24/7 Emergency Boarding Up in South East London

24 hour boarding up in South East London is vital when a window, door or shopfront is suddenly smashed and you need to secure your property fast, day or night. We provide 24/7 boarding up South East London wide, helping homeowners, landlords and businesses to board up and secure quickly, safely and in an insurer‑friendly way.

Need help right now? Call 020 4538 1506 – we’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency boarding up and make‑safe securing.

Emergency 24 Hour Boarding Up Across South East London

When glass breaks unexpectedly, you don’t just lose a window – you lose your sense of security. Our emergency boarding up South East London service is designed to restore that security as quickly and calmly as possible.

We regularly attend emergencies in:

  • Homes and flats in areas like Lewisham, Greenwich, Peckham, Dulwich, Catford and Woolwich
  • Shops, cafés and offices along high streets in Bermondsey, Camberwell, Deptford, New Cross and Penge
  • Public and commercial buildings throughout the SE1–SE28 postcode districts

We’re a local team with 10+ years’ experience, fully public liability insured, with DBS‑checked technicians. We focus on non-destructive securing wherever possible, so that follow‑on glazing or repairs are as straightforward as they can be.

If you need a different service later (for example dedicated window boarding in South East London or shopfront boarding), we can plan that with you once the immediate emergency is under control.

When You Need Out-of-Hours Boarding Up

Our out-of-hours boarding up and emergency property securing service is there for any situation where an opening has become unsafe or insecure and can’t wait until morning.

Typical emergencies we handle include:

  • Burglary and break-ins

    • Forced doors or frames
    • Windows jemmied or smashed for entry
    • Damaged locks where the door can’t be safely secured
    • Follow‑on post-burglary boarding up South East London wide – see our dedicated burglary repairs and securing page for more detail.

  • Vandalism and deliberate damage

    • Smashed shopfronts or broken display windows
    • Bricks or bottles through residential windows
    • Repeated nuisance damage at vacant or void properties
    • For more, see our vandalism repair boarding service.

  • Storm and weather damage

    • Windows blown in or cracked by flying debris
    • Rooflights or skylights damaged by branches
    • Doors twisted or warped so they won’t close properly
    • You can read more about our storm damage boarding if this is your situation.

  • Accidental damage and impact

    • Ball or object through a window
    • Vehicle impact to a shopfront or front wall
    • Accidental breakage during works or moves
    • We also cover this under our accidental damage and impact boarding service.

  • Fire or flood incidents

If any of the following are true, you likely need 24/7 boarding up right away:

  • Your property is open to the street or communal areas
  • There is loose or hanging glass creating a safety risk
  • You cannot lock or secure a door or window
  • You’ve been advised by police, neighbours or your insurer to get emergency board up support

In all of these cases, call us immediately on 020 4538 1506 for same day or night attendance.

How We Secure Your Property

We use proven, robust methods and materials to board up and secure your property without unnecessary damage, and with future repairs in mind.

Fast, Safe Assessment

On arrival, our technician will:

  • Make a quick safety assessment – looking for loose glass, damaged frames, trip hazards and any structural concerns.
  • Check for any utilities risks around the opening (e.g. water ingress near electrics, after a flood).
  • Discuss with you what needs to be secured and any priorities (children’s bedrooms, street‑facing shop windows, ground‑floor access).

Non-Destructive Securing Wherever Possible

Our default approach is non-destructive securing South East London wide – meaning:

  • We avoid drilling into window sashes or door faces unless there is no practical alternative.
  • We prefer to fix into existing frames, surrounding brickwork or reveals.
  • We use packing pieces and pads to protect frames from crushing or distortion.

There are rare exceptions when:

  • The frame itself is shattered or missing
  • A door is totally broken away from the frame
  • There is structural damage that requires fixing into sound elements for safety

In these cases, we explain clearly what we need to do and why, before we proceed.

Strong, Weather-Resistant Materials

We typically use:

  • Structural plywood or OSB sheet, usually 18mm thick for doors and large windows, or 12mm–15mm for smaller openings, depending on risk and exposure.
  • Boards cut to size so they sit tight to the frame or opening, reducing draughts and water ingress.

With our plywood boarding South East London methods, we ensure:

  • Edges are smoothed to reduce splinters
  • Boards are fitted close but not wedged so tightly that frames are stressed
  • Openings are left as weather‑resistant as possible – critical in storms and winter conditions

Anti-Tamper Fixings and Secure Fixing Methods

We use anti-tamper fixings designed so they can’t be easily removed from outside:

  • Specialist screws and bolts that require specific tools to undo
  • Through‑bolting on doors and large shopfronts, where bolts go from inside to outside and use backplates or washers

This helps ensure your temporary boarding up is genuinely secure and meets typical insurer expectations.

Temporary Steel Doors and Security Screens

In some situations, especially after serious burglary, fire, or for vacant property boarding South East London:

  • We can install temporary steel doors to provide a lockable, robust entrance when the main door is too damaged to use.
  • We can supply steel security screens / Sitex-style anti-vandal screens for medium‑term protection, particularly on empty or high‑risk properties.

