[TedfromGA]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

If you have lightning rods installed, and then you need a new roof, what happens? Does the roofing company reinstall the rods, or do you have to call the installer? Also the same question pertaining to solar panels? Satellite discs?

Call the lightning company that installed the system. If you don't know then call Danny at A-1 Lightning Protection. He (his company) is very good.

[golfing eagles]

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.

Seriously????

40 years ago on Long Island there were 2 guys going around offering to "recharge" your lightning rods for $100-----With inflation taken into account, I'd be glad to "recertify" lightning rods for let's say $400. Of course, the hard part is getting lightning to strike them so we know "they work".

[TedfromGA]

We installed them - A-1 Lightning Protection, Danny Mack. 352-465-0620. So far we haven't been hit. Home Insurance company does not give a discount.

Justification - if you look around at the commercial buildings in the squares you'll see most are protected by lightning rods. Same for the Brownwood Speciality Center and Hotel. Seems like a reasonable thing to do for $1500 to $2000.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

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.

Since the only answer you got so far was snark, and just in case you were serious:

A lightning rod isn't a device that needs to "do" anything to work. It's just a metal rod that sticks up from the top of the dwelling, connected to a grounding rod stuck in the ground, so when lightning strikes, it zaps itself down the rod to the ground instead of hitting the building itself, thus reducing the risk of damage to the building.

It's sort of like that third prong or the little grounding wire that sticks out of the side of some older plugs. It only needs to exist, in order to function, no certification or maintenance needed.

[jrref]

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.

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

[TVTVTV]

Great info, jrref. If lightning rods are such a desirable and beneficial item, why are there only a few licensed companies around here? Are the two you noted really large companies?

[Altavia]

///...

[sowilts]

5775 Henry Loop Linden Isle

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I got a breaking news email from that “alternative” Villages new source, that said a home in the Village of Linden was struck by lightning and burned down in last night’s thunder/lightning activity. Since this my first summer living here, was curious how often this happens - Common, Not-So-Common, One-Off?

I feel so bad for the homeowners, luckily no one was home at the time of fire, as they were up North.

In the 3+ yrs I’ve been here I’ve heard much more about lightening strikes in TV than up North. Most don’t make the news because the damage is not as extensive as the house on Linden Isle.

According to the weather man on channel 6 local news lightning rods do not help. He went into detail about their history and why they aren’t worth having. You can probably find his explanation on their website.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Seriously????

40 years ago on Long Island there were 2 guys going around offering to "recharge" your lightning rods for $100-----With inflation taken into account, I'd be glad to "recertify" lightning rods for let's say $400. Of course, the hard part is getting lightning to strike them so we know "they work".

Yes! i knew there would be a buzinezz opportunity in here somewhere!

All cash, under the table. . .

You in Stu?

[Jim 9922]

We have a lightning protection system and replace our roof a year ago. For a very reasonable price, A-1 removed the system a couple of days prior to the roof replacement, plugged all holes (in the roof and soffits) , stored our system (cables, rods, clips, attachment plates, etc.) at their facility and then returned a couple of days after the reroofing was complete and reinstalled the system, adding new cables where they deemed necessary, sealed the roof attachments and resealed all soffit holes, and tested all grounding rods.

The only potential problem I can see is who takes responsibility if a leak subsequently develops. I don't anticipate too much of a problem because we used 2 well established, experienced, professional companies.

The metal framing which was used to enclose our lanai is also grounded as part of the overall system.

As for the gas line in the attic: a separate grounding cable is attached at the manifold system and another ground is attached to the pipe where it enters the house.

[Kenswing]

As far as I know every building that The Villages owns has a lightning protection system on it. That there speaks volumes. The Developer doesn’t spend money where he doesn’t feel it’s a benefit. We’re still on the fence on whether to have one installed or not.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I got a breaking news email from that “alternative” Villages new source, that said a home in the Village of Linden was struck by lightning and burned down in last night’s thunder/lightning activity. Since this my first summer living here, was curious how often this happens - Common, Not-So-Common, One-Off?

I feel so bad for the homeowners, luckily no one was home at the time of fire, as they were up North.

I live on a golf course and I am always amazed at the golfers who are still out there when it thunders and storms are in the area. Rule of thumb is "when thunder roars, go indoors."

[mrf0151]

Copper air-terminals are extreamly effective taking the energy to the ground. There is only one company in the central Florida area that really does it right. We had several companies come out and give us information and pricing. A-1 Lightning does it right and is the most competitive with pricing. Call Danny at 352-2665020. A small price for peace of mind.

[Escape Artist]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

How many people have lightning rods on their houses? Ballpark, what did it cost? Do you think it was worth it? Do they work?

I would think you would get a discount on your insurance if you had them.

You didn’t answer any of the OP’s questions, and only asked more of your own! Unhelpful