Property Boarding Up Situations in Maidstone (ME1–ME20)

When something goes wrong at a property—whether it’s a break-in, storm damage, vandalism, a small fire, or an accident—your first priority is safety. The second is stopping the situation getting worse: keeping the building weather-tight, preventing opportunistic entry, and protecting the contents until repairs can be arranged.

This page explains the most common situations that lead people to call boarding up Maidstone services, what to do immediately, and how we help across Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20). If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call us now.

Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.

When should you consider boarding up?

Boarding up isn’t only for “big” incidents. It’s often the sensible, temporary measure that prevents a manageable problem turning into a costly one—especially in poor weather, or if the property will be empty overnight.

You should consider boarding up if:

  • A window or door has been forced, smashed, cracked, or is no longer secure
  • A shopfront has been damaged and the premises can’t be locked up safely
  • Roof tiles, skylights, or flat roof sections have been compromised (risk of water ingress)
  • The property is vacant after an incident (or between tenants) and needs immediate security
  • You’re waiting on glazing, joinery, or insurance approval and need a safe interim solution

If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary, call and describe what’s happened. We’ll talk you through the practical options and, where relevant, the difference between window boarding in Maidstone and door boarding up, or more robust measures for longer-term security.

What to do first (practical steps you can take)

In stressful situations, it helps to have a simple checklist. Here’s what we recommend—without putting yourself at risk.

  1. Make sure everyone is safe. If there’s an immediate threat (intruder nearby, exposed wiring, structural movement), move away and call 999.
  2. If it’s a crime, report it. For burglary/vandalism, get a police reference number. Insurers often ask for it.
  3. Take photos if it’s safe. Wide shots and close-ups of damage help with claims and repairs. Don’t touch glass or damaged frames.
  4. Prevent further damage where possible. If rain is coming in, move valuables away from the opening. Avoid makeshift fixes that could cause injury or worsen the damage.
  5. Call us to secure the property. We’ll advise on the right method and materials for your situation and the type of opening.

For a fast response outside normal hours, use our 24 hour emergency boarding up in Maidstone page as your starting point.

Common situations we help with across Maidstone and the ME postcodes

Maidstone has a real mix: Victorian and Edwardian terraces around the town centre and along key routes like Tonbridge Road and Loose Road; 1930s semis and post-war estates across areas such as Park Wood and Senacre; and modern flats and commercial units nearer transport links like Maidstone East/West and the river corridor. Each setting comes with different access, glazing types, and security needs.

Below are the most common scenarios we’re called to.

After a burglary or attempted break-in

Forced entry often leaves a property exposed in multiple ways: a splintered door frame, a smashed pane near the lock, or a damaged multipoint mechanism that won’t engage properly.

We’re commonly asked to help when:

  • A front or back door has been kicked in and the frame is cracked
  • A ground-floor window has been smashed to reach a latch or key
  • The lock is intact but the surrounding panel/side-light is broken
  • The property is unoccupied after police attendance and needs securing

Depending on what’s damaged, we may recommend door boarding in Maidstone or a temporary steel door if the opening needs secure access while repairs are arranged. For broken glazing, window boarding is often the quickest route to making the home safe and preventing repeat entry.

For more detailed guidance, see boarding up after burglary repairs.

What you can do while you’re waiting

  • Keep your police reference number to hand
  • Don’t clear up glass until photos have been taken (if safe)
  • If the door won’t close, avoid leaving anyone alone at the property

After vandalism (including smashed windows and shop damage)

Vandalism is upsetting because it feels random—and it’s often targeted at street-facing glazing. We regularly board up:

  • Smashed bay windows and side windows on residential streets
  • Communal door panels and ground-floor windows in blocks of flats
  • Shopfront glazing, doors and lower panels in retail parades
  • Repeated damage on empty buildings

For commercial premises, speed matters: you may need to secure the frontage so staff can lock up safely, protect stock, and reduce the risk of further damage overnight. We can provide shopfront boarding in Maidstone using appropriately sized exterior-grade boards and fixings designed to resist removal from outside.

For vandalism-specific advice, read vandalism repair and boarding up.

After storm damage (wind, fallen branches, flying debris)

Strong winds and heavy rain can quickly turn a small failure into a major leak—especially if roof coverings lift or a window cracks and then “goes” during a gust.

Common call-outs include:

  • A tree branch through a window or conservatory panel
  • Tiles/slates dislodged, exposing felt or decking
  • Damaged skylights or rooflights on extensions
  • Wind-driven rain entering through compromised frames

We can secure vulnerable openings and help make the building weather-resistant while you arrange a roofer or glazier. Where access is safe and suitable, we may recommend roof boarding in Maidstone to protect against further water ingress. If the opening is at ground level, window boarding is usually the immediate priority.

More on this situation here: storm damage boarding and securing.

