Roof Boarding in Harrow (HA) – Emergency & Planned Roof Securing
Roof damage is one of those problems that escalates quickly. A slipped tile, storm-lifted felt, broken skylight or a hole left after a break-in can turn into water ingress, unsafe ceilings and a property that’s exposed overnight.
Boarding Up Harrow provides roof boarding in Harrow and across the HA postcode area (HA0–HA9) to make the building secure and weather-resistant as a temporary measure, whether it’s an urgent call-out or a planned job for a vacant property.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472 for immediate assistance or email [email protected].
If your situation is urgent, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.
When roof boarding is needed (the emergency scenarios we see most)
In Harrow, roof issues often come up at the worst times: after high winds, overnight vandalism, or when a leak has already started to spread. We’re regularly called out to secure:
- Storm-damaged roof sections – missing tiles, lifted ridge lines, torn felt or damaged flashing
(see storm damage boarding) - Broken skylights and rooflights – common on extensions, stairwells and flat-roof lanterns
- Roof access after a break-in – especially where thieves have forced entry via rear extensions, garages or neighbouring boundaries
(see burglary repairs and boarding) - Fire-damaged roofs – after the fire service has made access holes or where heat has compromised the covering
(see fire damage boarding) - Accidental impact damage – falling branches, chimney pots, debris, or works gone wrong
(see accident damage boarding) - Vacant/void properties – preventing weather ingress and deterring opportunists while a property is empty
(see vacant property boarding)
Roof boarding isn’t “a repair” in the roofing sense. It’s a temporary securing and weatherproofing measure to protect the inside of the building and reduce the risk of further damage until permanent repairs can be arranged.
Roof boarding vs roof repairs: what we do (and what we don’t)
We specialise in boarding up and property securing. That means:
What we can do
- Secure roof openings and broken rooflights/skylights
- Board over damaged sections to reduce water ingress and prevent unsafe access
- Fit boards and fixings designed to be difficult to remove from outside
- Provide photos and documentation that are useful for insurers and landlords
What we don’t do
- We’re not roofers carrying out full tile replacement, leadwork or long-term felt systems
- We don’t certify structural integrity if the roof structure is compromised
(If it looks unsafe, we’ll tell you plainly and recommend you involve a roofer/structural professional before anyone accesses the area.)
If you’re unsure what you need, call and describe what’s happened. If roof boarding is the right next step, we’ll talk you through it before we attend.
Our emergency approach: securing the roof without creating more damage
With roof openings, the challenge is often access and safety—especially in Harrow where you’ll get a mix of:
- 1930s semi-detached houses with pitched roofs and rear extensions (common across HA1–HA3)
- Purpose-built blocks with flat roofs and roof hatches (seen around HA0/HA9 and busier corridors)
- Shops and mixed-use buildings where upper floors and rear service areas complicate access
We aim to secure the opening using sensible, proportionate methods. Wherever possible, we avoid unnecessary damage to surrounding frames, fascias and roof coverings.
If the frame/substrate is too broken for non-destructive fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—because sometimes the honest answer is that safe fixing points are limited and we need to create a secure anchor.
Materials we use (and why)
The right board and fixings matter more on a roof than almost anywhere else. It has to resist wind uplift, rain, and opportunistic entry.
Board types
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most roof openings and skylight boarding
Why: strong, stable, and holds fixings well. - 12mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board) for smaller openings or where weight needs to be kept down
Why: cost-effective and suitable for temporary coverage where appropriate.
We’ll choose the board thickness based on:
- opening size and shape
- exposure (wind/rain direction and height)
- access constraints
- whether the property will be left unattended
Fixings and security
Depending on the situation, we use combinations of:
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside
- Coach screws / structural fixings into sound timber (where available)
- Battening and bracing to spread load and reduce flex
- Sealed edges (where appropriate) to improve short-term weather resistance
Roof boarding is about balancing speed and safety. If it’s actively raining in and ceilings are already at risk, we’ll prioritise getting coverage in place quickly—then improve the finishing and security as conditions allow.
