Property Boarding Up Situations in Harrow (HA0–HA9)

When something goes wrong at a property—whether it’s a break-in, storm damage, a fire, flooding, or an accident—the priority is simple: make the building safe and secure so you can take the next steps without worrying about further loss.

At Boarding Up Harrow, we handle call-outs and planned works across Harrow and the wider HA postcode area (HA0–HA9). This page explains the most common situations we’re called for, what to do immediately, and which type of boarding-up service is usually the right fit.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.

If you’re dealing with an incident right now (quick steps)

These steps help in most situations—burglary, vandalism, storm or accidental damage. Use your judgement and don’t put yourself at risk.

  1. Make sure everyone is safe first. If there’s danger (fire, gas, unstable structure), call 999.
  2. If it’s a break-in or criminal damage, call the police and get a crime reference number.
  3. Take photos if it’s safe to do so, especially of the damaged door/window and the surrounding frame.
  4. Avoid clearing glass in a hurry if it could affect an insurance claim or if the area isn’t safe.
  5. Call a boarding-up contractor to secure the opening and reduce the risk of further damage, theft, or weather getting in.

For urgent securing across Harrow, Wembley, Stanmore, Pinner, Edgware and the surrounding areas, use our emergency boarding up service.

What boarding up is meant to achieve (and what it isn’t)

Boarding up is about security and weather protection, not cosmetic repair.

What we aim to do:

  • Prevent unauthorised access through broken windows/doors or compromised shopfronts
  • Reduce water ingress and draughts (where possible) after storm or impact damage
  • Make a property safer while you arrange glazing, locksmith, roofing, or full repairs
  • Provide clear documentation for insurers and managing agents

What we don’t do:

  • We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can point you towards the kind of documentation insurers typically request.
  • We don’t carry out specialist smoke/odour remediation after a fire—we secure the property and help you stabilise the situation so restoration can begin.

If you want a clearer overview of the basics, see what boarding up is and how it works.

Common situations we handle across Harrow and HA postcodes

Below are the main incident types we respond to. Each situation has its own page with more detailed guidance.

1) Burglary / break-in damage

A forced entry often leaves you with a splintered door edge, damaged lock area, or a window smashed for access—especially at ground floor level or at the rear of a property.

In Harrow, we commonly see:

  • Damaged uPVC or timber doors where the lock has been forced
  • Side/rear windows broken in access alleys or behind gardens
  • Communal entrances in flats where the door needs immediate securing

Depending on the damage, we may:

  • Board over the affected opening using exterior-grade sheet material and anti-tamper fixings
  • Fit a temporary steel door where the door is compromised and the building needs secure access
  • Advise if the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods (we’ll explain options before proceeding)

Read more: boarding up after a burglary.

Related services: door boarding in Harrow and window boarding in Harrow.

2) Vandalism (including smashed glazing and repeated attacks)

Vandalism can range from a single smashed pane to repeated targeting of a vacant unit or a shopfront. Along busier routes and local parades—where footfall is high—securing quickly helps deter further damage.

We’re often asked to secure:

  • Shopfront glazing after impact
  • Repeatedly broken panes on empty properties
  • Ground-floor windows that have been targeted more than once

In these cases, we’ll discuss whether straightforward boarding is enough or whether a longer-term option (like a screen) makes more sense for a void property.

Read more: vandalism repair and boarding up.

3) Storm damage (wind, fallen branches, dislodged panels)

High winds can crack panes, dislodge roof panels, or send debris into windows—especially around exposed corners, older timber frames, or where a tree has dropped limbs.

Boarding up after storm damage is typically about:

  • Making the opening safe (loose glass, sharp edges, unsecured frames)
  • Preventing rain getting in and escalating internal damage
  • Securing access points if doors or windows have been compromised

Where roof-level openings are involved—skylights, dormers, or dislodged panels—we’ll consider access, safe ladder positioning, and whether the surrounding structure is sound before we proceed.

Read more: storm damage boarding and securing and see roof boarding in Harrow.

4) Fire damage (post-fire security)

After the fire service has finished, properties are often left with broken windows, forced doors, or compromised frames due to heat and water. Even if the fire itself was contained, the building can be vulnerable to entry.

