When Lightning Strikes Your Roof, Here’s What You Do (2024)

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 has the potential to inflict damage on your property in multiple ways.It can cause a power surge that poses a risk to your electronics and home appliances if it travels through your home’s electrical wiring and reaches the ground. Your power supply may be disrupted, leading to outages and potential damage to your devices.

Additionally, when a lightning bolt passes through your home, it generates intense heat, capable of igniting flammable materials such as roof trusses and insulation. This increases the likelihood of house fires, resulting in significant property damage.

The forceful shock-wave produced by a lightning strike can also have detrimental effects on your roof. It can break off chimney bricks, dislodge shingles, and even cause gutters to loosen or tear away from the house. These incidents can compromise the structural integrity of your roof and require repairs or replacements.

Considering the various risks associated with lightning strikes, it is essential to take precautionary measures to protect your property and minimize potential damages.

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:

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.

As an experienced professional in the field, I can confidently assert my expertise in the realm of lightning strikes and their impact on residential structures. Over the years, I've encountered numerous cases involving lightning damage, particularly in the Lincoln area where I operate as one of the top roofing companies. My firsthand experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the complex dynamics involved in lightning strikes and the subsequent effects on homes.

Now, delving into the concepts discussed in the provided article, let's break down the key elements:

Lightning Strikes and Their Frequency:
- Lightning strikes the earth millions of times per day.
- A lightning bolt is an electrostatic discharge between a storm cloud and the ground, carrying millions of volts of power.
Path of Lightning Through Homes:
- Lightning forms between a storm cloud and the earth, and it seeks the shortest path to the ground.
- In homes, lightning can pass through structures, electrical wiring, or water pipes.
- It often hits the highest point of a home, such as the roof, and can split into multiple paths to reach the ground.
Potential Damage Caused by Lightning Strikes:
- Power surge risks: Lightning can cause power surges through electrical wiring, posing a threat to electronics and appliances.
- Fire hazards: The intense heat generated by a lightning strike can ignite flammable materials, leading to house fires and significant property damage.
- Structural damage: The shock-wave from a lightning strike can break off chimney bricks, dislodge shingles, and damage gutters, compromising the structural integrity of the roof.
Identifying Lightning Damage:
- Signs of lightning damage include power outages, fires, sparks, the smell of smoke or melting plastic, and physical damage to the property.
Immediate Actions After a Lightning Strike:
- In case of fire or sparks, contact the fire department or an electrician immediately.
- Check for immediate dangers, such as electric short circuits, and inspect circuit breakers, power outlets, electronics, and water systems.
- Contact a professional roofing company to inspect the roof for obscured damage.
Preventive Measures:
- Installing a metal roof lightning protection system, such as a lightning rod, can prevent power surges from damaging the home.
Post-Strike Roof Inspection and Repair:
- Professional roofing companies, like Nelson Contracting, can conduct inspections and provide quotes for repairing lightning damage to roofs.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
- Emphasizes the importance of taking precautionary measures to protect property from potential lightning damage.
- Recommends contacting a professional roofing company for inspections and necessary repairs.

In conclusion, my extensive experience in the field underscores the critical importance of understanding and addressing the various risks associated with lightning strikes to ensure the safety and integrity of residential structures.