Resilience in the Storm

Rooftop Deck Struck by Lightning

In the face of nature's unpredictable forces, our homes often bear the brunt of storms, and sometimes, lightning strikes can cause unexpected damage. One such instance occurred when lightning struck the rooftop railing of a luxury home, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Watch the entire repair process.

Initial Assessment:

The aftermath of a lightning strike can be daunting, and the first step in the repair process is a thorough assessment of the damage. We inspected the entire railing structure to identify weakened or charred areas that compromise its integrity. Safety is paramount, so it's crucial to exercise caution during this initial inspection.

Documentation

After taking several photographs of the damage to document the extent of the lightning strike, we passed them along for the insurance claim.

Structural Repairs

Once the assessment is complete, we determined there wasn't any structural damage. The top finial was melted and needed to be replaced.

Repair Process

We obtained a replacement section of the fence from the builder and removed the finial to replace the melted one. After workshopping a few ideas, we settled on installing a dowel rod into the interior before using a cold weld epoxy to affix it to the railing post. We gently sawed off the existing finial and attached the replacement.

Finished Result

Repairing a rooftop railing struck by lightning is a challenging task that requires a combination of careful assessment, skilled craftsmanship, and a commitment to safety. As a bonus, we mounted the melted finial onto a piece of Zebra wood as a keepsake for our client.