Our role after a fire is to:

  • Secure broken openings and restrict access
  • Help protect the site while you arrange restoration and assessment
  • Provide photos and a clear work statement for records/insurance

If the structure is unsafe, we may need to wait for the relevant authority or your appointed contractor to confirm it’s safe to work.

Read more: fire damage boarding up.

5) Flood damage (swollen doors/frames, vulnerable openings)

Flooding—whether from heavy rain, leaks, or burst pipes—can swell timber, distort frames, and leave doors or windows that won’t close properly. Even after the water recedes, the property can remain insecure.

In flood-related jobs, we’ll consider:

  • Whether boarding will trap moisture (sometimes ventilation is important)
  • The condition of frames—water damage can affect fixings
  • The safest way to secure without causing avoidable additional damage

Read more: flood damage securing and boarding.

6) Accident / impact damage (vehicle strikes, building works mishaps)

Impacts—from a car clipping a low wall to an accidental strike during building works—can shatter glazing and damage frames or brickwork around an opening.

We can board up windows, doors, and shopfronts after an accident to:

  • Make the site safe for occupants and the public
  • Reduce risk of injury from glass
  • Secure the property until repairs are scheduled

If there are signs of structural movement (cracks spreading, frames out of square, sagging lintels), we’ll be upfront about what we can do safely and what needs a builder/structural professional first.

Read more: accident damage boarding up.

Which type of boarding-up service is usually needed?

The situation tells us why you need help; the service is how we secure it. Most jobs fall into one of these:

If you’re unsure, tell us what’s happened and what’s damaged—window, door, shopfront, roof level—and we’ll talk you through the practical options.

What to expect when you call us

People usually ring us at a stressful moment. We’ll keep it straightforward.

  1. We ask a few practical questions: location (postcode), what’s been damaged, whether the property is occupied, and if there are any immediate hazards.
  2. We explain the likely approach: for example, whether it’s a straightforward board-over, a more secure method using internal bracing, or whether a temporary steel door may be more suitable.
  3. We attend and secure the opening using appropriate materials and fixings for the site and situation.
  4. You receive documentation (typically time-stamped photos on request, an itemised invoice, and a short description of works carried out) to help with your records or insurer.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, access, and the nature of emergencies can vary—but we prioritise urgent security risks.

For more on costs and what affects them, see boarding up pricing. For claim-related guidance, visit insurance claims support.

Situations by property type (what changes?)

The same incident can need a different approach depending on the building.

  • Homes and flats: See residential boarding up for what we do around family homes, flats, and communal entrances.
  • Shops, restaurants, offices: See commercial boarding up—often focused on shopfront glazing, shutters/screens, and keeping the site safe for staff and customers.
  • Empty/void properties: See vacant property security where repeat targeting is a risk and medium-term security may be needed.

FAQs about boarding up after an incident in Harrow

Do I need to call the police before arranging boarding up after a break-in?

If it’s a burglary or criminal damage, it’s best to call the police first and get a crime reference number. If you need to secure the property immediately (for safety or to prevent further theft), you can still arrange boarding up—just keep the reference number for your insurer and records.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

It often can be, depending on your policy and the circumstances. We’re not insurers, but we can provide the sort of paperwork that’s typically requested—itemised invoice and a description of the works. More detail is on our insurance claims support page.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access (ground floor vs upper floor), and the condition of the frame around the damage. A single window is usually quicker than a full shopfront or multiple openings. If you’re unsure, tell us what’s happened and we’ll set expectations before we attend.

Can you board up a shopfront without damaging the remaining frame?

Where possible, yes—especially if parts of the frame are still sound. However, if the surrounding structure is already compromised (splintered timber, cracked masonry, twisted metal frame), we may need to use methods that prioritise security and safety. We’ll explain what’s possible on site before proceeding.

I’m in the HA postcode area—do you cover my neighbourhood?

Yes. We cover Harrow and HA0–HA9. If you want a location-specific page, start with areas we cover or look up your nearest page (for example, boarding up in Harrow HA1 or boarding up in Pinner HA5).

Ready for the next step?

If you’re dealing with damage and need to secure your property, we’ll help you stabilise the situation and prevent it getting worse.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472 for immediate assistance.