Dealing with residential lightning damage is probably one household disaster scenario that you’ve never even considered, but lightning strikes are far more common than most homeowners think. The issues caused by even a single indirect lightning strike can be far-reaching and result in long-lasting impacts to numerous systems throughout your property.
Common problems resulting from residential lightning strikes include electrical power surges, fires, structural damage and hidden system failures. Many of these issues aren’t readily apparent and could surface days or weeks after the initial strike.
The skilled, punctual electricians at Mister Sparky want you to be prepared to react quickly if your Miami-area property is ever affected by a lightning strike. We’re ready with all the facts on residential lightning strikes so you’ll know just what to look for and what to do if lightning ever hits close to home.
This article provides information on the risks of lightning in this coastal, storm-prone region and offers tips on preventing the damaging effects of this all-too-common problem.
Quick Takeaways
- Lightning can cause destructive power surges that damage sensitive wiring, electronics and appliances.
- A direct strike can cause roof damage, structural issues and fires.
- Serious damage may be hidden inside electrical systems.
- A professional evaluation by a knowledgeable electrician is critical after any suspected strike.
- If you believe lightning has struck your home, avoid using electrical systems, appliances and electronics until an inspection has been performed.
What Happens When Lightning Hits a House?
Cloud-to-ground lightning occurs when negatively charged particles in the clouds create electrical discharges that travel toward positively charged objects on the ground. Trees, telephone poles and building roofs are highly prone to lightning strikes because they’re the first objects these electrical charges encounter on the way to the ground.
Lightning strikes are often comprised of multiple charged streamers radiating from the main bolt. These side streamers can cause peripheral damage to objects in the vicinity of the main strike.
Most modern structures are equipped with grounding wires or poles that are intended to provide safe pathways for lightning to travel through the structure. However, these devices may not provide complete protection in the event of a direct strike.
The electricity from a lightning strike creates a strong power surge that may flow through a home’s wiring, plumbing pipes and structural materials. This surge can cause serious damage at the time of the strike as well as lingering problems later on.
Types of Damage Caused by a Lightning Strike
Any or all of the following can happen when a home is struck by a direct or nearby lightning bolt.
Electrical System Damage
Electrical breaker panels and wiring are extremely sensitive to strong power surges that may be created by a lightning strike. The added current that enters the electrical wiring can damage breakers, circuits, outlets and electrical fixtures that are directly connected to the system.
Appliance and Electronics Damage
When lightning strikes a home, televisions, HVAC systems, refrigerators, computers, wi-fi boxes and smart devices are often damaged by the sudden increase in current. These items are extremely vulnerable because they’re plugged or wired into a home’s electrical system.
Many homeowners believe that off-the-shelf surge protectors will shield their devices from damage, but most localized surge protectors are only designed to prevent problems following routine power surges. These devices are simply unable to stand up to the strong currents created by even peripheral lightning strikes.
Structural and Fire Damage
In addition to damaging electrical systems and appliances, lightning can negatively impact a building’s roof, siding and internal structural components. Small, localized fires caused by the intense heat of the lightning strike may also spread throughout the entire structure.
Signs Your House May Have Been Struck by Lightning
If you’re at home during a direct lightning strike, you’ll likely notice some combination of the following:
- An extremely bright flash with instantaneous loud, house-shaking thunder
- An unusual burning smell
- Flickering lights or a complete loss of power
- Obvious property damage in the vicinity of the strike
If you’re not at home during a lightning strike, signs to look for later include:
- Burn marks inside or outside the structure
- Visible roof or exterior damage
- Tripped breakers or electrical system problems
- Unexplained failure of several appliances or electrical devices at the same time
Is Lightning Damage Always Visible?
While many aspects of lightning damage are impossible to miss, some types of damage are far less obvious.
The weakening of internal wiring and structural components isn’t always apparent. These problems can remain hidden for a period of time and then reappear as seemingly sudden failures later on. In a worst-case scenario, a fire could occur due to hidden wiring damage from a lightning strike.
Even if everything seems normal at your home after a lightning strike, the potential for hidden damage makes it critical to seek the services of a skilled expert who can perform a thorough inspection of the property as soon as possible.
What to Do if Lightning Strikes Your Home
If lightning strikes your property while you’re there, your first priority is to ensure the safety of the people and pets who inhabit your home. Look for potential signs of fire and document any visible damage. Don’t use electrical appliances or devices, and call in a licensed professional to assess the damage right away.
Can Lightning Damage Your Electrical System Permanently?
Sound, fully functional electrical wiring is designed to function as expected with few risks, but wiring that has sustained damage is far more likely to fail or cause a sudden fire. This is especially true if the wiring has been seriously damaged by a strong, lightning-related power surge. The wiring could further degrade over time to the point that the property becomes unsafe unless the matter is promptly addressed by a knowledgeable electrician.
How to Protect Your Home from Lightning Damage
Professionally installed whole-home surge protection can supply a measure of protection from lightning damage. Upgraded grounding will also help direct the current from a lightning strike directly into the earth. If your home is particularly prone to lightning strikes due to its size or location, a dedicated lightning protection system may offer added security as well.
It’s important to keep in mind that none of these measures supplies complete protection against direct lightning strikes. Even with these systems in place, you should schedule regular electrical inspections from the team at Mister Sparky and also hire us to provide an emergency check-up after a known or suspected lightning strike.
Why a Professional Lightning Strike Evaluation Matters
Your home deserves the best protection you can give it, and this is especially true if it has been in the direct path of a lightning strike. Our personnel are standing by to:
- Locate hidden electrical system, appliance and structural damage
- Test internal wiring, breaker panels and existing grounding systems
- Prevent future failures or fire risks
- Provide insurance documentation support
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if lightning strikes your house directly?
Even a minor lightning strike can cause severe damage to your home’s important electrical systems. Appliance and structural damage can also occur.
Can lightning damage a home’s wiring without causing a fire?
Wiring damage is one of the most common consequences of a lightning strike. Problems may occur with or without a lightning-induced structural fire.
How do I know if my house was struck by lightning?
Signs to look for include scorch marks inside or outside the structure, appliances or fixtures that suddenly don’t work, tripped breakers and unexplained burning or melting smells.
Should I call an electrician after a lightning strike?
You should definitely call an electrician after a lightning strike as soon as you’ve made certain that your family members are all safe and accounted for.
Can a lightning strike damage appliances even if they still work?
Lightning can cause hidden damage to appliances and electrical systems that may pop up days or weeks after the strike occurs.
Schedule a Lightning Strike Evaluation in Miami Today
Lightning damage isn’t always obvious, and the risks can be serious if problems go undetected. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible after a lightning strike. A professional damage inspection can reduce the risks of additional problems and get your household back on track quickly.
The dependable team here at Mister Sparky possesses a wealth of collective expertise when it comes to diagnosing and repairing lightning damage, and we’re ready to serve you wherever you’re located in the greater Miami area. Our crew is available to provide a thorough lightning strike evaluation that identifies hidden damage and prevents future electrical hazards.
Don’t take chances with your home’s safety, and don’t put up with any malarky! Simply call Mister Sparky, Miami’s on-time electrician, and request an appointment today.