--- title: "After a Snowstorm, Make This the First Place You Clear" description: "As snow accumulates around the perimeter of your house, one spot is as dangerous as an icy walk: snow-covered exhaust vents." date: "2026-01-26" modified: "2026-01-26" authors: - name: "Kathleen Corlett" job_title: "Editor in Chief" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kathleen-corlett/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/clear-exhaust-vents-after-snowstorms/" categories: - "Exterior" tags: - "Snow & Ice" --- # After a Snowstorm, Make This the First Place You Clear ![Navy blue house covered in snow from a big snowfall]() *Photo: Kathleen Corlett for BobVila.com* Over this past weekend, at least 19 states saw a foot or more of snowfall, according to the [New York Times]()—and even more experienced some combination of snow and ice. (In my neck of the woods, outside of New York City, we got 16 inches in a day.) As snow accumulates around the perimeter of your house, one spot is as dangerous as an icy walk: snow-covered exhaust vents. Check that these three vents are clear of obstructions, especially after shoveling or snow blowing, which could inadvertently cover them. 1. **Gas-powered furnace exhaust vents** and **water heater vents.** Keep these clear to release carbon monoxide and other gas byproducts. 2. **Dryer vents.** Clogged dryer vents could hamper your appliance's performance (pun not intended) and trap lint that would otherwise be expelled, creating a fire hazard. Again, if yours is a gas-powered appliance, there's an additional risk of carbon monoxide gas backdrafting. 3. **Exterior gas meters**. Carefully brush these and any pipes leading to them off. [New Jersey's Public Service Electric & Gas Company]() cautions that damage to the meter or pipes may lead to leaks. These vents are typically located near the foundation wall or low on an exterior wall of the home closest to your furnace, water heater, dryer, or other gas appliance. ![Dryer exhaust vent on a navy home exterior in winter, unclogged even after snowstorm]() ![Windshield brush wipes light snow from dryer exhaust vent in winter]() When clearing snow, go slowly and work with a brush (I used the one on my car's snow brush) or a broom to uncover the vents and meters. Then clear a 2- to 3-foot radius to prevent obstructions. If you have icicles forming on any of these vents, try using a hair dryer plugged into an [outdoor-rated extension cord]() or a [portable power station](). Skip the shovel, ice scraper, or other hard objects, and do *not* attempt to break the ice, which could do more damage. Luckily, my old home has a unique setup where the boiler's and water heater's exhaust routes through a section of my chimney. But you can bet that I'll be watching other exterior vents closely in future winters and checking the batteries on my home's carbon monoxide detectors. ## Author As the editor-in-chief at BobVila.com, Kathleen Corlett is as passionate about crafting quality how-to guides for household projects as she is cleaning, organizing, and building DIY solutions for her own home in New York. She has worked on the BobVila.com team for 10 years; before that, Kathleen previously contributed to Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and Cleveland magazines. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]()