What to Do If Your Window or Door Is Damaged After a Break-In or Vandalism
Experiencing a break-in or vandalism is deeply unsettling, especially when it damages your home or business. Smashed windows, forced doors, and broken locks require immediate attention. Emergency boarding up services protect your property while you arrange permanent repairs. This guide explains the essential steps to take after a break-in, including securing your property with emergency boarding up and restoring your security quickly.
Contact Police Immediately
Before taking any other action, report the break-in or vandalism to police. This is crucial for both security and insurance purposes.
Don’t touch or move anything until officers arrive. They need to gather evidence including fingerprints, photographs, and other forensic information.
Once your report is logged, you’ll receive a crime reference number. Keep this safe as you’ll need it for insurance claims and any future proceedings.
According to police advice on burglary, reporting crimes promptly helps track local crime patterns and may assist in catching offenders.
Police will assess whether the scene requires forensic examination. In serious cases, they may advise you to wait before cleaning up or making repairs.
Assess All Damage Carefully
Once police give the all-clear, carefully assess all damage to your property. This assessment is essential for emergency boarding up decisions and insurance claims.
Check Entry Points
Examine all windows and doors where entry was attempted or gained. Look for forced locks, damaged frames, and broken glass.
Check upper-floor windows and back doors that might not be immediately obvious. Burglars sometimes create multiple entry points.
Document Everything
Take photographs of all damage from multiple angles. These images provide vital evidence for insurance claims.
Make detailed notes about what was damaged, stolen, or disturbed. Include approximate times if you know when the incident occurred.
Video footage can supplement photographs, showing the full extent of damage more clearly.
Identify Security Vulnerabilities
Note which security measures failed or were bypassed. This information helps improve security after repairs are complete.
Professional residential locksmith services can assess vulnerabilities and recommend enhanced security measures.
Secure Property with Emergency Boarding Up
The most urgent task after a break-in is making your property secure again. Emergency boarding up services protect your home immediately while you arrange permanent repairs.
Why Emergency Boarding Up Matters
Broken windows and damaged doors leave your property exposed to weather, further vandalism, and additional break-ins. Emergency boarding up provides temporary but effective protection.
Open entry points also invalidate insurance policies. Most insurers require immediate security measures after damage occurs.
Weather damage through open windows can cause extensive secondary damage to interiors, furniture, and electronics. Emergency boarding up prevents these additional losses.
According to Victim Support guidance, securing property quickly helps victims feel safer and regain control after traumatic incidents.
Professional Boarding Up Services
Professional emergency boarding up involves installing secure boards over broken windows and damaged doorways. These temporary barriers prevent access while permanent repairs are arranged.
Quality boarding uses thick plywood or other robust materials that resist forced entry. Boards are securely fastened to frames with proper fixings.
Professional services ensure boards fit properly without gaps that could allow access or weather penetration. They also maintain a neat appearance that doesn’t attract further vandalism.
At Lockmate Locksmiths, we provide 24-hour emergency boarding up services across Cheshire and Wirral. Our team responds quickly regardless of the time.
DIY vs Professional Boarding
While temporary DIY boarding might seem economical, professional emergency boarding up offers important advantages.
Professionals have proper equipment, materials, and experience to secure properties effectively. They ensure boards cannot be easily removed or bypassed.
Professional services also provide insurance-compliant security, ensuring your policy remains valid. DIY efforts may not meet insurer requirements.
Emergency locksmiths are available 24/7, whereas hardware stores close at night. Professional help means immediate security regardless of when incidents occur.
Replace or Repair Damaged Locks
Beyond emergency boarding up, damaged locks require immediate attention to restore full security.
Lock Damage Assessment
Break-ins often damage lock mechanisms even when doors aren’t visibly broken. Forced entry can bend internal components or crack cylinders.
Check all locks throughout your property, not just obvious entry points. Burglars sometimes attempt multiple doors before gaining access.
Test keys in all locks to ensure they turn smoothly. Stiff or difficult locks indicate internal damage requiring replacement.
When to Replace Locks
If keys were stolen during the break-in, replace all locks immediately. You cannot know if burglars will return using stolen keys.
Seriously damaged locks should always be replaced rather than repaired. Compromised locks provide inadequate security even after repair attempts.
Consider upgrading to high-security locks during replacement. British Standard locks offer significantly better protection than standard models.
Professional emergency locksmith services provide immediate lock replacement 24/7. Don’t wait until normal business hours for this critical security measure.
