Flood damage boarding up in Reading (RG1–RG45)
Flood damage is stressful because it rarely comes with just one problem. You might be dealing with standing water, swollen doors that won’t close, blown double-glazing, or frames that have shifted just enough to leave gaps. If your property has taken on water in Reading or the wider RG area, we provide practical flood damage boarding and temporary security to help protect the building until drying, repairs, and reinstatement can properly begin.
If you need urgent help securing a damaged opening, call us on 01182 308 876. If it’s safe, take a few photos first for your insurer—then we’ll take over the securing.
Relevant service options include window boarding in Reading, door boarding up and roof boarding if a leak or storm has opened up the roofline.
When flood damage happens around Reading
Flooding across Reading and Berkshire isn’t just “river burst its banks” (although the Thames and Kennet can and do cause issues). We’re often called after:
- River or surface water flooding after prolonged rain, where drains can’t cope and water enters low points and basements
- Flash flooding in heavy downpours, especially where water runs off roads into driveways and door thresholds
- Internal leaks (burst pipes, failed tanks, appliance hoses) that soak floors and swell timber frames
- Storm-driven rain that finds weaknesses around roof edges, dormers, skylights and older flashing
Local context matters. Parts of Caversham sit near the Thames, and properties around King’s Meadow and Thames-side routes can feel the impact when water levels rise. Along the Kennet, areas nearer Reading town centre and the route towards The Oracle can be affected by water ingress and drainage overflow after severe weather. Even outside the central floodplains, suburbs with lots of hardstanding and fast road runoff—like around the A33 relief road or close to major junctions—can see sudden surface water issues.
Flooding doesn’t always look dramatic. A few centimetres of water can be enough to:
- weaken window and door fixings
- make locks misalign
- crack glazing under pressure
- cause boards, frames, and sills to delaminate
That’s often when a property becomes vulnerable—openings don’t seal, and security is compromised.
Why boarding up after flooding is sometimes essential
After flood damage, it’s common for a property to be temporarily unsecure, even if nothing looks “smashed”. Typical problems we see include:
- Swollen timber doors that won’t shut or latch
- UPVC doors/windows knocked out of alignment, leaving a gap you can see daylight through
- Failed glazing units (cracked panes or popped beading)
- Forced ventilation by other contractors (openings created to dry the building) without suitable external security
- Garage side doors and sheds becoming easy entry points due to warped frames
Boarding up gives you breathing space. It reduces the risk of opportunistic entry while drying equipment runs, materials are stored on-site, or the building is between visits from insurers and contractors.
If you’re currently dealing with flooding and need urgent help, consider emergency boarding up—we’ll prioritise properties that are exposed to the outside or cannot be locked.
What we do: securing a flood-damaged property (step by step)
Every flood is different, but our approach is consistent: make the building safe, secure, and weather-resistant, without creating unnecessary damage.
1) Quick assessment of the opening and surrounding structure
We check:
- whether the frame is stable enough to fix to
- if water has softened timber or plasterboard near the edges
- whether the glass is safe (loose shards, cracked laminated glass, blown unit)
- if there are electrical hazards nearby (we won’t touch exposed electrics—this may need isolation first)
If the frame is too compromised for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding. In some cases, a temporary door solution is more appropriate than trying to “force” a swollen doorway to behave.
2) Choosing the right material: plywood vs OSB
We commonly use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security on larger or higher-risk openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller apertures or low-risk locations where a lighter board is appropriate
Flood situations often involve damp surfaces, so we choose fixing methods that still hold securely and resist tampering.
3) Fixing methods that prioritise security (and your future repairs)
Depending on the opening, we may use:
- anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended
- framing and bracing for wider windows and shopfront-style openings
- measured boards that cover the full vulnerable area (not just the broken pane)
We aim to keep fixings tidy and sensible for later reinstatement. The goal is to secure the property now without making the eventual repair harder than it needs to be.
4) Consideration for drying and ventilation
After flooding, drying and dehumidification matter. Boarding up can still allow for sensible ventilation planning—especially when other contractors have created temporary vent points.
We’re not a drying or restoration company, but we’ve worked alongside enough insurers and drying teams to understand why airflow is important. If you tell us drying equipment is planned, we’ll take that into account when securing the openings.
5) Documentation for your records and insurer
Where helpful, we can provide:
- time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- an itemised invoice
- a short work statement describing materials and fixing method
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. See our guidance on insurance claims support.
