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Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary

Before a storm, board up all windows and doors. This can protect your property from vandalism and theft.

A vacant building invites thieves, vandals and squatters. A professional board-up will contain carriage bolts that can only be removed from the inside, and they will be measured to the door frames.

Protection from vandals

Vacant properties can be a big draw for vandals, thieves and squatters. The security offered by boarding up a house that is damaged, destroyed, or broken down can be extremely valuable. This is especially important for homes and businesses that are undergoing renovations or construction. It’s possible that the structure will be vacant for a certain time, and closing the doors and windows will prevent access for criminals until work is complete.

A boarding up service will not only protect your property from vandals but also from weather damage. Criminals are attracted by a damaged or broken door or window since they can see inside. A boarding-up service will ensure that all the windows and doors are shut and that any entry points are secured to block debris, water and cold air from entering the structure.

Plywood is typically used as a boarding up solution, but it does not offer as much protection as steel security screens. Plywood is usually fixed to the wall using screws that can be removed by infractions using the appropriate tools. The specialist anti-tampering fixings used to hold the screens of steel are extremely hard to remove without the right tools.

Steel screen is a efficient option to secure the entry points to your investment property. The small upfront cost of the materials is negligible compared to the potential loss or damage caused by a break-In or vandalism attack on a vacant building.

A boarding-up company that is professional can also install doors that have locking mechanisms. These locks will keep squatters and criminals out, and also give homeowners peace of mind when they are on vacation. You can also ask a family member or a neighbor to inspect your property regularly to ensure it’s maintained. These simple steps will deter thieves from targeting your home or business. The most important thing is to take proactive steps to safeguard your investment property before the problems begin.

Protection from animals

The boards offer protection against animals that may attempt to gain access to the property due to a number of reasons, including shelter for the night or out of curiosity. Animals who enter the home can cause many issues, from structural damage to health hazards. The act of boarding up door s and windows helps keep animals out that could be dangerous as well as keeping children and pets safe too. Openings on the second and higher floors should not be boarded up if they are only accessible via a ladder, or they are accessible only from nearby properties, stairwells or fire escapes.

Protection against the elements

The boards shield doors and windows from damage by debris and wind during a storm. Additionally it helps keep vandalism and burglaries out. Depending on the severity of the weather, a house or business owner can decide when it is appropriate to put up doors and windows. The earlier the boarding is completed, the better the security for the property.

Boards can be secured using screws or nails. It is recommended to use nails that are long enough to pass through the plywood and into the door frame. Alternatively, you can use steel security doors which are firmly fixed using friction and anti-tamper screws. This makes it impossible to remove the panels with a crowbar, and offers the same degree of security as traditional timber boards.

Before boarding up, it is important to analyze the situation and select the appropriate materials and methods. This will help you save time and money while also providing the highest degree of protection that is possible. The assessment must include assessing the area’s vulnerability, identifying potential problems and determining whether or not reinforcement is needed. To make the boarding process simpler and more secure, it is crucial to remove any obstructions and furniture from the area.

The team will prepare the door and frame to allow for the installation of the board by cleaning the surface and getting rid of any hardware. They will also make any necessary repairs. The area should be sanded in order to achieve a smooth fit and allow the boards to resist the forces of wind and other forces. It is also an excellent idea to mark the plywood boards with the name of the window or door they are meant to be used for, to avoid confusion and allow easy identification.

After the boards have been identified, they are cut to size and placed over the openings and weak spots of the building. Screws are inserted every few inches in order to secure the boards. It is a good idea to drill pilot holes prior to inserting the screws to avoid splitting and to ease insertion. The boards can then be firmly secured with caulking to prevent leaks and enhance the weather resistance.

Pest protection

A building that is empty is an open invitation to rodents, squirrels and rats who are looking for shelter or food. They can cause significant damage to property and pose health risks, including spreading disease. By boarding up windows and doors, you can stop pests from entering the structure and causing damage.

It’s not enough just to board up the entry points. You must also fill in any gaps within your structure. For example the pests of mice and spiders are able to crawl through cracks as small as the size of a quarter. For this reason, it’s essential that you install door sweeps and weather stripping on all doors to the outside to reduce the gaps in these areas.

It’s also an excellent idea to eliminate organic debris from the areas around your commercial or residential property. For instance, keep mulch and pine straw away from the foundation of your house cut tree branches between 12 and 14 inches from the roof and siding and get rid of any weeds that grow in or close to your building’s foundation. This will help to prevent pests from gaining entry into your property and causing damage.

Another thing that can be done to prevent insects from entering a vacant structure is to install an air curtain. This device is essentially an industrial-sized fan affixed to the ceiling, and it blasts an air stream over windows, doors and entranceways. This stops flying insects and other pests from entering, and it is a good idea to use it in areas such as back shipping doors and drive-thru windows at restaurants.

Be aware, however, that it’s not necessary board up openings above the first floor unless they’re easily accessible without the use of a ladder. They could be used as a fire escape or a stairwell. Avoid boarding windows and doors in a building occupied by tenants as it could give the impression of being abandoned, which can encourage criminal activity. If you’re not sure what to do about an empty property seek out a professional boarding service to secure any openings and give the impression the property is still in use.