Do I Need to Have My Wires Inspected After a Lightning Strike Nearby?

🔍 Hidden Damage, Real Danger

Even if your home wasn’t directly hit, a nearby lightning strike can send a massive electrical surge through the ground and utility lines. That surge may travel into your home’s wiring, silently damaging circuits, outlets, and appliances. The scary part? You might not notice anything right away.

• Wiring insulation can melt or degrade, increasing the risk of short circuits.

• Connections may loosen or arc, creating hotspots that could ignite.

• Surge damage can compromise safety systems, like smoke detectors or security alarms.

These issues often hide behind drywall and inside junction boxes—out of sight, but not out of danger.

🔥 Why It’s a Fire Hazard

Damaged wiring doesn’t always fail immediately. It can smolder, arc, or overheat over time. That’s why post-strike inspections aren’t just smart—they’re essential.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failures or malfunctions are a leading cause of house fires. After a lightning event, your home may be at elevated risk fire risk from lightning without any visible signs.

✅ What You Should Do

If lightning struck near your property, here’s your action plan:

1. Schedule Lightning Strike Investigators to inspect your wiring, especially if you noticed flickering lights, tripped breakers, or strange appliance behavior.

2. Document the event—photos, timestamps, and any visible damage. This helps with insurance claims.

3. Check your surge protection—whole-home surge protectors and point-of-use devices may need replacement.

4. Consult your homeowners insurance—you may be covered for inspection and repairs. We can also help you place your homeowners insurance lightning claim.

🛠️ Advocate for Safety

As someone who’s seen the aftermath of electrical damage after lightning firsthand, I can’t stress this enough: don’t wait for symptoms. Be proactive. A quick inspection could prevent a devastating fire and save thousands in repairs.

If you need help navigating the inspection process or filing a claim, I’ve got your back. I specialize in guiding homeowners through post-disaster recovery with clarity, transparency, and results.

👉 Visit LightningStrikeInvestigators.com to schedule a free lightning strike home inspection or download our Homeowner’s Post-Strike Checklist. Let’s make sure your home is safe, secure, and surge-proof.

Struck by Lightning? Act Fast.