Flood Damage: What To Do Next and How We Secure Your Property in Sevenoaks

Flooding is unsettling and disruptive. Whether it’s a burst pipe, overflowing drains, or stormwater pushing through ground-floor openings, you need to make the building safe quickly and prevent further damage. We provide emergency boarding up and make-safe works across Sevenoaks and the TN13–TN15 districts—24/7, out of hours, and at short notice. If you’re dealing with flood damage right now, call 01732 900 519 for calm, practical help.

We’ve been securing properties in the area for 10+ years. Our DBS-checked technicians attend homes, shops, offices, and vacant buildings to stabilise access points, protect broken glazing, and install temporary solutions that help you secure the property while you arrange drying, repairs, and insurance. We’re fully insured and will give you itemised, insurer-friendly documentation.

Need urgent help? Call 01732 900 519 or see our emergency boarding up page.

When Flood Damage Happens—and What’s at Stake

Flood damage in Sevenoaks typically arises from:

Severe rainfall leading to surface water ingress at doors, vents, and low-level windows
Backed-up drains pushing water into basements or ground floors
Burst or compromised pipes, often after cold snaps
Water run-off affecting properties near gradients or where external drainage struggles

The immediate risks include:

Compromised doors and frames that won’t close or lock
Blown or cracked glazing due to impact or frame movement
Swollen timber that stops doors and windows sealing, inviting opportunistic theft
Electrical hazards and slipping risks inside the property
Ongoing weather exposure if openings can’t be secured the same day

Boarding up after flood damage is about securing the building envelope once water ingress is stopped or controlled. We can’t do drying or decontamination, but we can secure damaged openings, fit a temporary steel door where a door set has failed, and protect vulnerable glazing so the property is safe and lockable while restoration teams get to work.

If you’re in TN13, TN14, or TN15 and need to “make safe” tonight, call 01732 900 519.

How We Secure Flood-Damaged Properties

Every incident is different, but our approach is consistent, practical, and documented.

Initial assessment and safety

We’ll check entry is safe. If there are live electrics in standing water, we’ll advise pausing until a qualified electrician isolates circuits.
We survey damage to doors, windows, frames, and any shopfront glazing to determine the best method to secure.

Stopping further water ingress (where possible)

If there’s active ingress through a broken pane or door, we prioritise a temporary weatherproofing measure before boarding.
Note: We don’t provide pumping or drying. We focus on securing and weatherproofing openings.

Choosing the right materials

Exterior-grade 18mm plywood is our typical choice for structural boarding—robust and suitable for larger spans like shopfronts.
12mm OSB may be used for smaller, non-structural apertures or as a backing layer.
Anti-tamper fixings prevent removal from outside—important when a property will be unattended overnight.
For a failed door set, we can install a lockable temporary steel door for controlled access during restoration.

Non-destructive fixing where possible

We aim to use existing masonry or frame points with spreader plates to avoid unnecessary damage.
If the frame is too warped or rotten for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options, agree the approach, and only then proceed.

Weatherproofing and access

Where sensible, we add a membrane or sealant bead behind boarding to reduce wind-driven rain.
For commercial or managed properties, we can set up a secure access plan via a temporary steel door, with keys handed to the responsible person.

Documentation for your insurer

You’ll receive time-stamped photos, a work statement describing the cause and the steps we took, and an itemised invoice—useful for claims.

Explore the specific methods we use:

Learn about window boarding in Sevenoaks.
Read how we handle door boarding and temporary steel doors.
For larger frontages, see shopfront boarding.
If overhead glazing has been compromised, we can help with roof and skylight boarding.

Typical Flood-Damage Scenario in Sevenoaks

A typical call-out might involve a TN13 ground-floor flat after an evening downpour. Water tracking under a patio door swells the timber, the door won’t latch, and one side pane cracks from frame movement. The caller needs the property secure overnight.

What we do:

Attend out of hours to assess the patio set and adjacent pane.
Decommission the broken glass safely, protect the area, and measure accurately.
Fit 18mm exterior-grade plywood across the affected pane and partially over the door opening to create a secure, weather-resistant barrier that doesn’t trap water behind it.
Where daily access is required, we’ll instead supply a temporary steel door in the opening and board the side-light pane separately.
Provide photos, a written work statement, and an itemised invoice for the insurer.

The goal isn’t a final repair—it’s to stabilise, “make safe”, and secure the property so permanent glazing or joinery work can follow.

What To Do Right Now If You’ve Had Flood Damage

Safety first:

If safe, switch off electricity to affected areas. Avoid standing water with live circuits.
Do not force swollen doors or windows—they can split and worsen security issues.

