Boarding Up Aldbury (HP23) – 24/7 Emergency Property Security
If you need boarding up in Aldbury (HP23), you’re usually dealing with a stressful situation: a smashed window, a forced door, or damage that’s left your property exposed. Our job is to make the property safe and secure quickly, using reliable temporary boarding that protects against weather, theft and further vandalism.
We cover Aldbury and the wider HP23 area, including nearby rural lanes and outlying properties where access can be trickier at night. We’re available 24/7 for emergency boarding up, and when you call we’ll talk through what’s happened, what’s been damaged, and whether anyone is at risk. We don’t promise unrealistic arrival times—road conditions and current workload matter—but we do prioritise urgent jobs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
All work is carried out by DBS-checked technicians, and we’re fully insured. If you need paperwork for a claim, we can provide an itemised invoice, a clear work description, and time-stamped photos of the security measures installed.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589
Why boarding up matters in Aldbury (HP23)
Aldbury and the surrounding HP23 area has a mix of older character properties, newer residential homes, and rural buildings—often with features that look great, but can be vulnerable when damaged (or when left temporarily unsecured). Boarding up isn’t just about covering a hole; it’s about preventing the “second incident”—opportunistic entry, water ingress overnight, or further breakage.
Common local factors we see around Aldbury include:
- Older windows and frames: Traditional timber frames and older panes can splinter or crack in a way that leaves unsafe edges and weak fixing points. A “small break” can quickly become a bigger opening if the wind gets behind it.
- Rural privacy (and quieter streets): Quieter locations can be appealing for burglars because there’s less footfall. If a property is set back from the road, it can be harder for neighbours to spot a problem quickly.
- Unoccupied buildings: Second homes, properties between tenants, or homes where the occupants are away can be targeted. If the building will be unattended, anti-tamper methods become more important.
- Vehicle impacts and access damage: In villages and along connecting roads, accidental impacts (reversing into gates, clipping a low wall, striking a garage door) can cause sudden openings that need immediate temporary boarding.
- Weather exposure: HP23 properties can be exposed to strong gusts and driving rain. A broken ground-floor window or damaged door panel is one thing; water getting into carpets, electrics, and plasterwork is another.
In Aldbury, boarding up is often required after:
- A smashed window from attempted entry or vandalism
- A forced door where the lock area is splintered or the frame is cracked
- Damage after a storm where glazing has failed or a panel has blown out
- A vulnerable or unsecured opening while you wait for a glazier, locksmith, or insurer
We’ll always explain the approach before starting. If a frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll talk you through the options (and why) so there are no surprises.
A typical Aldbury call-out (what it often looks like)
A typical call-out in Aldbury (HP23) might involve a late-evening call from a homeowner or landlord who’s discovered a board up broken window situation—often a ground-floor side window or a rear window that’s less visible from the road.
When we arrive, the first step is a quick safety and access check:
- Confirm the area is safe (and that police have attended if there’s been a break-in).
- Assess what’s damaged: glass condition, frame stability, and whether the opening is weather-exposed.
- Recommend the right temporary security: for most domestic windows this will be exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm) for strength and impact resistance. For smaller or low-risk openings, 12mm OSB may be suitable.
We then make safe by carefully removing loose shards (where safe to do so), and installing boarding using fixings that are appropriate to the frame material and the situation. If the property is likely to be left unattended, we’ll normally use anti-tamper fixings so the board can’t be easily removed from outside.
Before leaving, we’ll:
- Check for any secondary weak points (e.g., adjacent cracked panes, compromised beading, loose door panels)
- Take time-stamped photos for your records/insurance
- Provide a clear summary of what was secured and what still needs a permanent repair (glazing/frames)
The aim is simple: you can lock up and sleep, or hand the site back to a responsible person, knowing the opening is secure and weather-protected.
What to do in an emergency in Aldbury (HP23)
If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, or an accidental impact, these steps help you stay safe and protect your claim.