How roof boarding works (step-by-step)
Every job is different, but this is the typical process:
- Initial call & risk check
You tell us what’s happened and whether there’s any immediate danger (loose debris, partial collapse, live electrics, etc.). - Access planning
We’ll agree the safest route to the opening (internal loft access, external ladder access, or via a flat roof/extension where safe). - Measure & board selection
We measure the opening and cut boards to suit, allowing for secure fixing points. - Secure installation
Boards are fixed using appropriate methods for the substrate (timber, masonry surrounds, rooflight frames). - Photo documentation & handover
We can provide time-stamped photos and a clear description of what was secured and how—useful for landlords, managing agents and insurance claims.
For other vulnerable entry points at the same time, we can also arrange window boarding in Harrow or door boarding up to fully secure the property.
Common roof openings we secure in Harrow
Skylights and rooflights
Broken rooflights are a frequent call-out—especially on rear extensions and stairwells. We board over the opening in a way that:
- protects against rain
- reduces draughts
- prevents anyone gaining access through the roof
Flat roof sections
Flat roofs can fail at joins, around roof hatches, or where a covering has lifted. Roof boarding here is usually about temporary protection until a roofer can replace the membrane properly.
Loft access damage and missing tiles (limited applications)
If the issue is missing tiles alone, boarding isn’t always the right solution. However, if missing tiles have created a clear opening (or there’s an internal hole from below), boarding can be used as a temporary security/weather measure while repairs are arranged.
What you get from us
When you book roof boarding in Harrow/HA, you can expect:
- A practical, safety-first approach—especially when access is awkward
- Clear explanation of what we can secure and what needs a roofer/other trades
- Itemised invoice and a written work statement on request
- Before/after photos where safe to take them (often requested by insurers and property managers)
If you’re dealing with an insurer, our insurance claims guidance explains the type of documentation that’s typically helpful. We’re not loss adjusters, but we’ll support you with the information we can provide from site.
Roof boarding for homes, businesses and vacant properties
Roof problems don’t only happen on houses.
- For homeowners and tenants, we focus on quick securing to prevent internal damage (see residential boarding up).
- For commercial properties, roof openings can affect stock, electrics and compliance—especially if the building must be left unattended (see commercial boarding up).
- For void properties, longer-term security may be needed alongside roof boarding, such as steel security screens (speak to us about options) and regular re-checks arranged via your property manager.
If your roof damage is linked to vandalism (for example, roof access used to break skylights), see vandalism repair and boarding.
FAQs – Roof Boarding Harrow
How quickly can you attend for emergency roof boarding in Harrow?
We prioritise urgent cases, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, access constraints and the nature of the damage all affect how quickly a job can be started. The best way is to call with your postcode (HA0–HA9) and explain the situation. If it’s an emergency, use our emergency boarding up line.
Is roof boarding weatherproof?
It’s weather-resistant, not the same as a full roof repair. The goal is to reduce water ingress and exposure quickly and safely. We’ll explain what level of protection is realistic based on the opening, wind exposure and fixing points.
Do you board over broken skylights?
Yes. Skylight and rooflight boarding is one of the most common roof-related call-outs we handle. We’ll secure the opening to prevent rain and deter entry until glazing can be replaced.
Can you secure other entry points at the same time?
Yes—if a roof opening happened during a break-in, it’s common to also need door boarding or window boarding to properly secure the property.
Do you cover all HA postcodes?
Yes. We cover Harrow and the surrounding HA districts (HA0–HA9). If you’re unsure whether you’re within our service area, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
What to do right now (before we arrive)
If it’s safe to do so:
- Keep people out of the affected room/area (especially if there’s ceiling sagging or water near electrics)
- Put a bucket down and move valuables away from drips
- Take a few photos for your records/insurer
- If there’s been a crime, keep your police reference number to hand
Do not go onto a roof in poor weather or in the dark. Access and fall risks are serious, and it’s not worth an injury.
Need emergency roof boarding in Harrow?
If your roof is open to the weather or vulnerable to entry, we can help you secure it quickly and document what’s been done.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472 for immediate assistance.
Or email [email protected].
