Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary
Boarding up doors and windows is a necessary step in securing the structure before a storm strikes. This can help protect your property from theft and vandalism.
A building that is unoccupied is an invitation to vandals, thieves, and squatters. A professional board-up will include carriage bolts which are only removed from the inside and will be weighed for the door frames.
Protection from vandals
Properties that are vacant can be an attractive target for vandals, thieves, and squatters. The protection provided by boarding up a property that is damaged, destroyed or broken down can be extremely valuable. This is particularly important for homes and businesses that are undergoing renovations or construction. It's possible that the structure will be empty for some time and boarding up the doors and windows blocks access by criminals until the work is finished.
In addition to providing protection from vandals, a boarding-up service can help to safeguard your home from damage caused by weather. Criminals are attracted to a damaged or broken door or window since they can see inside. A boarding-up service will ensure that all windows and doors are locked and that any entry points are screened to block debris, water and cold air from getting into the structure.
Plywood is often used to cover windows, but it does not provide the same level protection as steel security screens. Plywood is typically anchored into place with screws that are easily removed by criminals with the appropriate tools. The specialist anti-tampering fixings used to secure the screens of steel are extremely difficult to remove without the right tools.
Steel screen is a more efficient option to secure the entry points of your investment property. The initial cost of the materials is a small amount when compared to the possibility of damage or loss that could be caused by a break-in or vandalism incident in a vacant building.
Additionally professional boarding up service will install doors with locking mechanisms. These locks will keep out squatters and criminals, and offer peace of mind for homeowners to vacation. You can also ask a friend or a neighbor to inspect your property regularly to ensure it's maintained. These simple steps will deter burglars from attacking your home or business. It is essential to take proactive steps to protect your investment property.
Animal protection
The boards protect you from animals who may try to gain access to your property for a variety of reasons, including shelter for the night or curiosity. If an animal gets inside the home, it can cause a wide variety of issues, from structural damage to health hazards. The act of boarding up doors and windows helps keep animals out that could be dangerous as well as keeping children and pets secure as well. Openings on the second and higher floor are not recommended to be boarded 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 act of boarding up windows and doors protects them from wind and debris damage during the storm. Additionally it helps keep vandalism and burglaries out. Based on the severity of the weather, a home or business owner can decide if it is appropriate to put up doors and windows. The earlier the boarding is done and the better protection the property will be given.
The boards can be secured using nails or screws. 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 that are firmly fixed using friction and anti-tamper screws. This combination makes the panels impossible to remove with a crowbar, and provides the same security as traditional wooden boards.
Before boarding up, it is essential to assess the situation in order to select the appropriate materials and methods. This will help you save time and money, while ensuring the highest level of protection that is possible. The assessment should include assessing the location's vulnerability, identifying the potential for problems, and determining if reinforcement is needed. To make the process of boarding simpler and safer, it is important to remove any obstructions and furniture from the area.
Once the site is ready for boarding the team will prepare the door and frame by cleaning the surface, taking off all hardware, and making any required repairs. The area will then be sanded to ensure a perfect fit for the boards as well as to make them more resistant to the wind and other forces. It is also recommended to mark the plywood boards with the name of the window or door they are intended for, to avoid confusion and ensure easy identification.
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 placed every few inches in order to secure the boards. Drilling pilot holes is a good idea to avoid splitting and to make the process of insertion easier. The boards can be firmly secured with caulking to reduce leaks and increase weather resistance.
Protection from insects
A vacant building is basically an open invitation for squirrels, raccoons, mice and rats looking for shelter or food. These animals can cause significant damage to buildings and pose health risks as well as the spread of disease. By boarding up windows and doors to stop pests from entering the structure and creating damage.
It's not enough to just board up the entry points. You must also seal any gaps around your structure. For example, spiders and mouse pests can get 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 exterior doors to minimize the gaps between these areas.
It is also important to remove organic debris around your home or business. For instance, keep mulch and pine straw away from the foundation of your building and trim tree branches between 12 and 14 inches from the roof and siding, and remove any weeds growing in or near your building's base. property boarding up will prevent pests from entering your property and creating damage.
Air curtains are another method to keep pests out of an unfinished structure. It is a large industrial ceiling fan that blows air over windows doors, entranceways, and even doors. This prevents flying insects and other pests out the space, and is a good idea to use it in areas like back shipping doors or drive-thru windows in restaurants.
Be aware that it isn't required to board up openings above the 1st level unless the openings are accessible and can be used as an escape route or stairwell, or both. Avoid boarding windows and doors in a structure that is occupied tenants as it could give the impression of being abandoned, which can encourage criminal activity. If you are unsure what to do with a property that is vacant you can hire a professional board service to cover any gaps to give the impression that it's still being used.