Lightning Rods Provide Direct Lightning Strike Protection
Image Source: Pixabay.com
Lighting Rods Provide Direct Lightning Strike Protection. Al’s Plumbing, In Plano, TX Provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements For Every Plumbing Component In Your Home. Al’s sells and installs gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Plano, TX; Allen, TX; Frisco, TX; and McKinney, Texas. We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and northeastern Dallas County, TX with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s Today To Discuss Any Concerns Or Problems You Have With Your Home’s Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.
Click Here To See A U.S. Lighting Strikes Activity MAP: Lightning Strikes Activity U.S. Map
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser: https://ecle.biz/lightning-risk-map/
NOTE: Lightning strikes activity is highest near bodies of water.
Click Below To Read About Nearby Lighting Strike Power Surge Damage
And How To Prevent It With A Whole-House Surge Protector
(Nearby Lighting Strike is also known as: “Indirect Lighting Strike.”)
AlsPlumbing.com Indirect Lightning Strike Protection
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Link <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/ronomore-866556/?utm_source=link->
Lightning Facts
- In the (48) U.S. states — 20 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes occur each year.
- In 2020 there were 71,500 Lightning Strike Damage Homeowner’s Insurance Claims. In 2021, there were 60,750.
- During 2007-2011 19% of the homes struck by lightning — Caught On Fire.
- In 2018 Texas had nearly 2.5 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes.
- In 2021, Texas was 2nd for Lightning Strike Damage Homeowner’s Insurance Claims.
- Total 2021 Texas claims $95 million.
- A Direct lightning strike is when lightning strikes something directly.
- An Indirect lighting strike is when lightning strikes something nearby.
- Indirect lightning creates a huge Power Surge.
- A lightning bolt can be up to 90 miles long.
- Lighting can strike multiple locations at once.
- History shows lightning striking the same object more than once.
- Lightning energy heats the surrounding air from 18,000 to 60,000 (F) degrees — up to 6 times the temperature of the sun’s surface (NASA says the sun’s surface is 10,000 (F) degrees).
- Lightning can occur without rain.
- Thunder never occurs without lightning — only lightning causes thunder.
- If you hear thunder — a lighting-strike risk exists.
- Thunder can be heard up to 10 miles from a lightning flash.
Lightning Safety
- After you see lightning, start counting to 30 (Use: “One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi, Three-Mississippi” — to represent each 1 second.)
- IF the time between the lightning flash and thunder is within 30 seconds — the lightning is within 6 miles.
- If you hear thunder within 30 seconds after a lightning flash — seek indoor shelter immediately.
- Once inside avoid; windows, plumbing, electrical devices, concrete floors & walls (concrete has metal rods inside).
- After hearing the last thunder — stay indoors for at least 30 minutes.
- Lighting usually strikes the tallest object in its path.
- Don’t be that tallest object.
- If You’re Out In The Open — crouch low to reduce lighting strike risk.
- Minimize contact with the ground (don’t lay down) — a nearby lighting strike can create a tremendous amount of electricity within the ground.
- Lightning strikes activity increases near water.
- If in the water — go to the shore as fast as possible.
- Car tires & rubber-sole shoes provide NO protection from lighting.
- The metal at the top of a car provides some protection — if you’re not touching metal inside the car.
Sources:
- https://www.almanac.com/lightning-storms-10-safety-tips-you-should-know
- https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-lightning
- https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/faq/
- https://www.vaisala.com/sites/default/files/documents/2018%20Annual%20Lightning%20Report_1.pdf
- https://bestlifeonline.com/lightning-facts/
The States (or areas within the state) — With The Most Lighting Strikes Activity
Click Here To See A U.S. Lighting Strikes Activity MAP: Lightning Strikes Activity U.S. Map
Most Lighting Strikes Activity:
- Florida
- Along the Gulf Of Mexico coastline.
2nd Most Lighting Strikes Activity (Grouped By Region & ListedAlphabetically):
Midwest Region:
- Illinois — southern 2/3 + Chicago area.
