Protect Your Home From Lightning: Tips & Solutions

Late spring and summer are the peak season for lightning strikes across Ohio. This frequent lightning activity means that homeowners are at risk for damage to both their homes and property. The good news is there are several ways to protect your home from the dangers of lightning strikes. 

In this blog, the electrical experts at Blind & Sons discuss the best ways to prepare your home for lightning storms so that you can have peace of mind, knowing that your family and property are safe this season.

What Can Happen if Your Home Is Struck By Lightning

A lightning strike can cause severe damage to your home. Even if you don’t witness the strike itself, there are clear indicators that a powerful bolt has hit your home, including:

• Damage to the roof: When lightning strikes your home, fire is the most significant cause for concern. The heat from a lightning bolt can melt through shingles and cause damage to your attic, electrical system, insulation, and more.
• Shockwave damage: A lightning strike can also cause shockwave damage, such as splits in stone, brick, concrete, and more. This is especially common in homes with chimneys.
• Electrical damage: Power surges caused by a lightning strike can damage your home’s electrical system and appliances. Signs of this include loss of power and the smell of smoke or burning plastic.

Do Surge Protectors Protect a Home From Lightning?

A whole-home surge protector is an excellent choice for homeowners looking for extra protection during a storm. These systems detect and divert excess voltage from a power surge to protect and prevent serious damage to your electrical system. 

While these systems are highly effective during surges caused by downed power lines or internal surges from large appliances, they can’t protect 100% against lightning strikes. A lightning bolt’s energy is too significant to be entirely diverted from your home. However, it will help reduce the impact, and when combined with other preventative measures like lightning rods, it can help give you greater protection. 

Tips for Protecting Your Home From Lightning During a Storm

Protecting your home, valuables, and family from the dangers of lightning strikes is critical. You can prepare for storms by following these simple tips:

• Unplug: Disconnecting valuable electronics like TVs, computers, and more to prevent a sudden surge from causing damage.
• Ground your home: A grounding system attached to your home’s electric panel allows lighting to safely travel to the ground.
• Install a lightning protection system: A lightning rod or a system of multiple rods can give excess energy from a lightning strike a place to go, minimizing the chances of sparks or side flashes.
• Install surge protectors: A whole-home surge protector can protect appliances, electronics, and your home’s electrical system from damage.

Schedule Surge Protection Installation With Blind & Sons Today

Don’t let lightning storms threaten the safety of your property. Call Blind & Sons today to ensure you’re protected. Our team has over 80 years of industry experience and offers superior service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call our experts today to learn how to best prepare for the Ohio summer!

Contact Blind & Sons today to schedule the services you need to protect your home from lightning strikes!