ANATOMY OF A BOARD UP

It can be easy to spot the aftermath of a disaster in the Quad Cities. The most visible signals are boards covering windows and doors. Boarding up a property is a vital step in the restoration process. But many don’t understand how it works and why it’s so important.

Not every board up is created equal.

Boarding up happens when your home or business are no longer safe from the elements and intruders. There are at least three instances of disasters requiring board ups –

• Fires generally require plywood and 2x4s to cover windows and doors. In these cases, the damage to doors and windows can be caused by the disaster itself or the efforts of the local fire department when putting out the blaze.
• Storms often require tarping on roofs to prevent additional moisture from entering the property (which can help keep mold away).
• When accidents affect a home or business, the property may require a variety of methods – including tarps or boards.

The homeowner is responsible for securing the property.

“The most important thing people need to know is that the property needs to be secured as soon as possible,” explains Brent Werner, an operations manager with a decade of experience in the restoration business. “In a perfect world, this keeps critters, weather and wind outside where they belong.” The homeowner is responsible for securing the home or business as soon as possible. This means it happens when the storm ends or when the fire department releases the home after fighting a fire. In most cases, boarding up a home is even required by the insurance company to prevent further damage.

Time is of the essence.

Restoration companies like Werner are called in almost immediately following the disaster. “We have a truck on our lot right now that is dedicated to board ups,” says Brent. This means that when a call comes in, a crew can begin boarding up the property immediately. It rarely takes more than a half-day to board up a home and the sooner the process begins, the more likely you’ll prevent additional damage.

The boards are only the first step.

Boarding up a property is a key step in the restoration process, but it’s really just the first of many steps. After fire or water damage, working with a restoration company who is familiar with the process is critical. The process includes more than cleaning – using technology and tools to help assess and repair major damage before getting the property (and your life) back to normal.

The bottom line

When fire, water or other accidents affect your property, it can be overwhelming. But securing the property is the first step toward normal. Read more about how we help get property owners back to normal after fires and storm damage.