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Patriot Lightning Rods
Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the FAQs section for Patriot Lightning Rods! Here, we answer the most common questions homeowners and property owners ask about lightning protection—from how our systems work and why they’re vital, to installation details, materials, and system maintenance. Whether you’re wondering if lightning rods attract strikes, curious about combining surge protection with grounding systems, or considering DIY vs. professional installation, you’ve come to the right place.

Our answers are based on industry-recognized standards—like NFPA 780, UL 96/96A, and guidance from the Lightning Protection Institute. Behind every answer is our commitment to help you make informed decisions for protecting your building and its occupants.

Browse through to learn:

  • What makes a lightning protection system effective and safe
  • Why you still need surge arresters
  • The importance of proper grounding and bonding
  • Whether professionals are required for installation
  • Maintenance best practices for long-term coverage

At Patriot Lightning Rods, our goal is to deliver clear, reliable insight so you can shield your home with confidence. Ready to explore the answers? Let’s dive in!

General Questions

A lightning protection system is a network of rods, conductors, and ground electrodes that safely direct lightning strikes away from a structure, preventing fire, damage, and electrical surges.

Lightning Protection System Rods

Lightning causes billions in property damage every year. A protection system safeguards your home or building by channeling dangerous lightning energy safely into the ground.

It provides a low-resistance path for lightning to follow, directing it from air terminals (rods) on the roof, through conductors, and into buried ground rods.

Lightning Protection System Illustration

Yes, lightning rods remain the most reliable way to protect a structure from direct lightning strikes.

When properly installed and maintained, it is highly effective at preventing structural damage, fires, and electrical issues.

Yes. By controlling where the lightning energy travels, the system prevents fires that could start from an uncontrolled strike.

Every 3–5 years, or after any significant roofing or structural changes.

Any structure, especially tall, isolated, or valuable ones like homes, barns, commercial buildings, schools, and historical properties.

In some cases, yes — particularly for certain government, commercial, or insurance-covered properties. Always check local regulations.

Certified professionals, like the team at Patriot Lightning Rods, should install these systems following UL and NFPA standards.

It prevents direct strike damage by safely redirecting the lightning current. However, additional surge protection is needed to protect electronics from secondary effects.

Yes. Installing the system during construction or roofing is often more cost-effective and less invasive. It allows for seamless integration with your structure and ensures full protection from the start.

Absolutely. A roof replacement is the perfect time to install or upgrade a lightning protection system since installers have full access to roof surfaces, ridges, and grounding paths.

No. When installed by certified professionals like Patriot Lightning Rods, systems are designed to meet manufacturer requirements and preserve roof warranties using approved mounting methods.

It’s best handled by a certified lightning protection contractor. Patriot Lightning Rods works directly with builders and roofers to coordinate safe, code-compliant installations.

Early planning ensures optimal placement of air terminals, concealed wiring paths, and properly bonded metal components — resulting in better protection and a cleaner, more aesthetic installation.

The Gulf Coast states experience some of the highest lightning strike densities in the U.S., making protection especially important for structures in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Yes — and it often does. Tall or isolated structures can be struck multiple times a year, which is why permanent protection is essential.

It prevents direct strike damage by safely redirecting the lightning current. However, additional surge protection is needed to protect electronics from secondary effects.

NFPA 780 is the National Fire Protection Association’s standard that governs the design, installation, and inspection of lightning protection systems in the U.S.

Lightning seeks the shortest, most conductive path to the ground — typically targeting tall, isolated, or conductive structures.

Grounding connects a system to the earth. Bonding ensures all metal components are electrically connected to prevent side flashes during a lightning strike.

A side flash is when lightning jumps between two conductive objects (like gutters and wiring). Bonding and proper system design prevent dangerous jumps.

No. Improper installation is dangerous and can cause more harm than good. Only certified professionals should install these systems.

Not in the traditional sense. Portable surge protection and avoidance strategies are better suited for mobile structures.

Not entirely. While durable, the system should be inspected every few years and after any roof work, remodeling, or storm damage.

Yes. A certified system is a safety upgrade that can improve your property’s appeal and longevity.

No. In fact, tall trees can attract lightning and even explode when struck. Worse, they can direct the strike toward nearby buildings.

Yes. We install protection for rooftop solar systems, ensuring they are bonded and grounded correctly to avoid damage.

If it’s tall, on a hill, isolated, or located in a high-strike region (like the Gulf Coast), it’s at elevated risk.

Not necessarily. While metal conducts electricity, it still needs a structured path to ground to avoid dangerous side flashes or fire.

The structural steel of a building does conduct lightning. You need a lightning protection system to intercept lightning to make sure that the lightning is able to pass harmlessly through the building.

Yes. Electrical grounding isn’t designed to handle the energy of a direct lightning strike — that’s what lightning protection systems are for.

The cost of lightning rod protection system is typically less than 2% of total cost of home and much less than cost of repairs or replacement damage due to lightning strike.

Installation & Materials

Air terminals (rods), main conductors, bonds to metal systems, ground electrodes, surge arresters, and clamps.

On high points of the roof—ridges, chimneys, dormers, cupolas—and spaced evenly for full coverage.

We use high-quality copper or aluminum, depending on the structure and budget.

No. They are installed with non-penetrating or sealed mounts to protect your roof’s integrity.

Air terminals collect the strike; ground rods safely disperse the energy underground.

Yes. Metal roofs can still be damaged by lightning. A system is essential for safety.

Yes. We protect tall or vulnerable features like trees, chimneys, and cupolas that could attract strikes.

We design systems to be as discreet as possible, blending with your structure and trim.

Yes, all materials are UL-listed and meet or exceed national lightning protection standards.

Absolutely. We adhere strictly to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 780) and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) guidelines.

Yes, we retrofit and upgrade outdated or damaged systems to meet current standards.

Maintenance & Certification

Every 3–5 years, and immediately after any roofing or structural changes

We check connections, continuity, grounding, corrosion, and compliance with current standards.

Yes, we provide third-party evaluations.

Safety & Risk

It could suffer structural fires, damaged electronics, or total electrical failure.

No. They don’t increase the chance of a strike—they safely control it if it happens.

Yes. Once installed, they are completely passive and safe for people and animals.

Special Properties

Yes—especially since they often contain flammable materials or livestock.

Yes. We offer custom, discreet solutions to preserve aesthetics and ensure code compliance.

We design and install systems for warehouses, retail centers, schools, and more.

Commercial Lightning Protection

Yes. We protect all types of exposed structures, including antennas, spires, and silos.

Yes. Large, valuable, or iconic trees can be fitted with specialized systems to safely handle lightning strikes.

Tree Protection

About Patriot Lightning Rods

We specialize in Gulf Coast lightning protection, using UL-listed materials and NFPA 780-certified installation methods with unmatched customer service.

We serve Gulf Coast states including Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, and Tennessee.

Contact us via phone or through our website for a free consultation or site visit.

Yes. If your property has been struck, we offer rapid assessments to determine any needed repairs or upgrades.

Most residential systems can be installed in 1–2 days. Commercial timelines vary by project size.

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