Accident Damage Boarding Up in Watford (WD1–WD25)

When accidental damage strikes—a vehicle into a shopfront, a ladder through a sash window, a ball through the patio doors—you need the opening made safe quickly. We provide professional accident damage boarding up across the WD area, including Watford town centre and surrounding postcodes WD1–WD25. We’re available 24/7 to secure properties after impacts and mishaps, from single panes to whole shopfronts.

If you need immediate help to make safe a smashed window or damaged door, call now: Call 01923 311 082. We’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone and prioritise urgent calls.

When Accident Damage Happens

Accidental damage can occur at any time and isn’t limited to break-ins. Typical scenarios in Watford and the wider WD area include:

• Vehicle strikes on shopfront glazing or corner pillars
• Delivery trolleys cracking office lobby doors
• DIY mishaps compromising residential windows or patio doors
• Storm-blown objects breaking roof lights or skylights
• Construction impacts to temporary hoardings or vacant properties
• Sports-related breaks—football, cricket, or a thrown object

Even if the building remains secure, broken glazing leaves sharp edges, exposes the interior to weather, and can invite opportunistic entry. The priority is to make safe and secure property quickly with temporary boarding, then allow repairs or replacement glazing to follow.

If you’re unsure which service you need, start with our emergency boarding up line—we’ll advise the best approach for your situation.

How We Secure Properties After Impact

Every accident is different, but our method is consistent: assess, make safe, secure, document.

1. Initial assessment and safety

• We cordon the area if needed and remove loose shards.
• We check frames, mullions, and lintels for movement or structural concerns. If we suspect structural instability, we’ll pause and advise contacting a builder or structural engineer before boarding.

2. Glazing removal and clean-up

• Remaining glass is deglazed where safe. We use PPE and glazing tools to minimise risk.
• We bag and remove accessible debris; full hazardous waste remediation is not included, but we leave the opening safely cleared.

3. Board sizing and materials

• We typically use 18mm exterior‑grade plywood for doors, large windows, and shopfronts; 12mm OSB may be used for small internal openings or secondary containment.
• For larger spans or weak frames, we add timber bracing or through-bolting to spread the load.

4. Fixing methods

• Anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended.
• Where frames are sound, we may use surface‑mounted screws with penny washers.
• If the frame is too damaged for non‑destructive fixings, we’ll explain options (including through-bolting to internal spreaders) before proceeding.

5. Weatherproofing and sealing

• Exposed edges are sealed with exterior tape or mastic where appropriate to reduce draughts and water ingress, especially for roof lights and skylights.

6. Temporary access where needed

• If a main entrance door is off its hinges or beyond repair, we can install a temporary steel door to maintain secure entry and exit.

7. Documentation you can use

• You receive time‑stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement noting cause (as reported), materials used, and measures taken—useful for insurers, landlords, or facilities records.

Need it made safe tonight? Go straight to emergency boarding up or call 01923 311 082.

Common Accident Scenarios We Handle

• Shopfront hit by a car: broken laminated panes, twisted frames, loose tiles—secure with oversized plywood, through‑bolted and braced.
• Patio door shattered: toughened glass everywhere—clear shards, board internally and externally where required, leave safe access via another door.
• Skylight cracked by debris: weatherproof temporary cover and perimeter boarding to prevent falls until roofing repairs.
• Office door impacted by delivery: hinge failure or cracked glass—fit temporary boarding or a steel door to maintain security.

For shop owners, read more about our shopfront boarding. For window-only incidents, see window boarding.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you’re dealing with accident damage in Watford or the WD area:

1. Keep people away from the broken glass and any unstable sections.
2. If a vehicle strike has affected structure, do not stand beneath damaged lintels or glazing. If in doubt, wait outside.
3. Take clear photos if safe—wide shots and close-ups.
4. If the incident involves another party (e.g., vehicle, contractor), keep their details and any police reference if reported.
5. Call us to secure property: 01923 311 082.
6. Contact your insurer early. We’ll provide an itemised invoice and photos to support your claim.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we know what documentation insurers typically ask for and will supply it.

Materials and Methods: Why Our Approach Works

• Exterior‑grade 18mm plywood: robust enough for larger openings and high‑street exposures.
• Anti‑tamper fixings: deter removal from outside, crucial for unattended sites.
• Through‑bolting with internal spreaders: used when frames are compromised—prevents further damage and adds rigidity.
• Weatherproof sealing: minimises water ingress while permanent repairs are arranged.
• Temporary steel doors: appropriate for forced entries or where a main entrance cannot be left boarded; allows keyed access.

Explore related services:

• window boarding in Watford
• door boarding and temporary steel doors
• shopfront boarding
• roof and skylight boarding

Who We Help

We work with:

• Homeowners and tenants needing a smashed window made safe
• Landlords between tenants, dealing with accidental damage during moves
• Retailers and restaurants in WD1–WD25 needing out of hours boarding up
• Offices and industrial units requiring RAMS where requested
• Managing agents and facilities teams scheduling temporary boarding during repairs

We cover all WD postcodes. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible; actual attendance varies by time of day and workload.

Aftercare and Next Steps

• We can leave ventilation gaps where moisture is a concern (post‑flood or drying).
• We can return to adjust or remove boards when your glazier or builder is ready.
• For longer‑term vacant sites, consider steel security screens—see property types: vacant property.

If the incident relates to another situation, you may also find these pages helpful:

• storm damage support
• flood damage considerations
• fire damage securing

What You Get From Us

• 24/7 boarding up in Watford and WD postcodes
• DBS‑checked technicians, fully insured, 10+ years trading
• Practical, honest advice with clear options
• Time‑stamped photos and itemised invoices for insurers
• Transparent explanation if additional measures are needed

Curious about costs and what affects them? See our pricing page. For claim tips and documentation, visit insurance claims.

FAQs: Accident Damage in Watford and the WD Area

Can you board up a large shopfront the same night?

Yes—our emergency boarding up service handles large panes. For very wide spans or twisted frames, we may use additional bracing and through‑bolting to keep it secure until glazing is replaced.

Will boarding damage my window frames?

We always try non‑destructive fixings first. If the frame is too damaged, we’ll explain options (including through‑bolts with internal spreaders) and get your consent before proceeding.

Do you cover all WD postcodes for accident damage?

Yes—WD1 through WD25, including residential streets and commercial areas in and around Watford. Call 01923 311 082 and we’ll confirm a realistic ETA.

Can you install a temporary door if my entrance is broken?

Yes. We can board or fit a temporary steel door for secure access. More details: door boarding.

What should I give my insurer after an accidental break?

Keep your photos, any third‑party details, and our documentation. We provide a statement of works, time‑stamped photos, and an itemised invoice—see insurance claims.

Do you clean up all broken glass?

We remove accessible loose shards in the work area to make it safe. Full deep cleaning or hazardous waste remediation isn’t included, but we’ll leave the opening safely secured and tidy.

Can you help if the damage is on a roof or skylight?

Yes—see roof boarding. We secure openings and weatherproof temporarily until permanent roofing work is done.

I only need a single cracked pane made safe. Is that too small?

Not at all. We handle everything from a small cracked pane to full shopfront failures. For smaller openings, 12mm OSB may be appropriate; we’ll advise on site.

Need help right now?

Need to make safe a smashed window or board up a door after an accident? Call our 24/7 team: Call 01923 311 082. Prefer email? [email protected].