4 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe from Lightning
When the average bolt of lightning strikes, it produces about 300 million volts (up to 30,000 amps). To help put that in perspective, the average home only utilizes 120 volts and 15 amps. Lightning can start fires, fry electronics, and cause damage to your property without warning. How do you keep your home safe from lightning damage to avoid filing property claims in central Florida? Preventative care does a lot for protecting you and your family from devastation. Here are some ways that you can provide your home with some protection from lightning.
Surge Protection
For starters, you need to make sure that you protect your electrical panel and equipment. While direct strikes of lightning to your home's exterior will cause the most catastrophic damage, electrical backlash is almost as equally devastating. The surge of electricity can cause televisions, computers, gaming systems, medical equipment, telephone, and electrical lines to become damaged (if not destroyed). Installing a hardwired surge protector is suggested for your electrical panel. This will help give your electronics a layer of protection.
Air Terminals
If your property has a higher probability of being struck by lightning, then air terminals are required. Air terminals will capture the strike. There are some rules for designing that you should consider, such as;
- Bracing Terminals that are higher than 24 Inches
- Terminals need to extend above 10 inches from the roofline
- All Roof Projections need to have an air terminal
Interconnecting Conductors
Pair with air terminals, conductors will redirect the path of the lightning strike straight to the ground. This will divert the strike from your home. Make sure these installation tips are followed:
- No less than two conductors, installed from roof to ground on opposing ends of home
- Make sure that metallic rooftop objects are bonded to the conductor system
Stay Grounded
In order for the lightning strike to be redirected and discharged to the ground, a grounding system is required. This typically includes a rod installed into the ground that is copper-bonded. Here are some important tips to keep in mind while trying to ground your home from lightning strikes:
- Ground Electrodes should have a diameter of one-half inch (at the least) by eight feet in length
- It is recommended that copper-bonded electrodes are utilized
- All grounding systems should be interconnected. Make sure the same size conductor is used.
While lightning may not strike in the same place twice, why risk your home and family on the chance that it could even strike once. Make sure you are taking the precautions needed to protect yourself in lightning storms. Don't let this catastrophe cause tragedy to your life. Stay grounded and be smart.
These are a few tips to avoid lightning damage to your home, which can save you from an extension process if you need to file property claims in central Florida.
In the event that your property or home suffers damage from lightning, you will want to trust our insurance adjusters to advocate for you. Contact Five Star Claims Adjusting to hear how we can help you today.