The most common flood-related call-outs we handle
Flooded doors that won’t close
A swollen door is one of the most frustrating outcomes of water damage—especially in older Reading terraces where timber doors and frames have absorbed moisture.
In these cases, door boarding up can secure the entrance until the frame dries, carpentry repairs are made, or a replacement door is fitted. For higher-risk situations (vacant properties or repeated incidents), we may recommend a temporary steel door as a more robust medium-term option.
Windows compromised by water ingress
Floodwater and saturated walls can cause glazing units to fail or frames to shift. If the window can’t be locked, it’s not secure.
We’ll usually recommend window boarding in Reading for:
- broken or cracked panes
- windows that no longer close properly
- ground-floor windows made vulnerable by frame movement or damage
Roof leaks and ceiling collapses after prolonged rain
Flood damage isn’t always rising water—sometimes it’s water coming in from above. When a roof leak leads to ceiling collapse, insulation saturation, or a compromised skylight, the property can be exposed quickly.
Our roof boarding service is designed to secure vulnerable roof openings and help reduce further water ingress until a roofer can complete permanent repairs.
Vacant properties and drying periods
If a property is empty while being assessed or dried, it can become a target. We can discuss more robust temporary security options, particularly for longer periods, via boarding up for vacant property.
A realistic local scenario: ground-floor flooding and a warped back door (Reading RG1/RG2)
A typical call-out for flood damage in Reading is a ground-floor flat or terrace where water has entered through an external doorway after a sudden downpour. The occupant may have already had help pumping out water, but the back door has swollen and won’t latch, leaving the property insecure overnight.
We attend, assess the frame condition, and secure the opening using an appropriate boarded solution (with anti-tamper fixings if the property will be unattended). We then provide photos and an invoice so the customer can forward everything to their insurer and landlord/agent. Once drying and repairs are underway, the board can be removed and the doorway reinstated properly.
What to do immediately after flood damage (before we arrive)
If you’re dealing with flood damage right now, these steps help protect you and your claim:
-
Stay safe first
Avoid standing water if electrics may be affected. If in doubt, isolate power and call an electrician. -
Photograph the damage (if safe)
Wide shots and close-ups help insurers understand what happened. -
Limit further water ingress if possible
Simple measures like moving valuables upstairs and placing temporary barriers can help, but don’t take risks. -
Call your insurer early
Even if you’re not sure what’s covered, early notification helps. -
Call us to secure vulnerable openings
If a door won’t shut, a window is compromised, or a roof opening is exposed, we can secure it so the property isn’t left open.
For urgent assistance, use our emergency boarding up service.
Flood damage and insurance: what we can (and can’t) help with
We can support your claim by providing clear documentation of what we’ve done, but it’s important to be transparent:
- We can provide photos, invoices, and a brief description of works.
- We can coordinate access if you’re a landlord, managing agent, or facilities manager (where keys and permissions are arranged).
- We can’t confirm cause of loss, advise on policy wording, or approve drying/remediation plans.
For more detail, visit insurance claims support.
FAQs: flood damage boarding up in Reading
How long does boarding up take after flood damage?
It depends on how many openings are affected and whether frames are stable enough for standard fixings. A single door or window is typically straightforward; multiple compromised points or structural instability takes longer. When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions to understand what’s needed.
Is flood damage boarding up covered by insurance in Reading?
Often it can be, especially when it’s necessary to prevent further loss (for example, securing an open doorway or broken window). Every policy differs. We recommend keeping photos and forwarding our invoice and work description to your insurer. Our insurance claims support page explains what documentation we can provide.
Can you secure a property if the door frame has swollen and shifted?
Yes—this is common after flooding. If the door can’t be made secure with normal locking, we can board the opening or discuss a stronger option like a temporary steel door, depending on the risk and how long the property will be unattended.
Do you cover the whole Reading area and surrounding postcodes?
Yes. We cover Reading and the wider RG postcode area (RG1–RG45), including nearby towns and villages. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us.
Should I wait for a drying company before boarding up?
Not if the property is exposed. Security and weatherproofing come first when there’s a vulnerable opening. Drying and reinstatement can follow once the building is secure.
Next steps: secure your property after flooding
Flood damage can turn into theft, vandalism, or worsening structural issues if openings are left unsecured. If your door won’t close, a window has failed, or water ingress has compromised the roofline, we’ll help you stabilise the situation and protect the property while the longer repair process begins.
Need help now? Call 01182 308 876 for immediate assistance.
Or email photos/details to [email protected] and we’ll advise on the best way to secure the opening.
