Accident Damage Boarding Up in Bromley (BR1–BR8)
Accident damage can happen in seconds: a delivery van clips a shopfront, a car mounts the kerb and hits a front wall, or a ladder goes through a window during works. If glass is broken or an opening is left exposed, you’re suddenly dealing with safety risks, weather getting in, and a property that’s vulnerable to opportunistic entry.
At Boarding Up Bromley, we provide practical, reassuring help across BR1–BR8—securing damaged windows, doors, shopfronts, and roof openings after an impact or accident. If you need urgent assistance, call 020 4634 7872.
What counts as “accident damage” (and why it needs securing quickly)
Accident damage isn’t limited to dramatic road traffic collisions. In Bromley and the surrounding BR postcodes, we’re often called after everyday incidents such as:
- Vehicle impact: cars striking garden walls or ground-floor windows on residential roads, or vans reversing into shutters and glazing on parades
- Falling objects: tiles, scaffold poles, or tree branches cracking panes or rooflights (often after windy weather)
- DIY/contractor accidents: tools or ladders through windows; doors forced off hinges during rushed access
- Commercial incidents: trolleys, pallets, or machinery impacting internal and external glazing
Even if the damage looks “contained”, broken glass and compromised frames can worsen—especially in bad weather. Securing the opening early helps prevent theft, further breakage, and water ingress.
If the incident has just happened and you’re worried about security tonight, see our emergency boarding up page for what to do next.
First steps: what to do right after an impact (before we arrive)
If it’s safe, a few simple actions can make the next hour much easier:
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Make the area safe
Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames. If it’s a shopfront, consider cordoning off the affected area. -
Call the emergency services if needed
If there are injuries, structural concerns, or the road/footpath is affected, contact the appropriate services first. -
Take photos (only if safe)
Clear photos of the damage and surroundings can help with insurers, landlords, or managing agents. We can also provide time-stamped photos after we secure the opening. -
Keep any reference numbers
If police or a managing agent is involved, keep reference numbers handy. -
Avoid temporary DIY fixes that create hazards
Tape and thin plastic sheets often fail quickly and can leave sharp edges exposed. A proper board-up is safer and more secure.
When you call us, we’ll ask a few practical questions (what’s been hit, size of opening, ground floor or upper floor, whether the frame is still sound) so we can bring the right materials first time.
How we secure accident-damaged properties in Bromley
Accident damage often leaves irregular break patterns and compromised frames—so the right method depends on what’s still structurally sound. Our job is to secure the property without creating new problems (like splitting fragile frames or blocking essential access).
Step-by-step: what usually happens on site
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Site safety and assessment We check for loose shards, unstable panes, and any sign the surrounding frame or wall is unsafe to fix into. If something looks beyond a straightforward security job, we’ll tell you plainly before proceeding.
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Measure and choose the correct boarding method
- For most openings, we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability.
- For smaller or lower-risk openings, 12mm OSB may be suitable.
- If there’s a door opening that must remain usable, we may recommend a temporary steel door rather than sealing the entrance.
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Fixing with security in mind Where appropriate, we use anti-tamper fixings and methods designed to prevent removal from outside—particularly important if the property will be unattended or is on a busy street.
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Weatherproofing considerations Boarding up isn’t full building repair, but we aim to reduce wind and rain getting in. If ventilation is needed (for example after internal water damage), we can discuss the safest approach.
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Documentation for insurers or property managers You can request:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured opening
- An itemised invoice and work statement suitable for most insurance claims
We’re not loss adjusters, but we’ll provide the paperwork insurers typically ask to see.
The right service for the type of accident damage
Accident damage can affect very different parts of a building. These are the most common “routes” to securing it properly.
Broken windows and cracked glazing
Impact damage to windows is one of the most common callouts—especially on ground floors and bay windows. We secure the opening and help reduce the risk of further cracking spreading across the frame.
See: window boarding in Bromley
Damaged doors, forced frames, and unsafe entrances
If a door has been struck, warped, or pulled off alignment, simply boarding over it may not be practical—particularly for homes, flats, or commercial premises that still need access. In those cases we’ll talk through options, including temporary solutions.
