Flood damage boarding up in North West London (NW1–NW26)
Flooding is stressful — and it rarely arrives at a convenient time. Whether it’s a burst pipe in a converted flat, a leak from an upstairs neighbour, or surface water coming in during heavy rain, flood damage can quickly leave doors and windows swollen, frames distorted, and ground-floor access points insecure.
We provide flood damage boarding up in North West London across NW1–NW26. Our job is straightforward: secure the building, reduce the risk of further loss, and help you regain control with clear documentation you can use for insurers or managing agents.
If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page and call: Call 020 4634 7794.
When flood damage boarding is needed (and when it isn’t)
Flood damage doesn’t always mean “board everything up”. In many cases, the structure is intact and the priority is drying, electrics, and making the space safe. Boarding up becomes important when flooding has compromised security or weatherproofing, including:
- Swollen timber doors that won’t shut, latch, or lock properly
- uPVC doors or frames that have shifted so the multi-point lock doesn’t engage
- Water-damaged window frames where the sash/hinge won’t secure closed
- Cracked glazing from impact during the incident or from frame movement
- Low-level air bricks or openings temporarily left exposed after cleanup works
- Vacant or temporarily unoccupied properties while drying equipment runs
We’ll also advise honestly if boarding up could make things worse. For example, if a room needs ventilation for drying, we may recommend a more targeted, secure solution rather than sealing every opening airtight.
For an overview of what boarding up involves, see what boarding up is and when it’s used.
Common causes of flood damage in North West London
In NW postcodes, we’re often called out for flooding caused by day-to-day building issues rather than “big river” events. Typical scenarios include:
- Burst pipes in older conversions (especially where pipework runs through voids or poorly insulated cupboards)
- Overflowing baths/sinks in upstairs flats affecting ground-floor entrances and windows
- Blocked gutters and downpipes, leading to water tracking down walls and into frames
- Flat roof and valley gutter leaks on extensions, bay windows, and dormers
- Surface water entering basements and lower ground floors during intense rainfall
Property styles across North West London — from Victorian terraces and mansion blocks to 1930s semis and newer developments — all have different weak points. The key is securing what’s been compromised without creating new problems for the drying and repair teams.
What to do first (before we arrive)
If you’re dealing with flood damage, these steps help protect people and reduce further damage. Only do what’s safe.
- If there’s any risk to electrics, don’t touch switches — contact your electrician/DNO or building manager.
- Stop the source where possible (turn off the stopcock, isolate an appliance, speak to upstairs neighbours).
- Take photos/videos of damage and entry points if it’s safe — before anything is moved.
- Notify your insurer/agent early and keep a note of claim reference numbers.
- Avoid forcing swollen doors: it can split frames and turn a “sticking door” into a full replacement job.
We’re not loss adjusters and we don’t handle drying or mould remediation — our role is to secure the property after flood damage and help you document what was needed.
How we secure a property after flood damage
Our approach depends on what’s failed: the lock/door, the frame, the glazing, or the surrounding structure. We’ll talk you through the options before we start, especially if water damage has made fixings unpredictable.
1) Initial assessment: security, safety, and access
On arrival we’ll look at:
- Which openings are no longer secure (front/rear doors, basement entrances, vulnerable windows)
- Whether frames are too soft or blown to accept fixings safely
- Any signs of movement or impact damage that changes how we board
- Practical access issues (communal entrances, narrow side returns, basement steps)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options and the likely implications before proceeding.
2) Window boarding (when frames or glazing are compromised)
Floodwater can cause timber to expand and distort, and it can also shift beading and seals on some window systems. Where windows won’t close or have cracked panes, we can install boarding using:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security on larger openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk areas where appropriate
We use anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside — particularly important if the property will be unattended. When needed, we’ll build out with battens to avoid fixing into saturated or crumbling sections.
Service details: window boarding in North West London
3) Door boarding and temporary secure access
With flood damage, doors are often the biggest headache because you still need safe entry for drying teams, electricians, plumbers, and insurers.
Depending on the situation, we can:
- Board and brace damaged doors that no longer lock
- Secure a doorway where the door has been removed or has failed
- Fit a temporary steel door where medium-term secure access is required (common for empty properties or where repairs will take weeks)
If you’re a landlord or managing agent, we can help you keep access controlled while the building dries and remedial works are arranged.
