Why is Lightning Protection System Maintenance so Necessary?
A lightning protection system that hasn't been inspected in years may look intact while quietly failing where it matters most.
A System Degrades Even When It Looks Fine
The odds of any single building taking a direct strike are low, which is exactly why lightning protection tends to get forgotten once it's installed. But the components — air terminals, conductors, grounding connections, and bonds — are exposed to weather year-round, and corrosion, loosened connections, and physical damage from wind, ice, or freeze-thaw cycles can all quietly reduce how well the system performs. UV exposure and repeated expansion and contraction from temperature swings add to the wear over the years. A system that's failed partially is not much better than having no system at all, and from the ground it can be impossible to tell the difference.
What an Inspection Actually Catches
A routine inspection checks for corrosion at connection points — often visible as a greenish patina on copper conductors — along with loose or disconnected cable clamps, cracked fasteners, and damage from roof work or remodeling. It also catches errors that may have been made during the original installation, and confirms the system still covers the building correctly if anything has changed since — a new addition, a satellite dish, or new rooftop equipment that a strike could hit without an air terminal nearby to intercept it.
Why This Isn't a DIY Job
Lightning protection components are straightforward individually, but evaluating whether a full system is still functioning as designed takes training and an understanding of how the parts interact. A qualified provider can deliver a full inspection for deficiencies, evaluate the system after remodeling or roof repair work, install a new system from scratch, or repair specific components on an existing one, rather than replacing the whole system unnecessarily.
The Cost of Skipping It
An inspection is a small expense compared to what's at stake: a building fire, destroyed electronics, or an injury from a side flash to an unbonded metal object. Catching a corroded connection or a loosened clamp during a routine visit is far cheaper than discovering it after a strike has already found the weak point in the system.
How Often to Inspect
Most systems benefit from a routine annual inspection, particularly after major storms or any roof work that may have disturbed the air terminals or conductors.
Who We Are
RS Lightning Protection is a family-owned company that has installed, inspected, and maintained lightning protection systems since 1988. We serve Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. Call 1-866-415-2231 to schedule an inspection.
Need maintenance? See our maintenance service.