Board-Up and Security Services
Emergency Board-Up and Security Services After Fire in Portland, OR
Immediately following a fire, the property is often left with shattered windows, compromised doors, and large openings in the walls or roof created by the fire itself or by the emergency responders. These breaches leave your home or business highly vulnerable to theft, vandalism, animal intrusion, and further weather damage from rain and wind. Rapid security is the property owner’s first duty to mitigate ongoing loss.
Our Emergency Board-Up Services provide 24/7 rapid response to secure your fire-damaged Portland property. We safely assess the compromised structure and use heavy-duty, structural lumber and plywood to seal all openings, including windows, doors, and large roof penetrations. This immediate, professional security measure protects your remaining assets, prevents secondary damage that could be denied by insurance, and ensures the safety of the site until permanent repairs can be scheduled.
REVIEWS
Our 3-Step Emergency Board-Up Process
Rapid Site Assessment and Safety Stabilization
We mobilize a team immediately to the site. We assess the structural damage and identify all points of entry. We may install minimal shoring to stabilize openings before board-up begins, prioritizing worker safety.
Professional Board-Up of Openings
We custom-cut thick, structural-grade plywood to precisely fit all broken windows, doors, and wall breaches. The boards are secured professionally to withstand weather and tampering, utilizing methods that minimize damage to existing frames.
Perimeter Security and Insurance Documentation
We secure all entry points, often padlocking doors or using specialized fasteners. We document the entire process with photos and reports, providing proof to your insurance carrier that immediate loss mitigation steps were taken.
Q&A
Why is it important to board up a fire-damaged property so quickly?
The two main reasons are insurance compliance and loss prevention. Insurance policies require immediate action to prevent further loss. If a window is broken and it rains, causing more damage, coverage may be denied if mitigation was delayed. Furthermore, unsecured fire-damaged properties are prime targets for looting and vandalism, making immediate security essential.
Can you board up large, custom-sized openings in a commercial building after a fire?
Yes. We specialize in securing all types of properties. For commercial buildings, we have the resources to board up oversized openings, including large storefront glass, loading dock areas, and significant breaches in the roof or wall created by structural collapse or fire crew access. These larger boards are often supported by internal lumber framing for maximum security.
Is the cost of emergency board-up covered by my property insurance?
Yes, the cost of emergency board-up and temporary security is almost always covered under the Loss Mitigation or Reasonable Repairs clause of standard property insurance policies. This expense is considered necessary to protect the property from further damage after the initial fire event. We typically bill this mitigation service directly to your carrier.
What materials do you use for board-up, and is it a temporary fix?
We use thick, exterior-grade plywood and durable lumber, secured with heavy-duty screws or specialized fasteners. This is a temporary but robust solution designed to protect the property until permanent repair work can be completed. It is intended to last for the duration of the reconstruction phase, which can often be several months.
Does the board-up service include securing the roof if there is a hole or large penetration?
Yes, if the roof has a hole (either from the fire or a ventilation cut by the fire department), securing it is critical. Our service includes applying a temporary tarp over the breached roof area to provide immediate waterproofing, often in conjunction with temporary shoring and boarding to prevent collapse.