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If there’s immediate danger, call 999
- If you suspect someone is still on site, or there’s an ongoing crime, don’t confront anyone.
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If it’s a burglary or attempted entry, call 101 (or your insurer’s emergency line)
- Ask for and keep your crime reference number. Insurers often request it.
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Take photos before anything is moved (if safe)
- Capture the broken area, wider shots of the room, and any tool marks or damage to frames/locks. If it’s raining, don’t waste time—take quick photos then focus on stopping ingress.
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Keep people away from the opening
- Broken glass can travel further than you think. Keep children and pets out of the room.
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If weather is coming in, prioritise “temporary protection”
- You can place towels/bins to catch water inside, but avoid taping plastic directly over broken glass where it could tear and worsen the break. Proper temporary boarding is far more reliable.
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Call us to secure the property
- Tell us what’s damaged (window/door), whether it’s ground floor, and whether anyone is on site. If access is via a side gate or a shared driveway, mention that too—rural properties can be hard to locate without good directions.
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Document what you spend
- Keep receipts and note times. We’ll provide an itemised invoice and photos—useful for insurance claims. (We’re not loss adjusters, but we’ll give you documentation insurers typically ask for.)
If you need to leave the property while waiting, do so only if it’s safe—and if possible, ask a neighbour or family member to be present. If that’s not possible, tell us; we’ll plan the safest approach on arrival.
Our local coverage around Aldbury
We provide boarding up across HP23, including Aldbury and surrounding communities where properties may be spread out and access can be less straightforward late at night.
Nearby areas we also cover include:
If you’re not sure whether your location counts as Aldbury/HP23, call and we’ll confirm over the phone and talk you through the best next step.
Aldbury (HP23) boarding up FAQs
How quickly can you attend Aldbury in an emergency?
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times. Access, time of day, and current workload all affect ETAs—especially in HP23 where properties may be on quieter lanes. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.
I’m near Aldbury and the window is smashed—do I need boarding up tonight?
If there’s a smashed window on the ground floor, or a reachable opening, it’s usually best to secure property the same night. Even if nothing has been stolen, the bigger risk is someone returning or weather damage overnight.
Can you board up older timber windows without causing extra damage?
Often, yes. We choose fixing methods based on the condition of the frame and whether a non-destructive approach is possible. If the timber is rotten or split, we’ll explain the safest way to make safe and secure the opening—sometimes that does require more robust fixing, but we’ll talk you through it first.
Do you handle forced doors as well as windows in Aldbury?
Yes. If you need to board up door damage after an attempted break-in (splintered frame, kicked panel, lock area blown out), we can secure it temporarily so the property can be locked and left safely.
My property is empty between tenants in HP23—what’s the best way to secure it?
Vacant properties can be targeted because it’s obvious when no one is around. Depending on the risk level and how long it will be empty, we’ll advise a suitable temporary security solution and fitting method, including anti-tamper options to reduce the chance of removal from outside.
Can you board up a shopfront or commercial glazing in the HP23 area?
Yes—HP23 includes small businesses as well as residential properties. If you’ve had a breakage and need your shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent entry, we can secure the opening and provide documentation for your insurer or facilities team.
Will my insurer cover emergency boarding up in Aldbury?
Many policies do cover emergency measures that prevent further damage (and reduce risk). Cover varies by policy, so it’s worth calling your insurer promptly. We can provide the practical documentation insurers commonly request: photos, a clear work description, and an itemised invoice.
What should I do while I’m waiting for you to arrive?
Stay safe and keep away from broken glass. If it’s a suspected break-in, wait for police advice. If weather is entering, use containers/towels to limit water spread, and keep electrics away from wet areas. If you can, take a few photos for your records before anything changes.
Call now for boarding up in Aldbury (HP23)
If you need emergency boarding up or temporary boarding in Aldbury, we’re here 24/7 to help you secure the property and reduce further risk.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589. Prefer a callback? Phone us and we’ll take your details, assess the damage, and come back to you promptly with the next steps. You can also email info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk.