Did you know that lightning strikes millions of times per day? In 2021, there were 194 million “lightning events,” to be exact.
With lightning bolts reaching temperatures up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, a lightning strike can wreak havoc on your home. Aspect Roofing Company provides superior storm damage restoration services in the event of a lightning strike.
Contact us at (319) 382-0073 to learn more about detecting the common signs your home was struck by lightning.
How a Lightning Strike Occurs
A lightning bolt travels at speeds of approximately 270,000 miles per hour, and its singular goal is to balance its negative charge with a positive one. The surface of the earth has that positive charge, and if your home happens to be in the way of the bolt’s path to the ground, your property could sustain severe damage.
There are a few ways that a home can withstand the wrath of a lightning attack. The two most common are:
- Lightning rods – These devices divert the electrical current away from the structure and direct the energy to the ground while bypassing the property.
- Power surge protection – This solution involves the installation of Surge Protective Devices combined with a grounding system to block and divert lightning bolts.
- Unplug devices – If a storm is imminent, unplug as many electrical devices as possible, including televisions, computers, portable appliances, and anything else that’s easily accessible.
Common Signs Your Home Was Struck by Lightning
You might not immediately realize that your home has been struck. The following are common signs your home was struck by lightning that will alert you to the event:
- Your power or phone lines go out
- You see sparks or a fire
- There’s an odor of melting plastic
- You smell smoke
- You observe physical property damage
- You hear something that sounds like humming or buzzing
Types of Damage
Despite having multiple layers of protection, it’s still possible for lightning to strike your home, and the damage can range from mild to catastrophic. We’ve included a list of common types of lightning damage.
Fire Damage
Damage by fire is one of the most obvious signs that your home was in the pathway of a determined bolt of lightning. The damage could be as innocuous as some melted or damaged tiles, or your entire roof can catch on fire.
Lightning is responsible for an estimated 22,600 fires per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. However, put into perspective, of those calls, about 5,000 were related to homes that had caught fire.
If lightning does penetrate your roof, it can also damage your insulation and electrical systems. An increased risk comes from pipes and roof gutters made of metal, since metal is a prime conductor of electricity. All fire damage repairs should be handled by licensed professionals.
Damaged Electrical Systems
Speaking of electricity, lightning strikes can also result in an explosive surge that has the potential to damage all of your appliances.
As you can imagine, this type of damage has the potential to be particularly catastrophic because it could end up causing permanent damage to your home’s wiring and ruin your appliances and devices.
Chimney or Roof Damage
Chimneys are typically the highest point of your home. Their relatively smaller size, combined with their tendency to stick out like a sore thumb, makes them particularly susceptible to lightning damage. The force of a lightning strike can cause massive damage to a chimney, and flying shrapnel can cause further damage to your home or any passersby.
Foundational Damage
Even if lightning doesn’t directly strike your home, it can still cause significant damage. For example, the thunderbolt that lands nearby can send shockwaves through the ground. Depending on the strength of these waves, they could crack your foundation, shatter windows, and crumble walls. If your foundation has rebar, it can travel through the grid and cause widespread damage.
Lightning Can Strike Twice
Just because your home was struck by lightning once doesn’t mean that you’re safe for all of eternity. It’s a myth that lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice. In fact, the reverse is true. Some buildings may be more likely to attract a lightning strike due to their height and other conducive properties.
What To Do After a Lightning Strike?
It’s always a good idea to equip your home with safety measures to reduce the risk of major damage from a lightning strike. However, even the most prudent planning won’t necessarily guarantee that your home will survive a storm unscathed.
By being aware of the common signs your home was struck by lightning, you can take appropriate steps to initiate repairs as soon as possible.
With more than 60 years of combined experience in the roofing industry, Aspect Roofing Company is a trusted partner for residential and commercial property owners throughout Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, IA. We provide free inspections and estimates, so please get in touch with us at (319) 382-0073 to schedule an appointment.