Rekeying Options
If locks aren’t damaged but you’re concerned about key security, rekeying is cheaper than full replacement.
Rekeying changes the lock’s internal pins so old keys no longer work. New keys operate the lock while the mechanism stays the same.
This option works well when locks are undamaged but you want complete key control. It’s faster and more affordable than total replacement.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Notify your insurance provider immediately after securing your property with emergency boarding up and lock repairs.
Information Insurers Need
Provide your crime reference number from the police report. This proves the incident was officially reported.
Submit all photographs and documentation of damage. Comprehensive evidence speeds claim processing.
Include receipts for emergency boarding up services and lock replacements. Many policies cover these immediate security costs.
According to the Association of British Insurers, prompt notification and thorough documentation significantly improve claim outcomes.
Keep All Receipts
Save receipts for all emergency services including emergency boarding up, locksmith work, and cleaning.
Document temporary accommodation costs if your home is uninhabitable. Many policies cover hotel stays after serious break-ins.
Track time off work for dealing with the incident. Some policies include compensation for lost earnings.
Understand Your Coverage
Review your policy details to understand what’s covered. Most policies include emergency repairs and lock replacement.
Check excess amounts before authorizing repairs. Know what you’ll pay versus what insurance covers.
Ask about claim impact on future premiums. Understanding financial implications helps with decision-making.
Arrange Permanent Repairs
Once your property is temporarily secured with emergency boarding up, plan permanent repairs promptly.
Window Replacement
Contact glaziers for quotes on replacing broken windows. Double-glazed units require specialist installation.
Consider upgrading to laminated or toughened glass for better security. These resist breaking far better than standard glass.
Ensure replacement windows meet building regulations and insurance requirements. Professional installation includes necessary certifications.
Door Repairs or Replacement
Assess whether damaged doors can be repaired or require full replacement. Structural damage often necessitates new doors.
Consider security upgrades during replacement. Modern doors with multipoint locking systems offer superior protection.
Ensure frames are also checked for damage. Weakened frames compromise even the best doors and locks.
Frame Repairs
Damaged door and window frames need professional repair. Structural integrity is essential for security.
Check for hidden damage behind emergency boarding up. Water ingress through broken windows sometimes damages surrounding structures.
Enhance Security After Break-Ins
Use this opportunity to improve overall security beyond simply repairing damage.
Upgrade to High-Security Locks
Install British Standard locks meeting BS3621 standards. These provide significantly better protection than basic locks.
Consider smart locks with remote monitoring capabilities. These allow you to check lock status from anywhere.
Add additional locks to vulnerable doors. Secondary deadbolts provide backup protection.
Install Security Systems
Burglar alarms deter repeat incidents. Visible alarm boxes signal improved security to criminals.
CCTV cameras provide evidence and act as strong deterrents. Modern systems offer smartphone monitoring.
Motion-sensor lighting eliminates hiding spots around entry points. LED floodlights are economical and effective.
Strengthen Physical Security
Add security bars or grilles to vulnerable ground-floor windows. Modern designs look attractive while providing robust protection.
Consider door reinforcement products that strengthen frames against forced entry. These work alongside quality locks.
Secure gates and fencing improve perimeter security. Clear boundaries make unauthorized access obvious.
Emotional Recovery After Break-Ins
Physical security is important, but emotional recovery also matters after traumatic incidents.
Seek Support
Contact Victim Support for free, confidential help dealing with break-in trauma.
Talk to family and friends about your feelings. Many people experience anxiety, anger, or sleep problems after burglaries.
Consider counseling if symptoms persist. Professional help aids recovery from traumatic events.
Regain Control
Taking active security steps like emergency boarding up and lock replacement helps regain a sense of control.
Involving family in security planning empowers everyone. Children often feel safer knowing the home is more secure.
Establishing new routines helps move forward. Regular security checks become reassuring rather than anxious.
Conclusion
Acting quickly after a break-in or vandalism is essential for security and peace of mind. Emergency boarding up provides immediate protection while you arrange permanent repairs.
Contact police first, then secure your property with professional emergency boarding up services. Replace damaged locks immediately to restore full security.
Document everything for insurance claims and arrange permanent repairs promptly. Use this opportunity to enhance overall security beyond pre-incident levels.
Need urgent emergency boarding up after a break-in in Cheshire or Wirral? Contact Lockmate Locksmiths for immediate 24-hour response. Our experienced team provides professional boarding up, lock replacement, and complete security restoration.