Storm Damage Boarding Up in Uxbridge (UB Area)
When storms hit Uxbridge and the wider UB postcode area, damage can be sudden and messy—broken windows, blown-in doors, ripped-off roof coverings, and flying debris that leaves properties exposed. If your home or premises has been hit by high winds, heavy rain, or falling branches, we can make safe and secure the same day. We cover UB1–UB18 across the London Borough of Hillingdon and nearby UB districts.
We’re Boarding Up Uxbridge: local specialists with 10+ years’ experience, fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians. We provide emergency boarding up for windows, doors, shopfronts and roofs, as well as temporary steel doors and security screens where needed. We prioritise urgent calls after storm damage and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone. For immediate help, call 01895 696 176.
- Need urgent help now? See our emergency boarding up page or Call 01895 696 176.
When Storm Damage Happens—and What’s at Stake
Storm damage in the UB area typically follows periods of high winds and driving rain. It can happen to any property type: houses, flats, shops, offices, and vacant buildings. Common scenarios include:
- Smashed glazing from wind-blown debris or falling branches
- Doors forced open by gusts, blown locks, or warped frames
- Shopfront glass cracked or shattered by airborne objects
- Roof damage—lifted tiles, broken skylights, leaking roof lights
- Flood-driven issues: swollen frames, weakened fixings, and water ingress
Once an opening is compromised, the risks escalate quickly:
- Unauthorised access and theft
- Further weather ingress causing interior damage
- Safety hazards from broken glass and unstable frames
- Liability concerns if unsecured areas are accessible to the public
Immediate action limits damage and keeps people safe. Our role is to make safe, secure the property, and weatherproof where possible—then leave you with clear documentation for insurers.
If your priority is immediate attendance, go to emergency boarding up or Call 01895 696 176.
How We Secure Properties After Storms
Storm work is about stability and weather protection as much as security. We assess each opening and choose the right method based on size, location, and damage. Typical materials and methods:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most doors, windows, and shopfront sections
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings or internal partitions
- Anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from the outside—important for unattended premises
- Through-bolt methods for compromised frames, using timber packers to avoid further damage
- Temporary steel doors for medium-term access control on forced entry doors
- Weatherproofing details—tape, flashings, and drip edges to deflect rain on roof/skylight boards
Why this matters:
- Anti-tamper fixings stop opportunists removing panels
- Plywood thickness choices balance rigidity and weight
- Through-bolting secures boards where frames are too weak for normal fixings
- Temporary steel doors allow access for contractors without reducing security
Relevant services:
- Learn more about window boarding in Uxbridge
- For damaged doors, see door boarding
- For shop glazing, see shopfront boarding
- For overhead issues, see roof boarding
Our Step-by-Step Approach on the Day
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Make safe on arrival
- Clear loose shards and hazards
- Assess frame strength, lintels, and any movement
- Decide on internal vs external boarding based on safety and weather
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Measure and cut
- Size boards precisely to cover the full opening and margins
- Pre-drill for anti-tamper fixings or through-bolts
- Pack behind to avoid point loading on fragile frames
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Secure and weatherproof
- Fit boards flush and tight, with fixings at appropriate centres
- Add seals or tape where driving rain is an issue
- For roofs: ensure fixings anchor into sound structure and set drips to shed water
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Access solutions
- Fit a temporary steel door if a door leaf is beyond immediate repair
- Agree padlock/locking arrangements and key handover
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Handover and documentation
- Time-stamped photos of damage and completed works
- Itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurers
- Advice on next steps and repair options
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
Typical Storm Call-Out: A Realistic Scenario
A typical call-out might involve a UB8 semi-detached where a large branch has smashed the upstairs bedroom window during high winds in the evening. On arrival, we cordon the area, remove loose shards, and inspect the timber sash frame. The frame is wet and slightly racked, so we choose external 18mm plywood with through-bolts and timber packers to avoid stressing the weakened timber. We cut a board to cover beyond the sash area, fix with anti-tamper heads, and apply weather tape along the top edge to deflect rain. Downstairs, a back door has blown open and split at the lock; we remove the leaf and install a temporary steel door for secure access while repairs are arranged. Before leaving, we take photos, issue an itemised statement for the insurer, and discuss the follow-on glazing repair timeline with the owner.
For similar situations, see:
What To Do Right Now After Storm Damage
- Stay safe: Keep people away from broken glazing and unstable areas. Don’t stand under damaged eaves or skylights.