Make the essential calls:

If there’s criminal damage or forced entry related to the incident, call the police and keep the reference number.
Call us to secure the property: 01732 900 519.
Contact your insurer early. Ask about next steps for drying and restoration; we’ll provide documentation for the make-safe works.

Document the scene:

Take clear photos before we arrive if it’s safe to do so—exterior and interior, close-ups of damage, and waterlines.
Keep any trades’ details and invoices together for your claim.

Prepare for attendance:

If we’re attending out of hours, clear a path to the affected area where possible.
We’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone. Conditions vary; we prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible.

Need urgent “make safe” tonight? Visit emergency boarding up or call 01732 900 519.

Materials and Methods We Use (And Why)

18mm exterior-grade plywood: Strong, weather-resistant, ideal for larger openings and shopfronts.
12mm OSB: Lighter option for smaller apertures and secondary layers.
Anti-tamper fixings: Prevent removal from outside—vital for unattended properties.
Temporary steel doors: A robust, lockable solution when a door set is compromised, providing controlled access for drying teams and assessors.
Sealants and membranes: Used selectively to limit wind-driven rain while allowing appropriate ventilation where needed after flooding.

The choice depends on opening size, frame condition, security risk, and whether the property will be vacant. We’ll explain the rationale on-site and agree the best route.

Insurance and Documentation

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we handle the make-safe and provide paperwork insurers typically need:

Time-stamped before/after photos
Work statement describing damage and actions taken
Itemised invoice with materials and labour separated

For more detail, see our guidance on insurance claims and an overview of what boarding up involves.

Residential, Commercial, and Vacant Properties

Residential (houses, flats, maisonettes): Swollen frames, broken patio panes, and insecure back doors are common after floods. We secure quickly so you can focus on drying and restoration. Learn more about residential properties.
Commercial (shops, offices, hospitality): Shopfronts and service entrances can fail under water pressure or debris impact. We supply out-of-hours solutions and RAMS where needed. Read about commercial properties.
Vacant/void: Standing water and repeated ingress raise security risks. Temporary steel doors and security boarding help deter access. See vacant property.

If flooding has left you with a smashed window or a door that won’t secure, we can help right away. Call 01732 900 519.

Our Process When You Call

Triage and advice: We’ll ask what’s happened, what’s damaged, and if power is safely off in affected areas.
Realistic ETA: We don’t quote fixed times, but we prioritise urgent calls and attend as soon as possible.
On arrival: Safety check, assessment, then secure with appropriate materials and fixings.
Handover: Keys for any temporary steel door, photos, itemised invoice, and a clear summary of what’s been done.

Explore relevant services:

FAQs: Flood Damage and Boarding Up in Sevenoaks

Can you attend out of hours to “make safe” after flooding?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up and make-safe works across TN13, TN14, and TN15. Call 01732 900 519 and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload and conditions.

What if my door won’t close because it’s swollen?

We can secure the opening. Options include partial boarding to stabilise the frame or installing a temporary steel door if the door set has failed. We’ll explain the pros and cons on-site.

Do you handle drying and decontamination after a flood?

No. Our role is to secure and weatherproof openings. Your insurer or restoration contractor typically handles drying, cleaning, and reinstatement. We provide the documentation they usually request.

Will boarding trap moisture inside my property?

We consider ventilation during flood scenarios. Where appropriate, we use methods that “make safe” without sealing in moisture unnecessarily. We’ll discuss options with you before fixing.

Can you board a shopfront that’s been damaged by flood debris?

Yes. For commercial frontages in Sevenoaks, we typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood with anti-tamper fixings. See shopfront boarding for how we approach larger spans.

Is this covered by insurance?

Many policies cover emergency “make safe” works following an insured event. We’re not adjusters, but we supply photos, a work statement, and an itemised invoice to support your claim. Read more: insurance claims.

I’m in TN15 and need access for drying teams—can you secure but still allow entry?

Yes. A temporary steel door provides controlled access with keys held by you or your contractor, while keeping the property secure. Learn more via door boarding.

How quickly can you get here in Sevenoaks?

Arrival varies with time of day, weather, and workload. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. When you call, we’ll give a realistic ETA.

Clear Next Steps

Need emergency boarding up or help to secure property after flooding? Call 01732 900 519.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-sevenoaks.co.uk.

We’re local, DBS-checked, fully insured, and have 10+ years’ experience helping Sevenoaks properties recover from flood damage. When you’re ready, we’ll be there to make safe and secure promptly.

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