Storm Damage Boarding Up in Basingstoke (RG21–RG24)
When storms hit Basingstoke, they don’t always wait for business hours. High winds, driving rain and flying debris can leave windows smashed, doors forced, or roof openings exposed across RG21, RG22, RG23 and RG24. If you’re looking at a broken pane, a damaged door, or water coming in through a skylight right now, take a breath—we help people through this situation every week. We provide emergency boarding up Basingstoke-wide to make safe, secure property, and keep the weather out until permanent repairs can be arranged.
We’re local, fully insured, and have been trading for 10+ years. Our DBS-checked technicians operate 24/7. Call us for calm, practical advice and a realistic ETA for urgent call-outs.
Need urgent help with storm damage? Call 01256 631 114. If it’s safe, take a few photos before we arrive for your insurer.
When Storm Damage Happens—and What’s at Stake
Storm damage in Basingstoke typically follows patterns we see across Hampshire, but local factors matter:
- Exposed corners of homes in RG22 (Hatch Warren, Kempshott) tend to take the brunt of crosswinds
- Larger panes on commercial units around RG24 (Chineham, Daneshill) are vulnerable to pressure changes and debris
- Older timber frames across RG23 (Worting, Oakley, Rooksdown) can rack or swell, making doors and windows fail under wind load
- Town centre flats and shopfronts in RG21 can suffer uplift and suction effects, loosening skylights and rooflights
Common storm scenarios we attend:
- Smashed window from blown debris or a fallen branch
- Frame distortion causing glass to crack or pop out
- Patio or French doors forced off track by wind pressure
- Rooflights/skylights damaged, letting water in
- Soffits/fascia panels dislodged, exposing roof edges
- Outbuildings and garages with damaged doors or panels
What’s at risk if you wait:
- Water ingress damaging floors, plaster, and electrics
- Security exposure—an easy entry point for opportunists
- Further glass failure from vibration and gusting
- Insurer disputes if the property isn’t made safe promptly
Our job is to stop the spiral: make safe, keep weather out, and secure property so you can plan permanent repairs.
How We Secure Properties After Storm Damage
We don’t just throw sheets over holes. We size, fit and fix materials so they hold under ongoing bad weather and deter interference. Here’s our practical approach:
- Immediate assessment and safety
- We check for overhead hazards, live electrics and unstable glazing
- We cordon off unsafe areas and wear PPE
- If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding
- Materials matched to the opening
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood is our standard for most doors and larger windows—rigid, weather-resistant, and secure
- 12mm OSB may be suitable for smaller, less exposed openings
- Weatherproof membranes or temporary flashing tapes where water tracking is a risk around roof penetrations
- Temporary steel doors for compromised entrances that need ongoing access and stronger security
- Secure fixing methods
- We use anti-tamper fixings and through-bolting where appropriate so boards can’t be removed from outside—critical if the property will be unattended
- We avoid damaging intact frames where possible, using internal bracing systems and packers to spread load
- On masonry surrounds, we use shield anchors with appropriate edge distances to prevent cracking
- Weatherproofing details
- We overhang boards to shed water without blocking necessary ventilation
- We seal critical perimeters with external-grade tape or sealant when water ingress is active
- For roof and skylight issues, we create a mechanically fixed cover that won’t lift under gusts, sometimes adding a secondary membrane as a belt-and-braces approach
- Access and documentation
- If you need to use the door we’ve boarded, we’ll discuss fitment or a temporary steel door option so you can lock up properly
- We provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement—useful for insurance claims
If you’re comparing options, see window boarding in Basingstoke, door boarding up, shopfront boarding, and roof & skylight boarding. For out-of-hours incidents, our emergency boarding up page explains what to expect.
Typical Storm Call-Out in RG21–RG24
A typical call-out might involve a semi-detached home in RG23 after an overnight squall. At around 1:15am, a customer reports a smashed upstairs casement window facing the prevailing wind, with rain driving in. On arrival, we isolate the area, remove loose shards and assess the timber frame, which is wet but intact. We size and cut 18mm exterior-grade plywood to the opening, fit internal packers to avoid crushing the softened timber, and secure the board with anti-tamper fixings through to solid framing. We seal the windward edge to limit water tracking, leaving a small vent gap at the top to avoid condensation build-up. Before leaving, we photograph the damage and finished work for the customer, advise on airing the room the next day, and suggest they contact their insurer with our documents attached.
For a ground-floor patio door blown off track, we may recommend a temporary steel door solution if the locking mechanism is compromised and the property needs safe re-entry over several days.