Service details: door boarding in North West London
4) Roof openings and skylights after water ingress
Not all “flood” calls are ground-level. Water ingress from above can saturate ceilings, blow plaster, and leave rooflights/skylights vulnerable — especially if panels crack or fixings fail.
Where safe access is available, we can board or protect overhead openings to reduce further water entry and keep the building secure.
Service details: roof boarding in North West London
5) Commercial sites: shopfronts and ground-floor glazing
For retail premises, flooding can mean doors won’t close, electric shutters are offline, or glazed frontages become insecure during cleanup. We board shopfront glazing and access doors to help prevent opportunistic break-ins while you deal with stock, electrics, and cleaning.
Service details: shopfront boarding in North West London
Materials and methods (and why they matter after flooding)
Flood-affected joinery and masonry can be weaker than it looks. That’s why we choose methods that balance security with minimising further damage.
Common choices include:
- Exterior-grade plywood for strength and better resistance to damp conditions
- OSB where suitable for size/temporary coverage
- Anti-tamper fixings to make removal from outside significantly harder
- Non-destructive fixing where possible, especially on listed-style features or decorative frames
- Controlled ventilation considerations: we’ll discuss whether fully sealing an opening is appropriate when drying is ongoing
If you’re unsure what you need, start with the event: our team can advise whether boarding up services in North West London are appropriate, or whether a different step should come first.
What you get from us (useful for insurers and agents)
After securing your property, you can expect practical paperwork and evidence, typically including:
- Time-stamped photos of the damaged openings and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice describing labour and materials used
- A clear statement of work (what we secured and why)
If you’re making a claim, our insurance claims guidance explains the kind of documentation insurers usually ask for (we’ll support with evidence, but we’re not claim handlers).
Flood damage in flats, basements, and conversions: common access issues
North West London has a lot of converted Victorian houses, mansion blocks, and properties with lower ground floors. Flooding in these settings can create tricky access and security challenges:
- Communal entrances where you can’t block shared routes
- Basement doors and windows at pavement level that become vulnerable once frames swell
- Managing keys and access for multiple contractors and residents
We’ll work with you, the managing agent, or the freeholder to secure only what’s necessary and keep the building functional.
For property-specific guidance, see:
Micro case study: securing a flooded ground-floor flat in NW
A ground-floor flat in North West London suffered water ingress overnight from a burst pipe in the flat above. By morning, the timber front door had swollen and wouldn’t engage the lock, and a rear kitchen window frame had shifted slightly, leaving it unable to close properly.
We attended to secure the vulnerable openings: the rear window was boarded using exterior-grade sheet with anti-tamper fixings, and the front entrance was made safe and secure so drying equipment could be brought in and contractors could access the flat. We provided time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice for the managing agent to pass to the insurer.
FAQs about flood damage boarding up (North West London)
Is boarding up covered by insurance after flood damage?
Often it can be, especially where boarding is necessary to prevent further loss or secure the property. Cover varies by policy and circumstances. Keep photos and any reference numbers, and review our insurance claims guidance for what insurers commonly request.
How long does boarding up take after flood damage?
It depends on how many openings are affected and whether frames are too waterlogged for straightforward fixing. We’ll explain the plan on site. If you need urgent help outside normal hours, use emergency boarding up.
Can you board up a door that’s swollen and won’t close?
Yes — in many cases we can secure the doorway or the door itself, and where appropriate we can discuss a temporary steel door option for medium-term security. See door boarding for typical approaches.
Will boarding up stop the property from drying out?
It can, if everything is sealed with no thought to ventilation. We’ll talk through the drying plan (dehumidifiers, airflow requirements) and aim to secure the property without trapping moisture unnecessarily.
Do you handle drying, mould removal, or full repairs?
We focus on securing the property: boarding, temporary security, and practical documentation. Drying and remediation are usually handled by specialist restoration teams or your insurer’s contractors. If another trade is needed first for safety reasons, we’ll tell you.
Next steps: secure the building, then plan repairs
Flooding can leave a property exposed at exactly the time it’s most vulnerable — doors won’t lock, windows won’t shut, and the building may be temporarily unoccupied while it dries. We help you secure the site properly so you can move forward with repairs and insurance.
- For urgent help: emergency boarding up
- For understanding options and costs: pricing information (no fixed prices — we explain what affects the quote)
- For questions: FAQs or contact us
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7794 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
