Today’s homes are more susceptible to lightning damage than ever before. Metal building components, computers, and sensitive electric appliances are common in homes today. These lightning-sensitive features can increase a homeowner’s potential for serious damage.
A lightning strike to an unprotected home can be catastrophic. A single bolt of lightning can carry over 30 million volts of electricity. Lightning can rip through roofs, explode brick and concrete and ignite fires.
In addition to causing structural damage, a single bolt of lightning can wreak havoc with computers, electronic equipment and appliances.
Every year in the United States the number of homes struck by lightning increases. According to the Insurance Information Institute, residential lightning losses exceed a billion dollars annually and represent close to five percent of all residential insurance claims.
*Source Factory Mutual Insurance Co.
How it works.A lightning protection system neither attracts, repels or prevents a lightning strike. The lightning protection system simply provides a safe path for the lightning current to follow - allowing the harmful current to be guided safely into the ground and away from your home.
Lightning protection is not a do-it-yourself project.Lightning protection is a specialty discipline. To ensure that your lightning protection is installed in accordance with national safety standards - it is important to hire an experienced lightning protection contractor that is listed with Underwriters Laboratories. An improperly installed lightning protection system can be more dangerous than no system at all. Lightning protection systems should be installed by trained, experienced lightning protection specialists - roofers, general contractors and electricians are typically not qualified to install lightning protection systems.
