The Effects of Lightning on Your Home

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

The Effects of Lightning on Your Home

In your average storm, lightning discharges thousands of times. It can strike trees, ground, buildings and homes. These bolts are powerful, unpredictable forces of nature that have the potential to cause a tremendous amount of damage. When it strikes your home, it can result in a lightning fire, electrical failure and shockwave damage if you don't have some form of suppression.

Fire Damage
Fire is by far the biggest threat this powerful form of electricity poses. The electrical current produced can pass through and burn materials such as:

• Wood
• Metal
• Drywall
• Wiring

These materials are easy to ignite, creating the perfect conditions for a house fire. If you have a fire inside your home, you will need to make sure it is safe again. To do this, call a fire damage remediation company in Delray Beach, FL.

Electrical Failure
Lightning can also cause a very powerful surge of electricity. This surge seeks to find its way to the ground and will follow any path that is conductive. It will damage wiring, electronics and anything else in its way. It easily melts the conduit and can certainly fry most appliances, including air conditioners, water heaters and refrigerators.
This form of electricity is so powerful that a direct strike can leave scorch marks on interior and exterior walls where it followed the home's electrical system. It can also cause a lightning fire when the wiring heats up.

Shockwave Damage
When a bolt strikes the ground, it creates a shockwave, which we hear in the form of thunder. When a structure is close enough to this shockwave, it can be very dangerous. The shockwaves can easily crack concrete, wood, cinderblock, stone and other materials. It has also been known to shatter windows, blow out walls, crack foundations and throw shrapnel.
Lightning fire, shockwaves and electrical surges are all very dangerous and damaging. Your home can be subjected to all three during a direct lightning strike. If you live in an area that storms frequently, you might want to find some form of electrical suppression.