Quote:
Originally Posted by Ritagoyer
How often do you have to get them checked? I was wondering how often they need recertification to make sure they work.
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You should visually check your system every 6 months to make sure there is no obvious physical damage to any of the air terminals (lightning rods) or any of the cables on the roof. You can easily do this by walking around your home and looking at the roof. Then every 3-5 years you can have your grounding rods checked electrically to make sure you still have good grounding meaning in a certain tolerance range and to make sure all your connections remain tight.
You can contact the installer to come and check your system or there is a service here in the Villages that can check your grounding system. If you are interested please PM me.
As far as roof replacement, when it needs to be done the LPS contractor will have to come and remove the system then re-install it when the new roof is installed. Some of the parts can be re-used so it may not be as expensive as when initially installed.
As far as getting a Lightning Protection System Installed you need to use a UL Certified installer to insure the system is installed correctly and will protect your home if it's ever hit by lightning. See the list below. Many times when a house is destroyed by lightning non-certified handymen tend to move into the area affected and try to get business. Some of these people don't have the knowledge to do the installation correctly. Never hire a contractor going door-to-door soliciting their services to install an LPS. Always ask for their UL certification.
Remember if your house takes a direct hit by lightning it usually enters the attic and will richocet like a bullet throughout your home looking for a path to ground and if you are in the way, you can be hit and killed in your own home. This is very rare but it can happen. Finally, although you have homeowners insurance to repair or rebuild your home if destroyed by lightning, it can take up to a year or more to get your home rebuilt these days. So, for a relatively small amount of money you can invest in a Lightning Protection System and have the piece of mind that you have increased your odds of no or little damage to your home and have protected your family if you ever are unfortunate enough to get hit by lightning. Especially since we live in one of the lightning capitals of the world here in Florida.
I'm a member of Len Hathaway's Lightning Study Group and will be speaking with Len and Frank at the presentation this Tuesday at 7PM at the Laurel Manor Rec Center. I highly recommend that you come just to better understand this whole situation.
Triangle Lightning Protection - (352) 483-7020
A1 Lightning Protection - (352) 465-0620