Accident Damage Boarding Up in Medway

When accidents happen—whether a vehicle strike, a ladder through a pane, or falling debris in high winds—the priority is to make the property safe, secure, and weatherproof. Our local team covers Medway’s ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8 postcode districts, attending homes, shops, offices, and industrial units to stabilise and board up damaged openings. We’re fully insured, our technicians are DBS-checked, and we’ve been doing this for 10+ years across Medway.

If you need urgent help to board up a broken window or door after an accident, call now. We handle out of hours incidents and same-day make-safe work across Medway.

Need help now? Call 01634 980 080 or see our emergency boarding up page.

When Accident Damage Happens

Accidental damage can occur at any time and often without warning:

• Vehicle impact to shopfront glazing or corner pillars
• Forklift or pallet truck striking a warehouse door
• A delivery trolley or heavy item hitting a glass door in a lobby
• Window shattered by a falling tree branch or roof tile during a storm
• Contractor mishap—ladder or tool through a pane or rooflight
• Internal accidents—slipped furniture move causing a smashed patio door

Common signs you need immediate boarding up:

• Smashed or cracked glazing where the pane is unstable
• Frames racked or out of square after an impact, so doors won’t lock
• Exposed interiors (risk of trespass, theft, or water ingress)
• Loose shards or hanging panels that could fall and injure someone

Accident scenes can be chaotic. Our job is to calm things down, make safe, and secure the property while you arrange follow-up repairs or replacement glazing/doors with your chosen contractor or insurer.

How We Secure Properties After Accidental Damage

We follow a clear, safety-first process tailored to the opening and level of damage. We don’t oversell: if a non-destructive option will do, we’ll use it; if the frame is too compromised, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

1. Site safety and assessment

• Establish a safe working area, isolate hazards, and cordon where needed.
• Inspect the frame, substructure, and surrounding masonry or cladding.
• Identify utilities at risk (electrics after water ingress) and raise any concerns.

2. Glass removal and debris management

• Carefully remove loose shards with appropriate PPE.
• Bag and remove glass and debris from the impact zone.
• Sweep/clean immediate areas to reduce slip and injury risks.

3. Temporary weatherproofing

• If rain is likely, we apply temporary sheeting behind the boarding or use damp barriers where appropriate to protect interiors.

4. Boarding selection and sizing

• Exterior-grade 18mm plywood is our default for doors, shopfronts, and larger window openings.
• 12mm OSB may be used for smaller, non-load-bearing openings or internal partitions.
• For medium-term requirements or heavily compromised entries, we can fit a temporary steel door for controlled access.

5. Fixing methods

• Anti-tamper fixings are standard on external boards to prevent removal from outside—vital if the property will be unattended.
• Where the frame is sound, we use frame-fixings that avoid unnecessary damage.
• If the frame is too damaged for secure fixings, we can span to the brick/blockwork with suitable anchors.
• For historic or delicate frames, we’ll discuss non-invasive bracing or compression systems where feasible.

6. Edge cases and access challenges

• Large shopfronts: we break into manageable sections with bracing to avoid flex.
• Roller shutters jammed by impact: we can overboard the opening after isolating the shutter.
• Rooflights: we use roof-safe access methods and board with weatherproofing to shed water.
• If structural issues are suspected, we’ll flag the need for a structural engineer before heavy fixings.

7. Documentation you can use

• Time-stamped photos (before and after)
• Itemised invoice detailing materials (e.g., 18mm ply, anti-tamper fixings)
• Work statement suitable for insurers, noting cause (accident/impact) where reported

If you’re unsure which service you’ll need, start with our emergency boarding up line—our dispatcher will advise the best approach and give a realistic ETA based on current workload and your location.

What We Can Board and Make Safe

• Windows and glazing: single, double, and shopfront panes
• Doors: front/back doors, patio sliders, commercial aluminium or timber doors
• Shopfronts: frames, mullions, and low-level kick plates affected by vehicle strike
• Roof openings: skylights, rooflights, small sections where tiles have dislodged
• Internal partitions after an impact causing unsafe glazing

Explore specific services:

• Window security: window boarding in Medway
• Damaged entry points: door boarding in Medway
• Retail and commercial frontage: shopfront boarding
• Overhead openings and leaks: roof boarding

What You Get On the Day

• A calm, experienced team focused on safety first
• Clear explanation of options before we fix into frames or masonry
• Materials to suit the opening and duration required
• Anti-tamper fixings on external boards as standard
• Neat finish with all edges covered and no exposed fixings where avoidable
• Temporary access solution if needed (e.g., steel door)
• Rubbish removal for broken glass and damaged materials we replace
• Photos and paperwork for your insurer

We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked. We regularly liaise with facility managers, landlords, letting agents, and insurers; if you need a more formal risk assessment or method statement (RAMS) for commercial premises, let us know when you call.

