What If Lightning Strikes Your Chimney?

This has been a summer of storms. It seems that we have been having thunder and lightning storms weekly. Some are intense. Some moderate. What if lightning hits your chimney? What should you do?

What Type of Damage Should I Be Aware Of?

Lightning can cause damage to your chimney in two ways.

Chimney Fire

A chimney fire is possible. If you burn wood in your fireplace there is a buildup of creosote. Creosote is a thick black byproduct of wood being burned. It is a deposit that accumulates in the flue of your chimney liner. And it is highly flammable. If your chimney is hit by lightning, listen for a clicking or roaring sound. This usually means that there is a fire in your chimney. Call the fire department right away. Some chimney fires may go out on their own but don’t take the chance to find out. Once you have had a fire in your chimney, it is important to have Felgemacher’s professionals stop by to inspect the damage. There may be repairs that need to be addressed.

Chimney Damage

If your chimney is hit directly by lightning, other than a chimney fire, you may experience damage to the chimney itself. A hit from lightning can cause cracking or breakage to the bricks and mortar. Chances are you may not visibly be able to identify the damage. We suggest contacting Felgemacher to inspect the damage for your peace of mind.

A chimney cap or crown can be damaged. A damaged cap or crown is never good. You may find that water will start coming into the chimney. Water damage can be very costly. The longer you wait to have it repaired the more expensive it gets. Keep an eye on the rooms, walls, and ceilings around the fireplace. If you see any sign of water damage, contact a professional such as our team at Felgemacher.

Whether your chimney was subject to a fire or not, you won’t know exactly how much or if any damage was done until you have it inspected. There may be no visible signs of damage to your chimney. The inside of the chimney flue walls need to be examined. The cap and crown may have no signs of damage either, but a trained professional will be able to get up on the roof and examine from the top down. Don’t take a lightning strike lightly.

A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and we’ll keep yours as safe and efficient as it can be. Our owners are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America – a stringent industry certification held by only the best sweeps in the U.S. We remove flammable creosote from chimney flues, reducing the chance of a chimney fire. We also remove debris and obstructions that could hamper smoke and carbon monoxide drafting.

We’ve been helping folks throughout the Buffalo NY and Rochester NY areas get the most out of their fireplace inserts, stoves, and chimneys for more than 60 years. When specialized chimney service is required, count on us for the best in chimney sweep, chimney repair, chimney rebuilding, and chimney inspection.