After a fire (smoke damage, broken windows, forced entry by emergency services)

After a fire—even a contained one—windows and doors can be compromised. Fire crews may have forced entry, glazing can crack from heat, and frames can be left warped or unsafe.

Our role is security and weather protection, not restoration. We can:

  • Board up broken windows and damaged doors
  • Fit a temporary steel door where a doorway can’t be secured normally
  • Help prevent further unauthorised access while assessments and repairs are arranged

We’re not smoke/odour remediation specialists and we’re not loss adjusters—but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically request (photos, work description, and an itemised invoice).

See fire damage boarding up for practical next steps.

After flooding (including burst pipes and surface water)

Flooding causes different problems: frames can swell, doors may not close, and once water recedes you’re left with a property that’s vulnerable and sometimes impossible to secure with normal locks.

We often see:

  • Timber doors that won’t shut after water exposure
  • Ground-floor frames that have twisted or softened
  • Basement windows compromised by water pressure or debris
  • Properties needing ventilation as they dry out, while staying secure

Where appropriate, we can board or secure openings while considering airflow and ongoing drying work. If non-destructive fixing methods aren’t possible because the frame is too damaged, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

More information: flood damage boarding and securing.

After an accident or impact (vehicle strikes, building damage)

Accidental impacts happen to both homes and businesses—vehicle strikes to low walls, shopfronts, garages, and even corner properties. The risks aren’t only security: there may be structural concerns, loose glass, or unstable frames.

In these cases we typically:

  • Make the opening safe and restrict access where needed
  • Board up damaged glazing and vulnerable entry points
  • Coordinate around other trades (glaziers, builders, insurers) so the site remains secure

If there’s any doubt about structural integrity, we’ll advise you to seek the appropriate professional assessment. Our job is to secure the opening safely, not to certify building structure.

Read more: accident damage boarding up.

How our boarding up process works (what to expect)

People usually call us at a difficult moment. Our aim is to make the process straightforward and transparent.

1) A quick assessment by phone

We’ll ask practical questions (and you can send photos if you’re able):

  • What’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof)?
  • Is the property occupied or vacant?
  • Is there active water ingress, or safety hazards like loose glass?
  • Do you need access after boarding (e.g., for trades/insurer)?

2) Securing the property using the right method

We choose methods based on the opening and risk level. Typical approaches include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust protection on larger openings
  • OSB (often 12mm) for smaller or lower-risk boards where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside
  • Temporary steel doors where a doorway needs secure access during repairs
  • Steel security screens for voids needing stronger, longer-term protection (where suitable)

If there’s a cleaner, non-destructive method available (for example, fixing into mortar joints rather than frames), we’ll discuss that. If the surrounding structure is too compromised and we can’t avoid more invasive fixing, we’ll explain why before we proceed.

3) Documentation for peace of mind (and insurers)

After the job, customers commonly need paperwork. We can provide:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
  • A written description of what was done and why
  • An itemised invoice suitable for most insurance claims processes

For guidance on the claims side, see insurance claims support.

Choosing the right service from a situation

Different incidents call for different solutions. These links help you jump to the right service:

If your property will be empty for a while, it’s also worth reading about vacant property boarding up to understand longer-term security options.

FAQs about boarding up after damage in Maidstone

How quickly can you attend in an emergency?

We prioritise urgent calls, including out-of-hours, but we don’t promise fixed arrival times. Traffic around Maidstone can vary (especially near the M20, A229 and town centre routes), and every job has different access and safety considerations. If you need immediate help, use our emergency boarding up page and call: 01622 580 086.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, particularly when it’s necessary to prevent further loss after a burglary, storm, or accidental damage. Policy wording varies, and we’re not loss adjusters—but we can provide photos, a clear work description, and an itemised invoice. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

Will boarding up damage my window frames or brickwork?

We aim to use the least invasive method that still provides proper security. Where we can, we’ll fix into appropriate points and use anti-tamper methods to reduce risks. If the surrounding area is already severely damaged (for example, rotten timber or crumbling masonry), we’ll explain the safest fixing options before starting.

Can you secure a property that’s going to be empty for weeks?

Yes. For longer periods, boarding may not be the only option. Depending on the site and risk level, steel security screens or a temporary steel door can be better than repeated plywood boarding. Start with our vacant property boarding up page, or call and we’ll advise.

I’m a landlord or managing agent—can you deal directly with tenants or keyholders?

Yes, we regularly coordinate with landlords, letting agents and facilities teams. If access arrangements are needed, we’ll agree them in advance. For context, see commercial boarding up and residential boarding up.

Areas we cover in the ME postcode region

We cover Maidstone and surrounding towns and villages across ME1–ME20, including town-centre properties, commuter areas, and rural locations around the Kent downs and Medway valley.

If you’re looking for a nearby team, start here: areas we cover.

Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or for non-urgent enquiries: [email protected]