Emergency Board Up Services in Maricopa, CA

We cover broken windows, smashed doors and storm or fire openings with plywood and lumber so a damaged house or storefront stays closed to weather, animals and intruders until repairs start.

• Ground-floor windows shattered by a break-in or rock
• Exterior doors kicked in with a split jamb
• Sliding glass doors with a cracked or missing panel
• Storefront plate glass broken after a vehicle strike
• Second-story windows blown out by fire or heat
• Roof and wall holes torn open by fallen trees
• Vacant houses with entry points left wide open

Loose shards still hanging in the sash get knocked out with a hammer and dropped into a bucket, and the sill and ground below are swept so nobody steps on glass in the dark. Each opening is measured with a tape, then half-inch or five-eighths CDX plywood is ripped to size on a circular saw, sized to lap past the trim on every side. On wood-framed walls we drive three-inch exterior screws through the plywood into the framing with an impact driver, spaced about every eight to twelve inches. Where screwing into the frame isn't practical, 2x4 strongbacks go across the inside of the opening and carriage bolts pull the outside panel tight against them, which also keeps the board from being pried off. Doors that no longer latch get a full sheet screwed over the opening, with one entry left on a hasp and padlock if access is needed. Roof holes get plywood over the decking and a tarp battened down with furring strips. Photos of every opening go to the owner for the insurance claim.

Emergency board up usually takes one to three hours for a house with a few broken windows or a single damaged door. A storefront with large plate glass panels, several second-story openings that need ladders, or roof damage that needs tarping as well typically runs half a day or longer. Most crews can reach a site and close it the same night.

A small ground-floor window board up is something many homeowners can handle with a sheet of plywood, a drill and exterior screws. Upper-story openings, large storefront glass and fire-damaged framing are where ladder work, heavy panels and weakened structure make it a job for a crew. Fire and storm sites can also hide live wiring and unstable walls, so those are best left alone.

A plywood board up fastened into solid framing typically holds for several weeks to a few months while glass is ordered and repairs are scheduled. Untreated CDX starts to delaminate and gray after long exposure to rain and sun, so boards left up for many months may need paint or replacement. Vacant buildings should be checked periodically for pried edges or missing screws.