Roof Boarding in Uxbridge (UB Area)

When roof glazing, skylights, or roof coverings are damaged, the priority is to make the property safe and weather-tight. Our emergency roof boarding service in Uxbridge secures exposed openings on flat and pitched roofs across the UB postcode area. We handle smashed rooflights, storm-lifted felt and tiles, fire damage, and impact incidents, using robust materials and safe access methods to protect your building until permanent repairs are arranged.

If you need urgent help to make safe after storm damage or a broken skylight, call now. We’re available 24/7, fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians. We cover UB1–UB18 and nearby.

Need immediate assistance? Call 01895 696 176 or see our dedicated emergency boarding up page.

What Roof Boarding Solves

A compromised roof exposes your property to water ingress, theft risk, and injury from falling debris. Typical issues we secure:

• Broken or missing rooflights/skylights on flat roofs
• Smashed glazing domes and lanterns following impact or vandalism
• Storm-lifted felt, missing tiles, and exposed underlay
• Fire-damaged openings needing temporary protection
• Holes from falling branches or wind-borne debris
• Unsafe access hatches or damaged plant enclosures

Our goal is to make safe fast, prevent further damage, and create a secure, weather-resistant temporary closure so insurers and repair contractors can proceed.

When To Use Roof Boarding vs Other Options

• Roof boarding: Best for broken rooflights, small-to-medium openings, and where a rigid, secure closure is needed immediately.
• Temporary sheeting: For larger spans or where weight must be minimised, we may deploy reinforced tarpaulins or shrink-wrap with timber battens as an interim measure.
• Steel security screens: For void properties or repeated vandalism to roof access points, consider medium-term [steel security solutions] via our vacant property approach.
• Door/window issues: If the damage is to vertical openings, see window boarding in Uxbridge and door boarding.

We’ll explain the pros and cons on site and recommend the safest, most robust temporary solution for your situation.

Materials We Use (And Why)

We select materials for strength, weather resistance, and secure fixing:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood: Our standard for roof openings and broken skylights—rigid, strong, and suitable for spanning frames.
• 12–15mm OSB: Used for smaller skylight apertures or where weight must be reduced; still robust when properly supported.
• Treated timber battens: To create a clamped frame that spreads load and avoids damage to fragile edges.
• Anti-tamper fixings: One-way or security-head screws to prevent external removal—important if the roof is accessible.
• Weatherproof membranes and flash tapes: To shed water and seal perimeters where appropriate.
• Reinforced tarpaulins/shrink-wrap: For large or irregular openings or when rapid temporary weathering is the priority.

Why this matters: Anti-tamper fixings stop removal from outside; exterior-grade boards resist delamination; proper edge sealing reduces water ingress while allowing necessary ventilation after fire or flood incidents.

How Emergency Roof Boarding Works

1. Phone triage

   • We’ll ask what happened, property type, roof access details, and what is safe to approach. Photos help if you can send them.
   • We’ll give a realistic ETA based on conditions and workload. For urgent calls, we prioritise attendance.

2. Site assessment and safety plan

   • We assess from ground level first, then at roof level only when safe.
   • We decide on access equipment: ladders, roof ladders, scaffold tower, or MEWP (cherry picker). If specialist access is needed, we’ll explain options and timescales.

3. Make safe

   • Remove loose shards, secure the area below, and put in temporary protection to stop immediate water ingress.
   • For skylights, we template the opening and cut boards to size.

4. Secure boarding installation

   • We install boards using a clamped method where possible: internal and external battens sandwich the frame to avoid splitting the substrate.
   • On concrete or steel frames, we use appropriate anchors with anti-tamper fixings.
   • Perimeter sealing with membranes or tapes where suitable for weather protection.

5. Handover

   • We provide time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed make-safe work.
   • You receive an itemised invoice and work statement—useful for insurers. See our insurance guidance.

Important: If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding. In high winds or lightning, we may need to delay roof-level work until safe; we will always be honest about on-site safety constraints.

Access and Safety Considerations

Roof work carries risk. We bring the right equipment and make decisions based on conditions:

• Flat roofs: Often the simplest for access; we still check edge protection and load-bearing capacity.
• Pitched roofs: Typically require roof ladders and a second technician for safe handling.
• Fragile roofs (e.g., asbestos, old corrugated sheets): No step-on access; alternative methods and equipment are required.
• Severe weather: High winds, heavy rain, or ice can make roof access unsafe. We will stabilise from below (drip trays, temporary internal sheeting) until safe external access is possible.

For commercial properties, we can provide RAMS on request. If your insurer or facilities manager requires documentation, just let us know.