See: door boarding
Shopfronts and commercial glazing
A vehicle strike on a shopfront can leave large, dangerous openings. We’re used to securing wider spans and working around shutters, signage, and access requirements for staff.
See: shopfront boarding
Roof openings, skylights, and high-level damage
Falling branches and debris can crack rooflights or dislodge panels, especially after storms. High-level accident damage often needs a different approach due to access and safe fixing points.
See: roof boarding
Realistic local scenario: vehicle impact near Bromley town centre
A common callout in BR1 is an evening vehicle impact where a driver misjudges a turn, clipping a ground-floor window on a busy route like the A21 (Bromley Hill) or near the approaches around Bromley South Station. The glass may be shattered, the frame bowed, and the opening exposed to the street.
In these situations, we’ll typically:
- Confirm the area is safe to work around (especially if footfall is high)
- Board the opening with exterior-grade ply and secure it using fixings that can’t be removed from outside
- Provide photos and an invoice for the business owner/insurer
- Discuss whether a temporary steel door is needed if the entrance has been affected and the property must remain operational
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options before any fixings go in—so you can make an informed call.
Challenges unique to accident damage (and how we handle them)
Accidents don’t leave neat, square holes. Here are a few issues we plan for:
- Shattered frames or crumbling masonry: we may need to fix into stronger surrounding points, or recommend an alternative security approach
- Access requirements: landlords, residents, or staff may still need to get in—boarding mustn’t block lawful access without agreement
- Shared entrances and flats: in places around Bromley, Beckenham, and Orpington, many properties have shared hallways—security has to protect the building without creating hazards for residents
- Insurance pressure: you might be asked for proof quickly; we can supply clear documentation of the works carried out
For longer-term securing (for example, if a building will be vacant while repairs are arranged), consider property security for vacant buildings.
Insurance and responsibility: what we can (and can’t) do
Accident damage often involves third parties—drivers, contractors, neighbours, managing agents. We can help you document the condition and the security work, but it’s important to be clear about boundaries:
- We secure the opening and help reduce risk of theft and weather ingress.
- We can provide photos, invoices, and a work statement for your claim.
- We don’t make liability decisions, assess fault, or negotiate with insurers on your behalf.
If you’re dealing with a claim, our guidance here may help: insurance claims support.
Areas we cover for accident damage boarding up
We cover Bromley and the BR postcode area (BR1–BR8), including residential streets, high streets, parades, and business estates. Whether you’re near The Glades, along High Street Bromley, close to Bromley North Station, or out towards the more rural edges of the borough, we’ll talk you through the safest way to secure the property.
For general location coverage, see areas we cover.
FAQs about accident damage boarding up in Bromley
How fast can you attend after an accident?
We prioritise urgent callouts, but we don’t quote fixed arrival times—traffic and site conditions vary across Bromley and the wider BR area. Call 020 4634 7872 and we’ll confirm availability and the best next step.
Can you secure a shopfront temporarily so we can reopen?
Often, yes. Depending on the size and layout, we can board damaged glazing to secure the premises. If the entrance is affected, we’ll discuss options so you can balance security with safe access. For commercial premises, start here: shopfront boarding.
What if the window frame is too damaged to fix boards to?
If the surrounding frame or masonry won’t safely take fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. In some cases, we can fix to stronger adjacent points; in others, you may need a builder to make the structure safe before boarding is possible.
Do you provide paperwork for insurers?
Yes. We can provide an itemised invoice, work statement, and time-stamped photos on request—useful for most claims. More guidance is on our insurance claims page.
Is accident damage treated the same as burglary or vandalism?
The securing principles are similar (close the opening, prevent access, reduce weather ingress), but accident damage more often involves distorted frames, structural concerns, and wider openings. If you’re dealing with other events, see burglary repairs or vandalism repair.
Ready to secure your property after accident damage?
If your window, door, shopfront, or roof opening has been damaged and you need it made safe and secure, we’ll guide you calmly through the next steps.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk
