Lightning Strike & Surge Damage Evaluation in Houston, TX

The Unseen Damage From a Power Surge

A direct lightning strike is obviously destructive, but you do not need a direct hit to suffer serious electrical damage. Severe weather in the Houston area often causes a powerful voltage spike that travels through utility lines and into your home. This sudden jolt of electricity is far more than your wiring or devices are built to handle. It can melt wires inside your walls, permanently damage the sensitive circuit boards in your computers and televisions, and degrade your home’s circuit breaker panel.

This rogue energy follows the path of least resistance, which is your home’s electrical system. Every single device plugged into an outlet, from your refrigerator to your air conditioning unit, becomes a target. The damage might not be immediate. A component weakened by a surge could fail days or even weeks later, leading to unexpected system failures or, worse, creating a serious fire hazard.

What We Look For During an Evaluation

When one of our licensed electricians arrives, they are not just looking for what is obviously broken. They perform a deep diagnostic inspection to find the subtle problems that a voltage spike creates. Your home’s safety depends on finding these issues before they become major failures.

• Circuit Breaker Panel Inspection: We check for scorch marks, melted components, and breakers that no longer function correctly after being exposed to extreme voltage.
• Outlet and Switch Testing: We will test outlets throughout your home for correct polarity, proper ground connection, and signs of internal heat damage.
• Appliance and HVAC System Checks: We inspect the connections and wiring for major appliances, including your air conditioning system, which is highly vulnerable to surge damage.
• Wiring Assessment: We look for evidence of compromised wiring insulation inside accessible areas, which is a significant fire risk.
• Grounding System Verification: We check that your home’s electrical ground is intact and functioning, as this is your first line of defense against a surge.

Recommendations and Electrical Solutions

Following our evaluation, we will give you a clear, straightforward report of our findings. This is a serious situation, and we treat it that way. You will get a complete picture of the health of your home’s electrical system and what it needs to be safe again. We might recommend replacing a damaged circuit breaker, installing new outlets, or repairing electrical wiring that has been compromised.

For many homeowners, the best long-term solution is the whole-house surge protector installation. This device is installed directly at your electrical panel and works to block a major voltage spike before it can ever enter your home’s circuits, protecting all your electronics at once.

A1 Plus Electrical, Plumbing and Air has a full team of electricians ready to perform any needed electrical repairs or installations to restore your system and your peace of mind. We handle everything from simple repairs to complete system upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surge Damage

My power just flickered. Do I still need an inspection?

Yes. Even a quick flicker signifies an electrical event. A powerful surge of energy can move through your home in a fraction of a second, causing damage to electronics and wiring that does not show up right away. Getting an evaluation is the only way to know for sure.

What is a whole-house surge protector?

It is a device our electrician installs at your main electrical panel. Unlike a small power strip, it is designed to stop a massive voltage spike from the utility line from ever entering your house. It protects every outlet and all of your hard-wired appliances, like your air conditioning unit.

I have a lightning rod. Isn’t that enough?

A lightning rod is designed to protect your home’s physical structure from a direct lightning strike by giving the energy a safe path to the ground. It does not stop a power surge from entering your home through the electrical, phone, or cable lines. You need both for complete protection.

Will my home’s electronics be damaged?

Modern electronics are filled with sensitive microprocessors that are extremely vulnerable to a voltage spike. The sudden rush of alternating current moving at the wrong frequency and voltage can instantly fry these components. Everything from your microwave to your internet modem is at risk during a thunderstorm.

Do Not Wait for Another Storm

The aftermath of severe weather leaves a lot of uncertainty. You should not have to worry about the electrical integrity of your own home. Letting potential surge damage go unchecked is an unnecessary risk to your property and your family. Gaining a clear picture of your system’s condition allows you to make informed decisions and prevent a future catastrophe.

And if you’re worried about being left in the dark the next time a major storm rolls through Houston, ask us about installing a standby generator. While surge protection shields your electronics from voltage spikes, a generator keeps your home running smoothly when the power goes out, keeping your lights, refrigerator, and comfort systems online when it matters most.

Call A1 Plus Electrical, Plumbing and Air right now to schedule your complete lightning and surge damage evaluation.