Flood damage boarding up in Bromley (BR1–BR8)

Flooding is stressful. Whether it’s a burst pipe in a flat above you, a leak that’s been running unnoticed, or surface water getting into a ground-floor property after heavy rain, the first priority is safety—then securing the building so it doesn’t get worse.

At Boarding Up Bromley, we provide practical, insurance-friendly flood damage boarding and property security across the BR postcodes. If floodwater has damaged doors, frames, glazing, or ground-floor openings, we can secure them properly while you arrange drying, repairs and reinstatement.

Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 7872 or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.

When flood damage leads to boarding up

Flood damage doesn’t always look like a “break-in” situation, but it can leave your property just as vulnerable. We’re usually called when water has caused one of the following:

Swollen timber doors that won’t shut or lock (common after even shallow flooding)
uPVC doors and frames distorted so the locking points no longer align
Ground-floor windows cracked or loosened after impact from debris or pressure on frames
Glazing units compromised (water gets into the edge seals, or frames pull away)
Shopfront entrances left unsecured after emergency access or water ingress into the threshold
Vacant or temporarily unoccupied properties where an open doorway/window increases the risk of theft, squatting or further damage

In Bromley and the wider BR area, flood-related callouts are often linked to:

Burst or leaking pipes (especially in flats/maisonettes and older houses split into conversions)
Blocked gutters and downpipes leading to water running down walls and into frames
Drain backups in commercial units, cafés, and properties with basements or lower ground floors
Heavy rain overwhelming surface drainage in low-lying stretches near watercourses and valleys

Even when the water has gone, the building can be left insecure—particularly if doors won’t close, frames are soft, or glazing is unstable.

What to do first (before we arrive)

If you’ve had flood damage, here are sensible steps you can take. Only do what’s safe—don’t put yourself at risk.

Make it safe
- If electrics are affected, isolate power if you can do so safely.
- Avoid standing water near sockets, appliances, or consumer units.
Stop the source if possible
- Turn off the stopcock for burst pipes or isolate the supply.
Document the damage
- Take photos/video for your insurer before anything is moved (if safe).
- Note times/dates and what happened.
Ventilation—only when appropriate
- Ventilation can help, but if the property is unsecured you may be increasing risk.
- If you need the building left open for drying equipment or dehumidifiers, tell us and we’ll advise on secure options.
Call your insurer early
- We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for (photos, itemised invoice, description of works).

If you’re in immediate need of securing, use our emergency boarding up service in Bromley.

How we secure a flood-damaged property (our approach)

Flood damage is different from burglary or vandalism. With water, the challenge is often that frames and fixings are weakened, and materials are saturated, so we choose methods that secure the opening without causing avoidable extra harm.

1) We assess the opening and the structure around it

On arrival we’ll check:

Whether the frame is sound enough to take fixings
If the door/window is misaligned due to swelling or movement
Whether there’s crumbling masonry, soft timber, or delaminated boards
If the property needs partial ventilation for drying (common with insurers’ drying plans)

If the surrounding material is too compromised for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) We choose the right materials (plywood vs OSB, and why)

Typical materials we use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, weather-resistant boarding on larger or more exposed ground-floor openings
12mm OSB (often suitable for smaller windows or internal/less exposed areas)
Anti-tamper fixings where the property may be unattended—important because flood-affected homes are often temporarily vacant during drying and repairs

We don’t just “cover the hole”—we aim to secure the perimeter properly so panels can’t be peeled away from outside.

For window-specific work, see window boarding in Bromley.

3) We secure doors that won’t close (including steel door options)

Flooding commonly makes doors stick or become impossible to lock. Depending on what’s failed, we can:

Board up the doorway safely to prevent unauthorised access, or
Install a temporary steel door when you need frequent access for drying contractors, surveyors, or ongoing works

A temporary steel door is often the most practical solution when you’re coming and going for weeks.

Learn more about door boarding in Bromley and how temporary door solutions work.

4) We manage access and practicality (you still need to live or work)

We’ll ask a simple question: Do you need regular access?

If yes: we’ll look at a secure option that still allows entry (often a temporary steel door for major door failures).
If no: we’ll prioritise anti-tamper boarding and secure the site as if it may be left unattended.

For commercial premises, access planning can matter even more—deliveries, emergency exits, and safety signage may need consideration.

If your business has been impacted, shopfront boarding in Bromley may be the right fit.

5) Weatherproofing considerations after flooding

Flooding often leaves interiors damp and vulnerable. Our job is security, but we do think practically about short-term protection:

Boarding helps reduce wind-driven rain entering through damaged openings
We avoid leaving gaps that allow persistent drafts and water ingress
If ventilation is required for drying, we’ll discuss safer ways to do it without leaving the property openly accessible

Smoke/odour remediation or full flood restoration isn’t our scope—we secure the building so restoration teams can work safely.

Common flood-damage scenarios we handle in Bromley (and what we do)

Flood damage isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here are realistic examples we see across BR postcodes:

Ground-floor flat with a waterlogged front door: door swells and the lock won’t engage. We secure the entrance and recommend a temporary solution if regular access is required.
Terraced house with water through the bay window frame: the timber softens and glazing becomes unstable. We board the window using exterior-grade plywood and secure fixings.
Commercial unit with a compromised shopfront threshold: after water ingress, the door alignment shifts and won’t lock. We secure the shopfront to prevent overnight vulnerability.

If the damage overlaps with impact (for example a vehicle strike that also causes flooding), see accident damage boarding.

Documentation for insurers (what you’ll receive)

Insurers usually want clear records, especially when multiple trades are involved. We can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the openings before and after securing
An itemised invoice
A brief statement of works describing materials and fixings used

We can’t guarantee what an insurer will cover, but we’ll give you the paperwork they typically ask for. For more guidance, visit insurance claims support.

Flood damage in vacant properties and between tenancies

Flooding in a vacant house or flat can go undetected for longer—leading to more swelling, frame movement, and security issues. If a property is empty (or about to be), we can recommend more robust options designed for medium-term protection.

If that’s your situation, see vacant property boarding in Bromley.

FAQs about flood damage boarding up in Bromley

How quickly can you attend for flood damage boarding in Bromley?

We prioritise urgent security issues, including flood-damaged doors or windows that won’t close. We don’t quote fixed arrival times because traffic and job complexity vary, but we’ll tell you what’s realistic when you call and keep you informed.

If it’s urgent or out of hours, use emergency boarding up.

Can you board up a door that’s swollen but not broken?

Yes. Floodwater can make a door impossible to lock even if it looks “fine”. We’ll assess whether the frame can be secured safely and whether you need access. If you need ongoing access, a temporary steel door may be a better solution than fully boarding the entrance.

Will boarding up stop damp and mould after a flood?

Boarding up is about security and short-term protection, not drying or mould treatment. You’ll likely still need drying equipment and restoration work. We can secure openings while you arrange those services, and we can discuss ventilation needs so security and drying can both be managed sensibly.

Do you cover both homes and businesses across the BR postcodes?

Yes—our work covers residential and commercial properties across Bromley and the surrounding BR1–BR8 areas. If you’re responsible for a unit, office, or storefront, see commercial boarding up.

Do you provide invoices suitable for insurance?

Yes. We provide itemised invoices and supporting photos. For a more complete overview of what insurers may request, visit insurance claims support.

Next steps: secure the property, then plan the repairs

Flood damage can unravel quickly—doors stop locking, frames soften, and the property becomes vulnerable just when you’re dealing with enough already. Securing the building gives you breathing space to organise drying, contractors and insurance.

For urgent help: Call 020 4634 7872
Or email: info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk

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