Lightning Protection Repair, Maintenance & Upgrading in Reading & London
Why Lightning Protection Maintenance is Essential
Regular lightning protection maintenance is as important as repair work. While repairs address visible damage, preventive maintenance prevents system failures before they occur.
Legal Requirement for Maintenance
Under Section 5 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, all lightning protection systems must be “maintained and tested at regular intervals”. This legal requirement means:
- Annual maintenance inspections – Not exceeding 12-month intervals
- Preventive maintenance – Identifying issues before failure
- Compliance documentation – Required for insurance validity
- System functionality – Ensuring protection when needed
Failure to maintain lightning protection systems can result in invalid insurance coverage, HSE enforcement action, and system failure during lightning strikes.
What Our Lightning Protection Maintenance Includes
Preventive Maintenance Program:
- Cleaning corrosion from joints and connections
- Coating connections with anti-corrosion compound
- Checking conductor integrity and fixing security
- Testing earth resistance to ensure <10Ω
- Inspecting bonding connections to services
- Verifying surge protection device functionality
- Documenting system condition changes
- Providing maintenance recommendations
Regular Maintenance Benefits:
- Extends system lifespan significantly
- Prevents costly emergency repairs
- Maintains insurance compliance
- Ensures protection reliability
- Reduces long-term ownership costs
Our lightning protection maintenance service can be scheduled annually (recommended every 11 months) or as part of multi-year contracts with preferential rates.
Preventive Maintenance Costs:
- Annual maintenance visit: £200-£350
- Multi-site maintenance contracts: £4,000-£7,500/year
- Combined testing and maintenance: Discounted rates available
Professional Lightning Protection Repair, Maintenance & Upgrading Services
Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd provides expert lightning protection repair, maintenance, and system upgrading services across Reading, London, Berkshire, and the South of England. With 25+ years of experience, our qualified engineers fix damaged components, conduct preventive maintenance, and upgrade outdated systems to BS EN 62305:2012 standards.
Emergency repairs available • Preventive maintenance programs • System upgrades • From £125
Call: 0118 976 0239
Whether your system has suffered storm damage, requires routine maintenance, or needs upgrading to current standards, our BS EN 62305 certified specialists ensure your lightning protection remains fully functional and compliant.
Protecting Your Building: Repair, Maintenance & Upgrades
Lightning protection systems are critical safety infrastructure, but their effectiveness degrades over time without proper maintenance and repair. Understanding when your system needs repair, routine maintenance, or full upgrading ensures continuous protection.
When Lightning Protection Repair is Needed
Emergency Repair Situations:
- Storm damage – After lightning strikes or severe weather
- Visible component damage – Broken conductors, missing clamps
- Failed test results – High earth resistance (>10Ω)
- Corrosion damage – Compromised joints and connections
- Vandalism – Theft of copper components or deliberate damage
- Building work impact – Accidental damage during construction
Our emergency lightning protection repair service provides same-day response across Reading and Berkshire for urgent situations requiring immediate attention.
Regular Maintenance Prevents Failure
How Weather Affects Lightning Protection:
- Winter freeze-thaw cycles – Expand/contract connections causing looseness
- Summer heat – Brittleness in fixing clips and insulators
- Coastal environments – Salt accelerates corrosion
- Industrial pollution – Chemical exposure damages components
- UV degradation – Plastic components become brittle
Preventive Lightning Protection Maintenance:
Regular maintenance every 11-12 months identifies these issues before they cause system failure:
- Cleaning and treating corrosion
- Tightening loose connections
- Replacing worn fixings
- Testing earth resistance
- Checking conductor continuity
- Inspecting bonding integrity
When System Upgrading is Required
Upgrading Triggers:
- BS 6651 to BS EN 62305 – Older systems needing modernization
- Missing surge protection – Retrofitting SPDs for electronic equipment
- Inadequate conductor spacing – Meeting current down conductor requirements
- Building extensions – Expanding protection zones
- Increased risk factors – New electronic systems or structural changes
Our lightning protection upgrading service brings older systems into compliance with current BS EN 62305:2012 standards while preserving existing infrastructure where possible.
Combined Services:
We offer integrated repair, maintenance, and upgrading programs that provide comprehensive system care at reduced overall costs compared to separate service calls.
