Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
On a worldwide scale, lightning strikes account for billions of dollars in damage to houses, businesses, and other structures each year. When a structure is impacted by a lightning strike, the current is capable of traveling through the electrical wiring, telephone lines, or plumbing system, as well as at the direct impact point of the strike. This can result in massive damage to each of those systems as well as any appliances and electronics connected to them and the actual structure. If people or pets are nearby, they are also at risk of being harmed by the powerful voltage.
If your home has just been struck by lightning and you are wondering what to do to keep your family safe, here are some helpful tips.
Evacuate the home and call the fire department
One of the most immediate risks that arise when a home is struck by lightning is fire. This most often occurs when the bolt of lightning enters through the roof or near the top of the home and creates enough heat to cause a fire to begin. Fire, however, is also a risk when the lightning strike enters through the electrical system of the home.
When this occurs, the intense heat produced can cause surrounding materials to ignite, causing a fire. In some cases, these hot spots can smolder for some time before visible flame or smoke is produced. By calling the fire department as soon as you and your family are safely outside the home, you will be helping to lessen or prevent actual fire damage.
Call an electrical contractor to inspect wiring and determine needed repairs
Most fire departments will perform a basic inspection of a home that has been struck by lightning to determine areas in the walls, ceilings, or roof line of the structure where the temperature may seem elevated and at risk of igniting. While certainly helpful as a safety precaution for homeowners, this type of inspection will not verify whether or not the wiring is safe to use.
Contacting a reputable electrical contractor for an immediate inspection of the full-house electrical system—including the service point where the power enters the home; the control panel; and all wiring circuits, switches and outlets—is necessary to ensure the home is safe for occupancy and before connecting appliances and electronics. Electrical contractors are also able to assist homeowners with improved grounding systems to help make their home less apt to be struck by lightning again in the future.