Flood Damage Boarding Up and Make-Safe in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

When flood damage hits your home or business in Crawley, the priority is to make the property safe and secure, keep the weather out, and prevent further loss. We handle emergency boarding up and temporary security after flooding across RH10 and RH11—whether it’s storm-driven rain, rising water from nearby watercourses, a burst pipe, or firefighting water runoff after a blaze.

If you’re reading this during an active incident, stay safe and avoid electrics. When you’re ready, call us for practical help and clear advice: Call 01293 699 986. We’re available out of hours, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on current workload and conditions.

When Flood Damage Requires Boarding Up

Flooding isn’t just about water. It often leaves windows and doors swollen, twisted, or unable to close. That’s where emergency boarding up and temporary security come in.

Common Crawley scenarios where we’re called:

• Storm-driven impact: high winds and blown debris crack glazing or push doors off alignment.
• Rising water: frames swell, locks fail, and doors won’t latch—ground-floor access becomes insecure.
• Burst pipes: ceilings collapse onto roof windows or patio doors, leaving openings vulnerable.
• Fire run-off: after fire crews extinguish a blaze, water damage continues—frames weaken and glazing may fail overnight.
• Commercial premises: shopfronts along busy routes in RH10 and RH11 take on water; laminated glass delaminates or mullions twist, leaving the frontage exposed.

Why boarding matters after a flood:

• Security: Opportunistic entry increases when doors and windows won’t close. Anti-tamper boarding deters removal from outside.
• Weatherproofing: Damaged glazing or frames let in wind-driven rain. Temporary boarding reduces further water ingress.
• Safety: Loose panes, bowed frames, and sagging lintels can be hazardous. A proper make-safe removes immediate risks.

If you’re unsure whether boarding is needed, a quick call and a few photos (if safe to take) will help us advise the right approach. For broken or at-risk glazing, see our window boarding in Crawley. For compromised entrances, read about door boarding.

How We Secure Flood-Damaged Properties

Every job starts with a safety-first assessment. We won’t switch on or off electrics, and we won’t enter unsafe structures. Within those limits, here’s how we typically proceed:

1. Initial check and make-safe

• We look for loose glass, unstable frames, and trip hazards.
• If frames are water-swollen and won’t latch, we use non-destructive methods first: hinge-side wedges, internal bracing, and lock alignment checks.
• If the frame or sash is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

2. Window boarding

• We template openings and cut panels to size on site.
• For most external openings, we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood fixed with anti-tamper screws into solid structure.
• For small, internal risk areas (e.g., communal lobbies), 12mm OSB can be suitable; we’ll advise case by case.
• We avoid trapping standing water behind boards. If needed, we create drip edges and leave a small lower gap to prevent capillary pooling while still maintaining security.

3. Door securing and temporary steel doors

• If a door won’t close and security is critical, we can install a temporary steel door set with an integral lock to allow occupant or contractor access.
• Where a full door set isn’t necessary, we board the opening externally with anti-tamper fixings and brace internally where structural movement is suspected.
• Shopfronts often need wider spans—our shopfront boarding team carries longer stock rails and oversized sheets for RH10 and RH11 premises.

4. Roof lights and overhead openings

• Floods often follow storms; displaced tiles or cracked roof lights can continue to leak. We can provide roof boarding and weatherproofing where safe access is possible.
• If roof access is unsafe due to saturation or ongoing weather, we’ll explain temporary internal protection measures and schedule a return when conditions allow.

5. Evidence and documentation

• You receive time-stamped photos of damage and our make-safe works.
• We issue an itemised invoice and a brief work statement describing materials and methods—commonly requested by insurers. Learn more: Insurance claims support.

Important limitations:

• We don’t perform water extraction or dehumidification—our role is to secure and make safe.
• We’re not loss adjusters; we provide evidence insurers typically ask for.
• Attendance times vary with conditions; flood events create spikes in demand. We prioritise urgent safety and security calls.

Materials and Methods That Stand Up to Wet Conditions

Working after floods means choosing fixings and sheet materials that resist swelling and tampering:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood: durable face veneer, better screw retention on larger openings and shopfronts.
• 12mm OSB: suitable for smaller apertures or internal partitions where weight and handling are factors.
• Anti-tamper fixings: prevent outside removal—crucial if the site will be unattended.
• Packers and battens: allow ventilation gaps to reduce trapped moisture while maintaining security.
• Temporary steel doors: powder-coated units with multi-point locks—best for medium-term access and security when the door set has failed.

If a timber frame has expanded, we avoid forcing it shut in a way that will worsen damage. We’ll talk you through trade-offs: short-term boarding versus planing/salvage works (usually a follow-on job for your joiner or contractor).

