When Lightning Strikes Your Roof, Here’s What You Do
Lightning strikes the earth millions of times per day. A lightning bolt is an electrostatic discharge between a storm cloud and the ground, and it has millions of volts of power. Since lightning strikes are such a common phenomenon, your house may also be struck by lightning at some point.
Lightning forms between a storm cloud and the earth. Since a lightning bolt’s objective is to reach the ground, it will pass through your home’s structure, electrical wiring, or water pipes. A lightning bolt will typically hit the highest point of your home, which is your roof, and split up in several paths to reach the ground. As one of the top roofing companies in the Lincoln area, we have seen many lightning strikes!
What Happens When Lightning Strikes your House?
A lightning strike can cause damage to your property in several ways. Firstly, a lightning power surge can damage your electronics and home appliances if it flows to the ground via your home’s electrical wiring. If lightning strikes your home’s electrical wiring, your power will go out.
Secondly, a lightning bolt that passes through your home is incredibly hot and can set materials like roof trusses and insulation on fire. House fires as the result of lightning strikes are not unheard of, and it can cause a considerable amount of damage.
The shock wave of a lightning strike can also damage your roof by breaking off chimney bricks or shingles. Your gutters may even come loose or tear away from the house.
How Do You Know If Lightning Struck Your Home?
If you are home during the strike, you will see and hear the explosive sound and flash. There are also several signs that will indicate lightning damage:
- Your power goes out
- There is a fire or sparks
- You can smell smoke or melting plastic
- There is physical damage to your property, for example, loose bricks
- You can hear a humming or hissing sound, especially near electronics or electrical outlets
What Do You Do Next?
If you notice a fire, sparks, or a sound that indicates an electric short circuit, contact the fire department or your electrician immediately. If the strike was severe, contact the fire department, even if there is no explicit sign of a fire.
If you don’t detect any immediate danger, take the following steps:
- Check your circuit breakers, power outlets, light switches, and electronics, and landline phones to see if they are in a working condition
- Check for water leaks and open the taps in your bathrooms and kitchen to check your water pressure
- Contact a professional roofing company to inspect your roof for obscured damage
Roof Lightning Repair
You can prevent lightning damage to your roof by installing a metal roof lightning protection system. A lightning protection system consists of a roof lightning rod that averts the power surge from your home.
If a fire or shock wave damaged your roof, Nelson Contracting will carry out an inspection and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote.
Contact us today for professional and affordable roof repair services.