Insurance and Accident Damage

Accidents are often covered under buildings insurance, but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors; however, we provide the documentation insurers typically request:

• Photos (before and after)
• Itemised invoice and materials list
• Description of cause where reported (e.g., vehicle impact, accidental breakage)

Tips:

• Keep your incident notes and any police reference if a collision in a public area is involved.
• Take your own photos before we arrive if safe to do so.
• Contact your insurer early and ask what they need; we can address specific documentation requests.

More detail: See our insurance claims guidance and pricing factors to understand what affects cost. We don’t quote fixed prices online because every opening and situation is different.

Aftercare and Next Steps

Boarding is a temporary measure. You may need:

• Glazing replacement via a glazier (we can leave clear access for measurements)
• Door/frame repair or replacement by a joiner or door specialist
• Shutter repair where applicable
• Further weatherproofing if the area remains exposed for more than a few days

We can return to reboard or adjust if circumstances change (for example, if a survey requires temporary removal and refit). If you expect a longer void period, consider medium-term security:

• Temporary steel doors for controlled access
• Steel security screens for vacant properties (see vacant property)

Typical Accident Scenario in Medway

A typical call-out might involve a small retail unit in ME7 where a delivery trolley has smashed the lower pane of a toughened glass shopfront mid-afternoon. Staff report sharp edges and the inability to secure the shutter fully because fragments are obstructing the track.

What we’d do:

• Attend with PPE, cordon the area, and safely remove loose glass.
• Clear the shutter track, test operation, and leave it safe.
• Measure and cut 18mm exterior-grade plywood to span the opening, with intermediate bracing to reduce flex.
• Fix with anti-tamper screws into sound frame members; where the frame is racked, anchor to masonry with appropriate plugs and washers.
• Install weather sheeting behind the board due to forecast rain.
• Provide photos and a work statement for the shop’s insurer, noting accidental impact by a delivery trolley.
• Advise on follow-up with their glazier and offer re-attendance if access is needed for measurements.

How Quickly Can We Attend?

Attendance varies by time of day, workload, and location across ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8. We prioritise urgent calls and out of hours incidents, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA when you ring. If it’s unsafe, we’ll help you stabilise until we arrive.

For immediate help, call 01634 980 080. For planned works, you can also email us.

FAQs: Accident Damage in Medway

Can you make my property safe tonight if a window is smashed by accident?

Yes. We handle out of hours call-outs across Medway for smashed windows and doors. Call 01634 980 080 and we’ll provide an ETA and make the opening safe and secure.

What materials do you use to board up after an impact?

Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or external openings and 12mm OSB for smaller, non-load-bearing areas. External boards use anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from the outside.

The door frame is twisted after a knock—can you still secure it?

Often yes. If the frame won’t take standard fixings, we may span to brickwork or fit a temporary steel door so you can still access the property securely. We’ll explain options before drilling or anchoring.

Will boarding damage my frames or walls?

We aim for non-destructive methods first. If the frame is sound, we’ll use frame-friendly fixings. Where that’s not viable due to damage, we’ll discuss minimal, secure anchor points with you before proceeding.

Do you cover all of ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8?

Yes—across Medway’s main postcodes including residential streets, industrial estates, and high streets. We prioritise urgent calls and provide a realistic ETA on the phone.

Is accident damage boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, but policies differ. Contact your insurer early. We provide photos, itemised invoices, and a work statement to support a claim but we’re not adjusters.

How long will the boards stay in place?

Boards are a temporary measure—days to weeks depending on replacement timeframes. For longer periods or vacant properties, ask about medium-term options like temporary steel doors or security screens.

Can you help with rooflights or skylights damaged by debris?

Yes. We carry suitable materials for roof boarding and will apply weatherproofing to protect the interior. See our roof boarding service.

Clear Next Steps

• Need urgent help now? Call 01634 980 080 for immediate assistance.
• Prefer guidance first? Read about our emergency boarding up.
• Looking for a specific solution? Explore window boarding, door boarding, shopfront boarding, or roof boarding.

Ready to secure your property in Medway? Call 01634 980 080 or email us for fast, professional accident damage boarding up.