Boarding Up An Abandoned House
Rachael Eslao • September 10, 2021
Boarding Up An Abandoned House
There are many reasons for which you might want to board up abandoned homes. For neighbors in a neighborhood, an abandoned house poses a host of challenges. Abandoned houses are sometimes indicative of an area that is struggling economically, but they may also represent properties that otherwise would have upward potential in a slumping economy.
Unfortunately, abandoned houses are at risk of decay as well as rodents, vandalism, arson, and more. In order to preserve the possibility of homes (some of them even historic) getting a shot at renovation, you can board them up until someone can give them the tender loving care they need.
It is advisable to hire a board-up company that works on behalf of your local city to board up windows and doors of a house with plywood. While it's not a perfect solution since it's unsightly and leaves no doubt about the building's abandonment, it's a good alternative that may protect whatever value is left of the building and discourage crime. Here are some tips on how to board up abandoned houses, unless you live in a community that prohibits plywood.
HOW TO BOARD UP ABANDONED HOUSES
Method 1
The fastest way to board up an abandoned home is to nail plywood directly to the siding, provided it is not made of masonry. Additionally, you might be able to nail into wooden window frames if you are careful not to break the glass in the process.
However, it is possible that the house will be demolished someday, so it may not matter much. If you have to nail framing, then a cordless nailer like the DeWalt framing nailer will be perfect. With this system, you don't need an air compressor, hoses, or cables. As abandoned homes are unlikely to have electrical power, this method can be quite helpful.
Method 2
Second, the house may be constructed from some type of stone or cement, or you want to be sure that the board cannot be pried off. The brace and bolt technique ought to be used here, which is also known as the tension method.
Cut one or two pieces of 2x4 to the horizontal width of the plywood and drill a hole through both pieces. Through the first 2x4, through the plywood, and then through the second 2x4, insert a carriage bolt longer than the window frame's depth, and put the nut on the bolt but don't tighten it yet.
After removing the window, place the 2x4 and plywood against the frame of the outside window. The plywood needs to be pushed through the window frame before being pulled back against the frame from the inside.
Turn the second 2x4 horizontally so it braces itself against the left and right sides of the window frame and tighten the nut. By bracing and bolting a window, you've made it even more secure than nailing or screwing from the outside.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Boarding up an abandoned house is the best way to prevent it from falling victim to vandalism, arson, or other unsavory behavior. You might just prevent things from getting worse and save a building that could shine again in the future.
In case someone in your neighborhood needs their home boarded up, or you need board up services yourself, feel free to contact Roof Tarp & Board Up!
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