Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary
Boarding up doors and windows is a crucial step to secure the structure before a storm hits. This will protect your home from vandalism and theft.
A vacant building is an invitation to vandals, thieves and squatters. A professional board-up should include carriage bolts that can only be removed on the inside and they will be measured to the door frames.
Protection from vandals
A vacant property is an ideal location for vandals, thieves and squatters. The act of boarding up a property that has been damaged, smashed down or destroyed provides valuable protection from such criminals. This is especially crucial for businesses and homes which are in the process of renovations or construction. mile-end emergency boarding up might be empty for a time, so boarding up windows and doors will prevent criminals from entering until the work is completed.
A boarding-up service will not only shield your home from vandals, but also from weather-related damage. A damaged or damaged door or window is a tempting target for burglars since it allows them to look inside your home. A boarding service will make sure that all doors and windows are closed, and that every entry point is secured to prevent cold air, water, and debris from getting into the structure.
Plywood is typically used as a boarding up solution, but it doesn't provide the same protection as steel security screens. Plywood is typically anchored into place with screws that can be removed by offenders with the proper tools. By contrast, the specialist anti-tamper fixings used to secure steel screens into place are extremely difficult to get rid of without the appropriate tool.
Steel screen is a efficient method of securing the entry points to your investment property. The initial cost of the materials is a small amount compared to the potential damage or loss that could be caused by a break-In or vandalism incident in the building that is vacant.
A professional boarding-up service will also install doors that have locking mechanisms. These locks keep criminals and squatters out and give homeowners peace of mind while they are going on vacation. You can also ask a friend or neighbor to look over your property frequently to ensure that it is maintained. These simple measures can keep burglars away from attacking your business or home. It is crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your investment property.
Animals are protected from
The boards offer protection against animals that try to gain access to the property for any variety of reasons, such as shelter for the night or out of curiosity. If an animal gets inside the home, it could cause a wide variety of issues, ranging from damage to the structure to health hazards. The practice of boarding up doors and windows helps keep out animals that could be dangerous as well as keeping children and pets safe too. The openings on the second and higher floors should not be fenced off in the event that they are only accessible via ladders, or if they are only accessible from adjacent properties, stairwells or fire escapes.
Protection against the elements
The boards protect the windows and doors from damage by debris and wind during an event of storm. It also helps prevent vandalism and break-ins. A home or business owner will decide the appropriate time to encase their doors and windows depending on the severity of weather. The sooner the boarding process is completed, the better protection for the property.
Boards can be secured with nails or screws. It is recommended to use nails that are long enough to go through the plywood and into the door frame. You can also use steel security doors which are firmly fixed using friction and anti-tamper screws. This combination makes it impossible to remove the panels using crowbars and gives the same level of security as traditional timber boards.
Before beginning the process of boarding up, it's important to analyze the situation and select the appropriate materials and methods. This will help you save time and money while providing the best level of protection. The assessment should include assessing vulnerability as well as identifying any potential problems and determining if reinforcement is required. It is also essential to eliminate obstacles and take of any furniture that may be in the area to ensure it is safe and simple for the process of boarding to take place.
The team will then prepare the frame and door for board installation by cleaning the surface and taking out any hardware. They will also make any needed repairs. The area will be sanded to ensure a good fit for the boards and help them stand up to wind and other forces. To avoid confusion, it's a good idea for the plywood boards to be marked with the name of the door or window they are intended to fit.
After marking the boards, they are cut to size. They will then be placed over the openings or other vulnerable areas of the building. Screws are set every few inches in order to ensure the boards are secured. Drilling pilot holes is a great idea to avoid splitting and makes insertion simpler. The boards can then be solidly secured with caulking to prevent leaks and enhance weather resistance.
Pest protection
A vacant building is basically an open door for rodents, squirrels, raccoons and rats looking for shelter or food. These animals can cause a lot of damage to your home and pose health hazards and spread disease. By boarding up windows and doors to keep pests from entering and infesting the structure.
It's not enough to board up the entry points. You must also fill in any gaps within your structure. For example, spiders and mouse pests can get through cracks that are as small as the size of a quarter. This is why it's important to install door sweeps and weather stripping on all doors to the outside to minimize the gaps between these areas.
Also, you should remove any organic debris that is a nuisance around your business or home. Keep pine straw and mulch at minimum 12 to 14 inches away from the building's foundation. Remove tree branches from the siding or roof by 12 to 14 inches. Remove any weeds growing near the base of your structure. This will prevent pests from gaining entry into your property and causing damage.
Another option to prevent insects from entering a structure is to use an air curtain. This is basically an industrial-sized fan that is attached to the ceiling, and it creates an air stream over doors, windows and entranceways. This device can be used to keep insects from entering the house. It is also useful for drive-thru window at restaurants and back shipping doors.
Remember, though, that it isn't necessary to board up openings above the first floor unless they are accessible with the aid of a ladder and can be used as a fire escape or a staircase. Avoid boarding up windows and doors in a structure that is occupied people who are squatters, as this can give the impression of being abandoned, which can attract criminal activity. If you're unsure of what to do with an empty property you should consult a professional boarding service to secure any openings and give the impression that the property is still in use.