What To Do Right Now After Storm Damage
If you’re dealing with a smashed window, broken door, or damaged rooflight:
- Stay safe
- Keep people and pets away from broken glass and unstable sections
- If water is reaching electrics, turn off the affected circuit at the consumer unit if safe
- Document the scene
- Take photos and short video clips of the damage and surroundings before moving items, if it’s safe to do so
- Keep your policy number and any home emergency cover details to hand
- Call us to secure the property
- We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible
- We’ll give you a realistic ETA over the phone based on workload and conditions
- Need help now? Call 01256 631 114
- Notify the insurer
- Report the incident early and note the claim reference
- We’ll provide an itemised invoice, time-stamped photos, and a brief work statement—documents insurers typically request
- We’re not loss adjusters, but we’ll cooperate with your process
If the incident has caused structural concerns, call the relevant emergency services first. For pure glazing and access issues, we can usually make safe and secure property the same day or night.
Services That Often Apply After Storms
- Window boarding in Basingstoke: Broken panes, cracked units, or failed sashes
- Door boarding up: Compromised front/back doors, patio doors off track, temporary steel doors
- Shopfront boarding: Large panes, mullions, and glazing beads displaced by wind
- Roof & skylight boarding: Damaged rooflights, exposed openings, temporary weatherproofing
Out of hours? Go straight to emergency boarding up and call 01256 631 114.
Materials and Methods We Trust in Bad Weather
We choose materials and fixings with storms in mind:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for rigidity on larger openings and windward faces
- 12mm OSB for smaller, less exposed apertures where weight and speed matter
- Anti-tamper fixings to prevent outside removal and resist vibration
- Internal bracing bars on uPVC frames to avoid crush damage when glazing beads are missing
- Temporary membranes and tapes to divert water without trapping it
- Steel temporary doors where a lockable, medium-term solution is better than timber boarding
Why this matters: Storms don’t stop when we leave. Correct board sizing, edge distances, and secure fixing points prevent rattling, lift, and water tracking that can turn a minor break into a major claim.
What You’ll Receive From Us
- A calm, clear plan and a realistic ETA on the phone
- On-site safety-first assessment and immediate “make safe”
- Professionally installed temporary boarding or steel-door solution
- Time-stamped photos before and after, plus a clear, itemised invoice
- A brief work statement you can share with your insurer
- Honest advice on next steps and timeframes for permanent repairs
We don’t overpromise guaranteed arrival times—weather and workload can affect travel across RG21–RG24—but we prioritise urgent storm calls and keep you updated.
Local Coverage Across RG21–RG24
We cover storm damage boarding up throughout Basingstoke and the surrounding areas:
- RG21: Basingstoke Town Centre, Eastrop, Basing View
- RG22: Hatch Warren, Kempshott, Brighton Hill, South Ham
- RG23: Worting, Winklebury, Oakley, Rooksdown
- RG24: Chineham, Lychpit, Daneshill, Old Basing, Sherborne St John, Popley
Looking for locality-specific guidance? See our area pages, for example: boarding up Basingstoke Town Centre (RG21), boarding up Oakley (RG23), or boarding up Chineham (RG24).
FAQs: Storm Damage in Basingstoke
Can you board up a smashed window during the storm, or do we have to wait?
If it’s safe to do so, we work during bad weather and out of hours. High winds can slow cutting outside, but we’ll give a realistic ETA and method. Safety is our first step; if access is unsafe, we’ll explain temporary alternatives.
Will boarding up affect my uPVC or timber frames?
We use non-destructive methods wherever possible—internal bracing and packers to spread load—so you’re not paying for avoidable frame damage later. If the frame is already compromised, we’ll discuss the least-damaging secure option before fixing.
I’m in RG24 and my skylight is leaking after wind damage—can you make it watertight tonight?
We can install a mechanically fixed temporary cover and membrane to reduce ingress and protect the opening. Full roof repairs aren’t our remit, but our roof & skylight boarding buys you time to arrange a roofer.
How quickly can you attend storm calls in RG21–RG24?
It varies by time of day, workload and conditions. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. Call us and we’ll confirm a realistic ETA.
Is storm damage boarding covered by insurance?
Many home and commercial policies cover emergency “make safe.” Contact your insurer early, keep your claim reference handy, and we’ll provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement. See our guidance on insurance claims.
Can you secure a blown patio door so I can still use the back entrance?
Yes. For doors that need access and security, we can fit a temporary steel door or board with a planned re-entry solution. We’ll advise on the best option on-site. Start with door boarding up.
Do you handle shops and offices in the town centre after storms?
Absolutely. We regularly secure large panes and curtain wall units. See shopfront boarding and call for an out-of-hours response.
How long does temporary boarding stay in place?
Typically until your glazier or builder completes permanent repairs—anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Our fixings and materials are chosen to withstand ongoing poor weather during that period.
Ready to make safe?
Need help now? Call 01256 631 114 for emergency boarding up and storm damage make-safe across RG21–RG24. Prefer email? Write to info@boarding-up-basingstoke.co.uk and we’ll call you back promptly.