Lightning Protection Repair, Maintenance & Upgrading Services
Repair Services - Fixing Damage & Restoring Functionality
Component Repair & Replacement:
- Corroded joints and clamps replacement – Restoring electrical continuity
- Down conductor repair – Replacing damaged or stolen copper tape
- Air terminal replacement – Fixing storm-damaged lightning rods
- Earth electrode repair – Improving high resistance readings
- Fixing band replacement – Securing loose conductors
- Connection joint repair – Re-establishing broken electrical paths
Corrosion Treatment:
- Wire brushing corroded connections clean
- Applying anti-corrosion compound (oxy-inhibiting)
- Replacing heavily corroded components
- Treating exposed copper to prevent further degradation
Anti-Vandalism Measures:
- Installing anti-vandal guards on accessible down conductors
- Protecting copper components from theft
- Securing earth electrode access chambers
- Recommending design modifications to reduce vulnerability
Preventive Maintenance Services - Avoiding Failure
Annual Lightning Protection Maintenance:
- Routine maintenance inspections – Identifying issues before failure
- Corrosion prevention maintenance – Cleaning and treating connections
- Fixing security checks – Tightening loose bands and clamps
- Earth resistance testing – Verifying grounding effectiveness
- Continuity verification – Testing conductor integrity
- Bonding maintenance – Checking service connections
Seasonal Maintenance Considerations:
- Pre-storm season inspections (spring)
- Post-winter maintenance checks
- Coastal environment enhanced maintenance
- Industrial pollution impact monitoring
System Upgrading Services - Modernization & Enhancement
Standards Compliance Upgrading:
- BS 6651 to BS EN 62305 conversion – Bringing older systems current
- Additional down conductors – Meeting modern spacing requirements (10m/15m/20m)
- Roof tape enhancement – Expanding Faraday cage coverage
- Earth electrode improvements – Reducing system resistance
Surge Protection Upgrades:
- Internal lightning protection – Installing surge arresters (SPDs)
- Type 1 SPD installation – Main electrical intake protection
- Type 2 SPD installation – Distribution board protection
- Type 3 SPD installation – Sensitive equipment protection
Bonding & Earthing Upgrades:
- Bonding metallic roof equipment (aerials, satellite dishes, AHUs, chillers)
- Installing additional cross tapes on complex roofs
- Creating new earth pit positions for improved grounding
- Equipotential bonding enhancement
Cost-Effective Upgrades:
Our upgrading approach maximizes use of existing infrastructure, only replacing components when necessary, keeping costs reasonable while achieving full BS EN 62305 compliance.
Pricing Guide
Depending on the location:
- A two-hour repair is between £125 and £175
- A half-day repair is £295 to £325
- A full day repair is £600 to £750
* This is the cost of Labour only; on top of the labour cost, there would also be a cost for materials, and that obviously varies depending on what they’re doing.
Additional Services
- Risk Assessment: £1,500 – £3,500
- Surge Protection: £2,500 – £5,000
- Annual Testing: £4,000 – £7,500
Why Choose Us
Professional Qualifications
- BS EN 62305 Certified Designers
- Atlas member
- Safe Contractor Accredited
- £10M Public Liability Insurance
Experience & Expertise
- 25+ years industry experience
- 10,000+ installations
- Specialists in commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, heritage
Testing & Inspection Services
Regular lightning protection testing is a legal requirement under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. While repair and maintenance keep your system functional, annual testing verifies compliance.
Our testing service includes continuity testing, earth resistance measurement, and full system verification. Testing should be performed every 11-12 months as part of your maintenance program.
Learn more about our lightning protection testing services including detailed testing procedures, legal requirements, and pricing.
Combined Services: Book repair, maintenance, and testing together for comprehensive system care and reduced overall costs.
FAQ: Lightning Protection Repair and Upgrading
Lightning protection repair and upgrading involves the maintenance, inspection, and enhancement of existing lightning protection systems to ensure they continue to effectively protect structures from lightning strikes.
Over time, lightning protection systems may experience wear and tear, damage from environmental factors, or become outdated due to advancements in technology. Repairing and upgrading these systems is essential to maintain their functionality and ensure optimal protection against lightning strikes.
Signs that your lightning protection system may require repair include visible physical damage, such as broken or missing conductors, loose connections, corrosion, or components that have reached the end of their lifespan. Additionally, if you’ve experienced a lightning strike or severe weather event, it is important to have your system inspected and repaired if necessary.
The repair process typically involves a thorough inspection of the existing system to identify any damaged or malfunctioning components. These components are then repaired or replaced as needed, including conductors, ground rods, bonding connections, surge protectors, and other relevant parts. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified professional to ensure the repair work follows proper safety standards and guidelines.
Lightning protection systems should be upgraded when they no longer meet the latest industry standards or if they cannot adequately protect against the potential risks associated with lightning strikes. Upgrading may be necessary due to changes in building structures, electrical systems, or advancements in lightning protection technology.
Upgrading your lightning protection system can provide several benefits, including improved safety for occupants and valuable assets, enhanced structural protection against lightning-induced fires or damage, and potential insurance premium reductions. Additionally, modern systems may offer enhanced monitoring capabilities and integration with other building systems.
It is strongly recommended to consult with a professional lightning protection specialist for repairs and upgrades. Lightning protection systems involve complex electrical components and require expertise to ensure proper installation, compliance with safety standards, and effectiveness in lightning protection.
Regular inspections are recommended at least once every year to identify any potential issues and perform necessary repairs promptly. However, certain factors such as extreme weather events, nearby construction, or system modifications may require more frequent inspections and maintenance. Regular maintenance is also recommended, which includes checking connections, corrosion, and system integrity to ensure your lightning protection system continues to perform optimally.
Yes, there are industry standards and regulations that govern the design, installation, repair, and upgrading of lightning protection systems. In the United Kingdom, for example, British Standard BSEN62305 Lightning Protection, which provides guidelines for proper system installation and maintenance.
To find a qualified professional, you can search for experienced lightning protection companies or specialists in your area. Look for professionals who are knowledgeable about industry standards and regulations, have a track record of successful installations and repairs, and are properly licensed and insured. Additionally, seek recommendations from trusted sources or consult with your local building authority for referrals.
Service Areas
The South of England (Reading & Berkshire)
Woodley, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Bracknell, Newbury, Maidenhead, Slough
Greater London
All boroughs with same-day emergency response
Surrounding Counties
Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire
Get Your Free Consultation
Call: 0118 976 0239
Mobile: 07768 566889
Email: sales@earthingequipcom
Address: Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd, Lavender House, Church Lane, Arborfield Near Reading, RG2 9JA