Typical Emergency Scenarios We Attend

• Storm damage: Wind has lifted felt or removed tiles, exposing underlay and causing water penetration. We board vulnerable sections and apply temporary membranes to keep water out.
• Broken skylight: A branch or object has shattered a rooflight dome. We remove loose pieces and fit a timber-clamped 18mm ply closure with anti-tamper fixings.
• Fire damage: Firefighters have created an opening for ventilation. We install a breathable, weather-shedding temporary cover and discuss ventilation needs with you.
• Impact damage: A vehicle strike or falling structure has created an irregular hole. We build a timber frame to suit and board with multiple panels, sealing joints.

If your situation is different, call and describe it. We’ve likely seen something similar over 10+ years trading.

What You Get From Us

• 24/7 attendance for genuinely urgent risks—see emergency boarding up
• Professional materials: 18mm exterior ply as standard for roof openings, anti-tamper fixings
• Clear communication: realistic ETA, explanation of methods and limitations
• Documentation: time-stamped photos, itemised invoice, and work statement for insurers
• Fully insured work by DBS-checked technicians
• A tidy site: we remove debris created by our works and make safe any hazards we control

We don’t promise exact arrival times because conditions vary, but we’ll be honest, keep you updated, and prioritise emergencies.

Insurance and Claims

Most policies cover emergency make-safe work after events like storms, burglary, or fire. We are not loss adjusters, but we provide what insurers typically ask for:

• Incident description and cause (as stated by you)
• Time-stamped before/after photos
• Materials and labour itemisation
• Notes on why the method was chosen (e.g., anti-tamper fixings, external-grade boards)
• Any access constraints and additional equipment required

For tips on contacting your insurer and what to keep, see our dedicated insurance guidance.

Preventing Further Damage While You Wait

• If safe, place containers under active drips and move valuables away from wet areas.
• Turn off electrics to affected circuits if water is near fittings—only if you know how and it’s safe.
• Keep your police or incident reference number if applicable (e.g., after vandalism).
• Take a few photos of the damage before any clean-up, if safe—useful for insurers.

If you’re dealing with broader storm or incident issues, our situation pages may help:

• Storm damage make-safe
• Vandalism repair
• Accident damage
• Fire damage securing

Local Coverage in Uxbridge and UB

We cover roof boarding across the UB postcodes (UB1–UB18), including residential and commercial properties in Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Hayes, and surrounding areas. For nearby local pages, see:

• Boarding up in Uxbridge UB8
• Boarding up in Hillingdon UB8
• Boarding up in Hayes UB3

Response times vary by time of day and workload. On the phone, we’ll give you a realistic ETA and any safety advice while you wait.

FAQs: Roof Boarding in Uxbridge

Can you board a broken skylight tonight?

Yes—this is a common emergency. We’ll aim to attend as quickly as possible, cut 18mm exterior ply to size, and secure it with anti-tamper fixings. For urgent out-of-hours requests, call now or visit emergency boarding up.

What if the roof is too dangerous to access due to weather?

We won’t put you or our team at risk. If wind, rain, or ice make roof access unsafe, we’ll stabilise from inside (drip control, temporary internal sheeting) and return when conditions allow. We’ll explain the plan and keep you updated.

Do you need scaffolding or a cherry picker?

Sometimes. Many UB properties can be reached with ladders or a small tower, but complex or high roofs may require a MEWP or scaffold. We’ll assess on arrival and discuss lead times and costs before proceeding.

Will the temporary boarding be weatherproof?

We install boards securely and use membranes/tapes to shed water where appropriate. It’s a temporary solution, not a permanent roof, but it’s designed to protect the property until permanent repairs.

Is roof boarding covered by insurance?

Often, yes, when part of emergency make-safe after insured events. Keep your policy details and incident reference. We’ll provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement—see insurance guidance.

How long does roof boarding stay in place?

It’s intended as a temporary measure—days to a few weeks—until your roofer or glazier completes permanent repairs. For longer-term security on void properties, ask about our medium-term options via vacant property.

Can you help with shop or warehouse roof damage in the UB area?

Yes. We secure commercial roofs and rooflights, and can provide RAMS when required. If you need shopfront protection too, see shopfront boarding.

What does roof boarding cost in Uxbridge?

Costs vary by access, size of opening, materials, and whether specialist equipment is needed. We’re transparent about pricing on the phone and can outline typical factors—see our pricing page for what affects cost.

What To Expect When You Call

• We’ll pick up or return your call quickly, gather key details, and give an honest ETA.
• A qualified team attends with materials and access equipment.
• We make safe, board securely, and tidy up.
• You receive photos and an itemised invoice for your records and insurer.

If your issue involves windows or doors as well, we can handle that in the same visit: see window boarding and door boarding.

Ready To Secure Your Roof?

Need help now? Call 01895 696 176 for immediate assistance. Prefer email? Write to [email protected] and include your UB postcode, brief description, and any photos. We’ll prioritise your emergency and give a realistic ETA.