What You Get From Us

• Rapid, practical advice on the phone with a clear ETA based on conditions.
• A make-safe that aims to both secure property and reduce ongoing water ingress.
• Time-stamped photos, itemised invoice, and a brief statement of works for your insurer.
• Respect for your property: neat cuts, minimal drilling where feasible, and tidy work areas.

If you need help now, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call: 01293 699 986.

A Typical Flood-Damage Call-Out in Crawley

A typical call-out might involve a ground-floor maisonette in RH10 after a night of heavy rain and high winds. The patio door won’t latch because the frame has swollen, and one side-light pane is cracked. We’re called around 7:30am. On arrival, we check for loose glass and confirm electrics are isolated in the affected room. The side-light glass is carefully taped, removed, and the aperture boarded externally with 18mm exterior-grade plywood using anti-tamper fixings into masonry. The patio door frame won’t accept a reliable temporary latch; we install an internal brace and an external board that covers the opening but retains a manageable access panel until a glazier can attend. Photos and an itemised statement are provided to support the insurance claim.

What To Do Immediately After Flood Damage

• Stay safe: Avoid standing water near electrics. Don’t force jammed doors or windows—they can shatter or twist further.
• Call us to secure openings: Call 01293 699 986. We’ll advise what to do while you wait.
• Contact the police if you believe there’s been forced entry or vandalism as part of the incident—keep your reference number.
• Notify your insurer early: Ask what they require. We’ll supply itemised documentation and photos.
• Take photos if safe: Exterior, interior, and close-ups of damage, including frames and locks.
• Protect what you can: Move valuables away from affected openings, keep pets out of wet rooms, and use towels or temporary plastic sheeting inside without blocking escape routes.
• Ventilate when appropriate: Once the property is secure and it’s safe, controlled ventilation can help—but avoid leaving unsecured openings.

When Our Flood-Damage Service Is the Right Fit

• You need to secure property after storm or water damage in Crawley.
• Doors or windows won’t close due to swelling or frame movement.
• Glazing has cracked, fallen out, or is at risk of failing.
• You manage a commercial unit and need the shopfront made safe out of hours.
• You require temporary steel doors for access and security while repairs are arranged.

Explore relevant services:

• Window boarding in Crawley
• Door boarding and temporary steel doors
• Shopfront boarding for commercial premises
• Roof and skylight boarding
• For urgent situations now: Emergency boarding up

Pricing, Insurance and What to Expect

Costs vary with opening size, materials, access, and time of day. We’ll outline likely options and provide a clear, itemised invoice after the job. For guidance on cost factors, see our pricing page. For claims, our insurance guidance explains the documents we provide and typical insurer expectations.

Typical process when you call:

1. We take details, assess urgency, and provide an ETA.
2. On arrival, we make safe, board up windows/doors, or fit a temporary steel door if needed.
3. We photograph the damage and our works, and tidy the area.
4. You receive documentation for your records and insurer.

FAQs: Flood Damage in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

Can you attend out of hours if my window is leaking and won’t shut?

Yes. We handle out of hours calls and can board up broken or failing windows to make safe and reduce further water ingress. Call us for an ETA: 01293 699 986.

My door has swollen and won’t lock—do you have to remove it?

Not always. We try non-destructive methods first. If the frame is too distorted, we’ll explain options, from temporary boarding through to fitting a temporary steel door for secure access.

Do you cover both RH10 and RH11 for flood-related boarding?

Yes, we cover Crawley across RH10 and RH11, including homes and commercial sites. We’ll give you a realistic ETA based on conditions and workload.

Will boarding trap moisture and make things worse?

We board to secure and weatherproof while allowing controlled ventilation. Where appropriate, we use packers or leave a small lower gap to avoid pooling and reduce trapped moisture, without compromising security.

Can you board a shopfront in heavy rain?

Often, yes. We carry appropriate materials and fixings for wet conditions. Extremely high winds or unsafe glazing may limit external work; if so, we’ll discuss safe interim measures and schedule a return.

How long should I keep the boards on after a flood?

Boards are a temporary measure until permanent repairs are arranged. Your insurer or contractor will advise. We can return to adjust or remove boards when your glazier or joiner is ready.

Will my insurance cover the boarding-up costs in Crawley?

Many policies do, especially when it’s necessary to secure property after an insured event like storm damage. Check your policy and speak to your insurer; we’ll provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice. See: Insurance claims support.

Can you also help with water extraction or drying?

We focus on securing and making safe. We don’t provide drying or dehumidification. We can, however, liaise on access with your chosen contractors and ensure the property is secure for them to attend.

Need Help Now?

If you need to secure property after flood damage—smashed window, swollen door, leaking roof light—call for immediate assistance. Call 01293 699 986. Prefer a message? info@boarding-up-crawley.co.uk. We’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a clear ETA.