Where needed, we explain the pros and cons and factor this into your quote or emergency attendance.

Clean, Tidy and Respectful

After boarding up:

  • We remove larger broken glass pieces and obvious debris from the immediate area.
  • We tidy our working area and, where reasonably possible, leave you with a clear route in/out of the property.
  • We explain how to operate any temporary steel doors we’ve fitted, and what to expect from follow‑on repairs.

Why Choose Us for 24/7 Boarding Up in South East London?

Choosing the right boarding up specialists during a stressful incident matters. Our service is built around safety, reassurance and proper documentation for insurers.

Local, Mobile and Available 24/7

  • Based in and around South East London, covering all SE postcodes including SE1 (Bankside, Southwark), SE8 (Deptford), SE10 (Greenwich), SE13 (Lewisham), SE15 (Peckham), SE18 (Woolwich) and beyond.
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency board up 24/7.
  • Efficient dispatch to reach you as quickly as practical – we don’t promise exact arrival times, but we do prioritise genuine emergencies.

Experienced, Insured and Vetted

  • 10+ years’ experience in emergency boarding up, glazing support and void security.
  • Fully public liability insured for your peace of mind.
  • DBS‑checked technicians – important for residential settings, landlords and commercial clients alike.

Non-Destructive, Insurer-Friendly Approach

Paperwork and Evidence for Insurance Claims

We know many clients will be making an insurance claim. For that reason we can provide:

  • Time‑stamped photos of the damage and our completed boarding
  • An itemised invoice that clearly sets out labour, materials and any specialist items (e.g. temporary steel doors)
  • A short work statement it’s easy to share with your insurer or loss adjuster

For broader guidance, you can also see our dedicated page on insurance support for boarding up in South East London.

Remember to keep your police crime reference number if the damage relates to a burglary or vandalism incident, as insurers will often request it.

What Happens Next – Simple 3-Step Process

Even in the middle of the night, we keep the process straightforward:

1. Call Us and Explain the Situation

Phone us on 020 4538 1506 and tell us:

  • What has happened (burglary, vandalism, storm, accident, fire, flood)
  • What is damaged (window, door, shopfront, skylight) and where it is on the property
  • Your address, access details and any immediate safety concerns

If you’re unsure what to do after damage, our pages on what is boarding up and boarding up FAQs may also help.

2. We Attend and Make the Property Safe

Once on site, we will:

  • Assess the damage and agree a make-safe plan with you
  • Board up and secure using suitable plywood or OSB, fixings and, if required, temporary steel doors or screens
  • Minimise further damage and keep disruption as low as possible

If you’d like to understand how costs are worked out, see our guide to boarding up prices in South East London.

3. Follow-Up, Quotes and Repairs

After the immediate emergency is dealt with:

  • We can discuss any follow‑on boarding or de‑boarding you may need, especially for vacant property security.
  • We can signpost you to glazing companies or other trades if you need permanent repairs (we’re transparent about what we do and don’t cover).
  • We issue your invoice, photos and statement to support an insurance claim – you can find more help on our insurance support page.

You can also explore our full range of boarding up services in South East London for windows, doors, roofs, and commercial properties.

24/7 Emergency Boarding Up FAQs

How long does it take to board up a property?

It depends on how many windows or doors are damaged, their size, and how easy they are to reach. A single ground‑floor window can often be boarded up within an hour of our arrival. Multiple large shopfronts or high‑level openings will understandably take longer. The priority is always to make the property safe and secure before we leave.

What is the process for emergency boarding up?

We assess the damage, clear immediate hazards, measure and cut plywood or OSB boards, then fix them in place with anti‑tamper fixings. Wherever possible we secure into frames or surrounding walls without damaging undisturbed glass or structural elements. We then check the boards are firm and that doors and entrances are either secure or provided with a temporary solution.

How much does it cost to board up a window in South East London?

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all price. Cost depends on opening size and number, height/access (e.g. use of ladders or towers), material thickness, and whether it’s out‑of‑hours. We never charge just to talk – you can read more about boarding up prices in South East London on our pricing information page or call us for a no‑obligation estimate.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Many home and business insurance policies do cover emergency boarding up after incidents like burglary, storm, fire or accidental damage, but every policy is different. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, so we always recommend checking directly with your insurer. We do, however, provide insurance‑ready paperwork to support your claim.

Who should I call for a broken window late at night?

If you’re in South East London and have a smashed or unsafe window, door or shopfront, you can call our 24 hour boarding up team on 020 4538 1506. If a crime is in progress, call the police first. Once the scene is safe, we can attend to secure your home or business.

Can you help if my property is vacant or already boarded?

Yes. We regularly secure vacant and void properties using plywood, OSB, Sitex-style security screens and temporary steel doors. If you already have boards in place but they’re failing, loose or unsafe, we can replace or upgrade them. Learn more on our vacant property boarding in South East London page.

Need help now? Call 020 4538 1506 for 24/7 emergency boarding up in South East London, or Email us if your situation is non‑urgent but you’d like advice or a quote.

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