- Iowa — southern 1/3.
- Indiana — southern 1/3.
- Missouri
Upper Southeastern Region:
- Kentucky — western 1/3.
- Tennessee — western 1/2.
- Arkansas
- Louisana
Lower Southeastern Region:
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Georgia — coastline.
- So. Carolina — coastline.
South Central Region:
- Kansas — eastern 1/3.
- Oklahoma — eastern 1/2.
- Texas — eastern 1/3.
- (NOTE: The remainder of Texas is within the 3rd Most Lightning Strikes Activity.)
- For All Other Lighting Strikes Activity — See U.S. Lightning Strikes Activity Map (link provided above).
Image Source: Pixabay
Texas is the #2 State For Lighting Strikes
(Only Florida #1 Had More 2021 Claims – 5,539).
In 2021 — Texas Had 4,500 Homeowners’ Insurance Lightning Strike Damage Claims.
Total Texas Losses = $95 million. Average Damage Claim = $21,000.
Source: https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-lightning
Lightning Rods Provide Direct Lightning Strike Protection
Direct Lighting Strike Damage to a home is typically extensive. Up to 1/4 of homes directly struck by lighting catch on fire. This is because, when lighting strikes anything (that can’t conduct electricity, such as roof shingles) — it creates a tremendous amount of heat. With many home materials get hot enough — they can catch on fire.
This YouTube Video Shows Extensive Damage From A Direct Lightning Strike – To A Texas Home.
Lighting Rods Would Have Likely Prevented This Direct Lightning Strike Damage.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video
Lightning Rods – Provide Direct Lightning Strike Protection
Lighting Rods Don’t Attract Lighting. They Intercept Nearby Lighting — and avoid lighting striking the home.
Image Source: Pixabay
SHOWN: Typical Lightning Rod Installed On A Home’s Roof (on the right)
Note: The Decorative Item (on the left) — Is Both A Lighting Rod + Weather Vane.
TIP: Residential Lightning Rods are a preventative measure. They’re not required by Building Code.
TIP: Common Home Owners Insurance Policies Deductible — is 1% or 2% of the total damage claim. If a direct lightning strike damages a home — it’s likely the H.O. Deductible will cost the owner more than an installed Lighting Rods System.
Components Of A Lighting Rods System – For Direct Lighting Strike Protection
(An Installation Video Follows This Section)
NOTE: We Recommend A Lighting Rods System Be Installed By A Professional Installer.
SHOWN: Lightning Rod With 4 Strike Points
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SHOWN: Typical Lightning Rods (on the roof)
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Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase from Amazon.com
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A Typical Lighting Rods System Installation – For Direct Lighting Strike Protection
Steps:
- Drill holes through the roof & shingles.
- The lightning rod’s base is inserted through the hole (from inside the attic).
- The base is connected to the copper cable (that’s installed inside the attic). The cable safely carries the lighting strike’s electricity out of the house.
- A lighting rod screws onto it the base (from the roof).
- The copper cable (coming from inside the attic) is connected to a ground-rod.
- The ground-rod is inserted into the earth/ground.
NOTE: Lightning Rods Don’t Attract Lightning. They Intercept Very Close Lighting Strikes.
This YouTube Video, Produced By This Old House,
Shows Installation Of A Lightning Rods System – For Direct Lighting Strike Protection
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video
Direct Lightning Strike Protection For Your Home
This Article Described How To Minimize The Risk Of Direct Lighting Strike Damage To Your Home With A Lighting Rods System. Also described are the individual components of a Lighting Rod System AND the installation of a Lighting Rods System.
Al’s Plumbing, In Plano, TX Provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements For Every Plumbing Component In Your Home. Al’s sells and installs gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Plano, TX; Allen, TX; Frisco, TX; and McKinney, Texas. We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and northeastern Dallas County, TX with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s Today To Discuss Any Concerns Or Problems You Have With Your Home’s Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.