When a strong thunderstorm blows through, you may be concerned about lightning and your roofing system. Spring and summer storms often bring lightning, which can damage your property if it makes contact. Here is a brief guide to what can happen during a storm and what you and your roofer can do to protect your property.

How Do Thunderstorms Damage the Roof?

Lightning strikes can carry up to one billion volts of energy, which is a huge amount of power slamming into your roof. Lightning also wants to find the path of least resistance, of which your home has many pipes, electrical lines, cable and internet connections, and even metal window frames. 

Lightning can damage concrete, drywall, stone, and glass. Your roof is the area most at risk, however, as strikes can tear off shingles and necessitate extensive repairs. Chimneys, satellites, and dormers can also experience significant damage.

The biggest issue that can occur if your home is struck by lightning is fire. Even if your alarms don’t sound, you should check any enclosed spaces like the attic for signs of fire. These blazes often linger and are not always noticeable right away. You may also detect an acrid smell. 

How Can You Protect Yours?

Roofers can install lightning protection systems to safeguard your property. One of the simplest versions of this is a lightning rod. This device is installed at the highest point of the roof to attract lightning during a storm and stop it from penetrating your roof. Lightning rods are designed to disperse electricity safely. There are also more modern versions of this concept that incorporate rods, conductor cables, and ground rods. Essentially, the rod captures the electricity while the cables direct the current to the ground. That is where the ground rods take over and safely move the electricity away from the structure.

Another way to reduce damage during a storm is to choose a metal roof. Metal roofing is not combustible and actually helps disperse electricity over a large area to reduce impact.

Located in Charlotte, NC, AAA Affordable Roofing brings almost 50 years of roofing experience to every job. These licensed and insured roofers offer everything from repairs to installations, including asphalt and metal. They also service commercial clients and are certified to work with rubber roofing and thermoplastic polyolefin systems. To schedule an appointment for a free estimate, call the roofer at (704) 564-5597. Visit their website for a full list of services.