tonbridge and the TN postcode area (TN1–TN40), including a wide range of towns and villages. If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, call and we’ll confirm.
You can also browse areas we cover or visit the local page for Tonbridge: boarding up in Tonbridge TN9
FAQs — Flood damage boarding up in Tonbridge
How quickly can you secure my property after a flood?
It depends on time of day and current demand. We prioritise urgent jobs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone. If it’s out of hours, call anyway—making the property safe can’t always wait.
Can you board up a door that won’t close because it’s swollen?
Yes. Flooding often swells doors and frames so locks don’t align. We can secure the opening and discuss the most appropriate short-term solution, including stronger options where needed.
Will boarding up make the damp worse?
Boarding up can reduce ventilation, which is why we think carefully about how the site is being managed (drying equipment, contractor access, temporary security). Our aim is to secure the property without making follow-on drying harder than it needs to be.
Do you board up smashed windows caused during clean-up?
Yes. Accidental breakage is common during clear-outs and strip-out work. If you’ve got a smashed window or a pane that’s no longer secure, we can board up broken window openings and help keep the property safe.
Is flood damage boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it can be, but policies vary. We can provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. For practical guidance, see insurance claims support.
Can you help if the property is a rental or managed building?
Yes. We regularly help landlords, tenants, and managing agents with temporary boarding and make-safe measures. If access needs coordinating (keys, entry systems), tell us when you call.
What if the frame is too rotten or damaged to fix boards safely?
If the frame won’t take fixings securely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The priority is a safe, secure result—sometimes that means adapting the fixing method or using an alternative security approach.
Do you offer 24/7 boarding up for flood-related damage?
If you need out of hours help to secure property after flood damage, call us. We handle urgent make-safe work where openings are vulnerable and the building can’t be left as-is.
I’m in the TN area but not in Tonbridge—can you still attend?
Yes—our coverage spans TN1–TN40. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm availability and likely attendance.
Next steps: secure the property and reduce further risk
Flood damage can leave a building exposed in ways that aren’t obvious until night-time or the next rainfall. If a door won’t lock or a window is insecure, it’s worth getting it made safe properly.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or send details/photos to info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk
