Is your property at risk from a lightning strike?

Posted on July 14, 2015 by heightw in Blog Entry

The UK has experienced a period of very warm weather this summer with a high pressure system settling across a large part of Europe. The result was several days of high temperatures with some parts of the UK reaching highs of 37 degrees Celsius. It wasn’t all sunshine, though – the high pressure and soaring temperatures led to thunderstorms and downpours in many places. Some estimates claim there were as many as 30,000 lightning strikes during the period.

The high temperatures and resulting thunderstorms could easily happen again over the rest of the summer and in coming years too. It has brought the need for protection against lightning into the spotlight, with a number of people worrying about whether their properties are safe.

Lightning can strike buildings directly and cause extensive damage, but it can also have an impact simply by striking close to properties. This can cause electrical surges, damaging wiring, appliances and telephones. To protect against this, properties should have some form of surge protection, particularly those that contain a high number of valuable electronics.

In terms of direct strikes, certain properties are more at risk than others. Lightning will typically strike the largest point on the landscape. This means the tallest buildings are at the most risk and need to be protected. The best way to do this is with a lightning rod that will attract the current and redirect it safely rather than letting it strike the property directly.

Not every property needs to have a lightning rod installed on it. To decide if yours needs it you should seek advance from an experienced specialist. Lightning protection experts will be able to advise you and provide guidance. They can also complete installations so you don’t need to go up on the roof or make changes to the fabric of the property yourself.

At Heightwise we have a team of experienced lightning rod installers. We can install protective systems on all kinds of properties and will ensure they offer the best level of protection. If you have concerns about your property, please contact us to arrange a consultation.

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