- Call us to secure: For same-day attendance and practical advice, Call 01895 696 176.
- Contact the police only if there’s a crime element (suspected break-in) or a public safety hazard.
- Notify your insurer early: Ask about claim requirements and authorisation for emergency works.
- Document the damage: If safe, take clear photos before any cleanup. Keep your policy number and any police reference.
- Protect what you can: Move valuables and electronics away from water entry points if it’s safe to do so.
- Avoid DIY boarding at height: Ladders in high winds and wet conditions are risky; we have the kit and fixings to do it safely.
We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. See our insurance guidance for what to expect.
Materials and Specifications We Commonly Use
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and resistance to flex on larger spans
- 12mm OSB for small windows, internal partitions, and secondary containment
- Anti-tamper screws with security heads to prevent removal from outside
- Through-bolt systems with internal plates or packers when frames are compromised
- Temporary steel doors with frame anchors for secure, controlled access
- Weather tapes and drip details to help divert driving rain, especially on roof boards
For details by service:
Insurance and Documentation
Storm damage is often covered, but policies vary. We help by:
- Providing time-stamped photos (before and after) of damage and make-safe work
- Supplying an itemised invoice with labour, materials, and attendance notes
- Issuing a brief work statement outlining the incident context and temporary measures
You’ll still need to handle the claim with your insurer. For more, read our insurance claims page.
Commercial, Residential, and Vacant Properties
- Residential: From maisonettes to houses, we make safe rooms, secure doors, and reduce water ingress. See residential boarding.
- Commercial: Retail and offices often need out-of-hours attendance and RAMS where required. See commercial properties.
- Vacant/void: If a property will remain empty after storm damage, we can install temporary steel doors or security screens for longer-term protection. See vacant property security.
Our Local Coverage Across UB Postcodes
We cover Uxbridge and the wider UB area, including UB1–UB18. Typical storm-related calls come from UB8 and UB10 residential streets, UB3–UB7 commercial corridors, and UB5–UB6 blocks exposed to open aspects. We prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA on the phone based on workload and conditions.
Looking for local pages?
- Explore boarding up in Uxbridge UB8
- Nearby: boarding up in Hayes UB3 and boarding up in Hillingdon UB8
FAQs: Storm Damage in the UB Area
Can you board up a smashed window during a storm or at night?
Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up and can attend out of hours to make safe, even while poor weather continues. For immediate help, visit emergency boarding up or Call 01895 696 176.
I’m in UB8—will you board from the inside if it’s still raining?
Where possible, yes. Internal boarding can reduce exposure to the elements while still securing the opening. We’ll assess on arrival and choose the safest, most weatherproof option.
The door has blown in and won’t lock—can you secure it tonight?
We can board up or install a temporary steel door to secure access quickly and safely. See door boarding.
My shopfront in Uxbridge town centre is cracked but not fallen—should I wait?
Don’t wait. Glass under stress can fail suddenly, especially with ongoing wind. We can make safe and apply shopfront boarding to protect staff and stock.
There’s a leak around a skylight—do you handle roof boarding in UB postcodes?
Yes. We can board over damaged skylights and vulnerable roof openings to reduce water ingress. See roof boarding. Note: we secure and weatherproof; full roofing repairs are by a roofer.
What if the frame in my UB3 property is too damaged for screws?
We use through-bolt methods with internal plates/packers when frames are compromised. If structural elements are unsafe, we’ll explain options before proceeding and may recommend further specialist assessment.
Will insurers cover the cost of emergency boarding up after a storm?
Often, yes, but policies vary. We provide photos, itemised invoices, and a work statement to support your claim. See our insurance guidance.
How long will the temporary boarding need to stay in place?
Until permanent repairs are completed. For doors needing access, a temporary steel door can be fitted. We’ll advise on realistic timeframes based on repair lead times.
What You Get From Us
- Rapid, prioritised attendance for storm incidents
- Professional materials: 18mm exterior plywood, anti-tamper fixings, steel doors
- Safe methods tailored to damaged frames and ongoing weather
- Clear communication and realistic ETAs
- Time-stamped photos and itemised documentation for insurers
- Friendly, DBS-checked technicians and fully insured service
For specific services, see:
Next Steps
- Need help now? Call 01895 696 176 for emergency storm damage boarding up in Uxbridge and across UB postcodes.
- Prefer to plan? Read about our pricing and insurance process, or message us via [email protected].
Need help now? Call 01895 696 176 for immediate assistance.
