Do You Suspect Lightning Hit Your Chimney?

The potential chimney damage that can result from lightning strikes is astonishing. If you suspect lightning hit your chimney in a current storm, it may be important to act fast. A chimney fire is among the potential results of a lightning strike on your chimney. What to do if you suspect lightning may have caused a chimney fire is below. It is helpful to recognize that Certified Chimney Professionals (CCPs) are the ones to call about chimney damage. The technicians at A1 Chimney Specialist have the experience, skills, and tools to address whatever havoc lightning may have inflicted on your chimney.

Lightning Strikes on Your Chimney

The force of lightning can break and cause cracks in brick, concrete, cinderblock, and stone. A shock wave from lightning can cause cracks in your home’s foundation. So, yes, chimneys are vulnerable to lightning strikes, though lightning doesn’t always hit the tallest object around.

As far as voltage, experts say the voltage power released in a lightning strike ranges from 100 million to 1 billion volts as well as billions of watts. For perspective, the electricity in a single bolt of lightning is enough to power a small city for a day.

If lightning directly hits your chimney, the potential for damage is extensive. The following are among the types of chimney damage lightning strikes can cause:

Lightning can break or shatter chimney bricks, stones, mortar, and the chimney crown.
Chimneys can partially collapse due to broken masonry.
Metal components of the chimney can buckle, detach, or warp. Chimney components that can contain metal include the flashing on the roof, flue cover, chimney cap, chimney flue liner, and chimney dampers.
The chimney liner can be cracked or damaged.
If there is creosote buildup in the chimney flue, lightning can ignite a hazardous chimney fire.

What to Do After Lightning Strikes Your Chimney

After lightning strikes your chimney or you suspect lightning hit your chimney, determine whether it caused a chimney fire. The following are common signals of a chimney fire:

Excess dense smoke is coming from the top of the chimney or through the hearth opening when the fireplace is in operation
If the fireplace is not in use, any smoke coming from above or below
A rumbling sound much like a distant train is coming from the chimney
You can hear an odd tapping or clicking sound

If lightning has caused a fire in your home, remove people and pets from the home and call 911.

How to Protect Chimneys from Lightning Strikes

Is there any way to avoid an unleashing of nature’s fury in the form of a lightning strike on your chimney? Yes, certain preventative measures could protect your chimney from a lightning strike or perhaps minimize the damage if lightning hits your chimney. Experts provide the following tips:

Correctly install a lightning rod. This is the most effective safeguard to prevent chimney damage caused by lightning. To ensure proper lightning rod installation, consult a lightning protection specialist or a licensed electrician.
Have a chimney cap with mesh installed on your chimney. The mesh operates as a “spark arrestor.” If lightning has caused a chimney fire, the cap can prevent embers and sparks from escaping the chimney and possibly starting a roof fire.
Schedule routine chimney cleaning with chimney professionals. This will help minimize the risk of chimney fires in a lightning storm and in general.

Schedule a Chimney Inspection with A-1 Chimney Specialist

If you suspect that lightning hit your chimney, it is important to schedule a chimney inspection before using your fireplace again. The certified chimney experts at A-1 Chimney have the training to conduct chimney inspections properly. They know what to look for as far as obvious damage plus they recognize subtle clues of moisture intrusion. Moisture damage should be addressed quickly to minimize repair costs.

Reach out to us at A-1 Chimney Specialist today. We’ve got you covered whether you need masonry repair, a chimney liner replacement, a full or partial chimney rebuild, tuckpointing, chimney cleaning, fireplace installation, or any other chimney services. Call 931-967-3595 (in Tennessee) or 256-285-4895 (in Alabama), or you can fill out our online contact form.