Unseen Damage: What Happens When Lightning Strikes Your 
Home
If you’ve lived in the Sarasota area for any length of time, you already know that thunderstorms are an all-too-frequent occurrence here in this region. These adverse weather events pop up seemingly without warning at any time of the year, and they often bring along wind, hail and lightning that can create serious problems for local homeowners.
The signs of a direct electrical bolt hitting your home are hard to miss. A sudden strike can cause immediate, obvious damage, but the trouble doesn’t always end there. As if the immediate problems associated with an unexpected electrical strike aren’t enough, a lightning bolt can also cause hidden damage that may not be apparent for days, weeks or even months after the initial event.
Visible Versus Invisible Damage
The property issues resulting from an electrical strike can vary greatly based on whether the bolt was a direct hit or a side flash from a larger strike in the immediate vicinity of the structure. The home’s age, its materials of construction and the presence of surge protection can also affect how much damage occurs during a strike.
Even peripheral strikes can cause severe power surges that melt wiring, destroy electrical components and permanently disable appliances in the blink of an eye. Lightning can also burn trees, scorch landscaping, compromise structural components and crack foundations due to the sudden shock wave it produces.
Secondary issues after a strike may be equally as serious as the short-term impacts, but they are often harder to detect. Electrical wiring and fixtures can be weakened by a low-intensity power surge from a peripheral impact even as these devices continue to function as normal. While not immediately apparent, this kind of hidden damage can increase the risk of ongoing electrical problems and fires in the weeks or months after a lightning strike.
Other delayed issues that may result from an electrical strike include plumbing leaks caused by damaged piping, accelerated structural decline and fires in attic or wall insulation that smolder for days before fully igniting. Although rare, these problems can pose significant hazards to property and even cause loss of life if they’re not caught in time.
How Lightning Travels Into a Home
Whether a strike makes a direct or indirect hit to a building, the electricity it creates can move into and through the structure along existing wiring systems. Subsurface plumbing pipes and cable lines may allow electrical current from a ground strike to travel into a building at its lowest level. The metal contained inside reinforced concrete as well as in window and door frames provides additional conduits that promote the movement of electricity.
Most Frequently Impacted Household Systems
During a residential strike, electrical and plumbing systems are most at risk for serious damage. Other areas that may be negatively affected depending on the location and intensity of the strike include:
- Structural components
- Roofing materials
- Foundations
- Windows and doors
- Chimneys
- Computers, wi-fi routers and other electronics
- Kitchen and laundry appliances
- Interior furnishings
Potential Trouble Signs to Watch For
If you’re present at your residence during a lightning strike, you’ll likely notice some or all of the following signs:
- A brilliant flash of light and instantaneous, extremely loud thunder
- Flickering lights or a total electrical system blackout
- Popping or sizzling sounds
- An odor of burning or melting plastic
- A sudden fire inside or outside the property
Many electrical strikes occur when no one is home. In that case, the most obvious indicators of damage may include:
- Tripped breakers
- Malfunctioning or non-functioning lights and appliances
- Scorch marks on the ground and exterior surfaces
- Burned landscaping
- Cracks in windows or walls
- Unexplained roofing, foundation or structural deterioration
Steps to Take After a Direct or Near Strike
After any close electrical strike, your first priority is ensuring the safety of all people and pets in the vicinity. Call 911 immediately if you smell smoke or see flames, downed power lines or serious structural issues. Leaving the property if you can safely do so is also a good idea, especially if the hazards at the site seem to be intensifying.
After the area is stabilized, take photos to document any visible problems and place a call to your insurance provider. You should also contact a licensed electrician to assess the property, look for hidden dangers and get started on any necessary repairs as soon as possible.
Why Turn to Our Experienced Professionals?
While it may seem tempting to tackle post-lightning repairs by yourself, dealing with the aftermath of a residential strike is no time to go it alone. The licensed electricians and skilled support personnel here at Mister Sparky have what it takes to get your house back in order quickly. We take pride in serving local property owners with speed and efficiency, and we’re available to walk with you through the process of restoring your damaged property.
We’ll start by conducting a thorough, detailed inspection and preparing an accurate service estimate that you can give to your insurance provider and use as a road map for navigating the repairs. You can count on us to follow up with prompt workmanship on your timetable. In addition to responding to existing problems following recent electrical strikes, our personnel are qualified to install surge protection and other protective features to prevent future problems at your residence.
Trust the Skilled Electricians at Mister Sparky
Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky right away if you’re concerned about potential electrical issues after a lightning strike at your Sarasota-area home. Our capable, knowledgeable crew is standing by to answer your questions and schedule an on-site consultation and estimate at your earliest convenience.
